Is this the world’s most unusual locomotive? It’s a Western Star truck made in the USA, shipped to Victoria, Australia in 1995.
Anonymous: Neat! This is not the first time such a thing has been used. In the early 20 th century farm tractors were converted to rail use by installing rail wheels. These beasts were used in the logging industry. Check out the web for photos of them.
Not sure how this post ended up as Anonymous’ as I just submitted it.
Anyhow, I can’t believe the power of that truck, the freight loads are not exactly small. Must say something for Western Star trucks.
It would make for a very interesting addition to a layout., not sure how that could be done as I’m very new to this business. Any thoughts?
I’ve seen something like this before, but in maintenance service, with a road/rail capable truck with couplers mounted on it hauling up to a half-dozen flatcars or gondolas loaded with track maintenance supplies.
They’re used by maintenance crews doing trackwork, not for hauling actual trians.
I’ve never seen one on the main line but have seen similar rigs switching at industries in both Roseville CA and Bakersfirld CA.
In the 1970/80’s a company called Washburn Agriculture Service had a spray rig made from a concentional tractor pulling a semi trailer. The trailler had a cabover cab mounted on it from where theb spray equipment was controlled. In the mid 80’s I saw it equiped as a hi-rail spraying weeds on the Southern Pacific.
That;s basucally a trackmobile, and 8 cars is not bad for a trackmobile to handle. Trackmobiles have been in service since the 30s I think as industrial switchers. There were also road tractors, which had couplers and a guide system, but actually worked on pavement, not rails. I bet those cars are lighter than a box or a hopper car.
TOFC anyone? I caught this on the Iowa Interstate many years ago. It was an experiment that didn’t pan out.
http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/ABPhotos/AIOtmp
Jeff
Some pictures of one on the CPR. I believe they may have been first developed for a prairie short line but CP and others realised their value for maintenance of way service.
