Can someone please tell me what the speeders was used for? Are they available in HO scale?
I have no clue as to “speeders” when it comes to Trains.
When I see a post that has no replys, I try and let the poster know that at least I read they post and tried to come up with a reply. Sorry that I could not be of more help.
I hope some one here has an answer for you.
ennout
Speeders are the small self-propelled cars used to transport maintenance-of-way workers, which replaced handcars beginning in the early 1900s. They were particularly important for the Rio Grande, since so much of its lines were not accessible by road. Nowadays, their role is often played by vehicles with hi-rail equipment, which have sets of wheels that lower and allow the vehicle to run on the rails. So their use is generally much rarer now since the 1970s.
Speeders allow track workers to inspect the track and move personnel and small equipment, often towed on small, non-powered carts, to locations needing work. They can be relatively easily set off the track to allow trains to pass. On the remaining narrowgauge lines that are still operated for tourists, speeders often proceed the train to check for fallen rocks, etc and follow along behind to check for fires that might be started due to sparks from steam locos.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Ahhhh, motor cars. One of my first loves. I have been on a few runs, and they are VERY addicting. I was running a former Espee MT-19A with a full cab. Just check out the link below, and if you decide you want one, check with Brown Rail Equipment in Granite City Illinois.
mlehman: Excellent answer,superb information. I found the question almost impossible to believe that someone doesn’t know what they are or had no idea of it’s use(ennout) I guess they don’t have speeders in Europe? they also have many nick-names for these motorized cars.
Thanks a lot for the very good information Mike, appreciated.
Back to one of the original questions, the Walthers one is the only on that I can athink of off the top of my head. The custom finishing car is a more “modern” Canadian style car (pumpkin).
Yes we have speeders but they are not called that. They are called ‘dressin’ in Sweden.
We also have motorized ones.
Looks like a velocipede on steroids. Really cool!!!
A model speeder would be an interesting project–one could theoretically take that little Bachmann motorized “handcar” thing, rip off the miniatures and build a Walthers non-powered speeder body around it.
Sounds interesting. Can you please point me to the Bachman handcar so I can look at it.
This may not be the ideal site,but it was a quick search: http://www.bachmann.co.uk/prod1.php4?prod_selected=americanho&prod=42
It’s not pictured (sorry), and Bachmann calls it a “gandy dancy” and the stock # is 46202. Looks like it goes for about 18 pnds in England.
Similar small vehicles are made by BRAWA.
http://www.brawa.de/produkte.php3?sprache=1&prwahl1=1&prwahl2=2&kategorieid=26
I don’t know how they sell in US.
Speeders came in many styles and varieties, For some interesting rigs , check out the speeders used by Logging railroads.
Speeders were used by more than just RR personal in remote area’s.
They could have been used for passengers, supplies being brought to remote area’s, emergency medical attention might have brought a Dr by speeder or an injured man to town.
Telegraphand or telephone lines run along right of ways may have seen linesman in a speeder contracted by the telephone company.
Bridge engineers may have been brought to inspect a remote location,
The list of the many wonderful uses of this little gem of a pice of MOW equipment is staggering.
You might want to check Prceision Scale for kits in HO, another consideration is using the chassis of a gas mechanical as a foundation to build on.
How about a 1929 Ford Model A Sedan chopped with a stakeside bed added atop a lil critter chassis.It would move passengers, VIP’s and even hold tools and supplies 
Bachmann also has a HO Spectrum speeder with two trailers.
I’m restoring an SP SPM 5806 Fairmont A-4. It has the 198 CID Ford four banger, 4 speed with reverse manual transmission and a Hi/Lo range differential.