Hi,
I am interested in the historical development of Track Geometry Cars and I am writting this mail from the top of Europe.
AT&SF were quite early and progressive in this particular field of technology, this in compare with most European and North American railroads. The AT&SF track geometry car measured rail alignment, gauge, rail joints, etc.
The demands from Santa Fe regarding the functionality of measuring equipment, quality of the measurement result as well as the introduction of the gyroscope is probably the reason (I would guess) why Elmer A. Sperry entered into the railroad business and still today have quite a success with their railroad maintenance equipment product range.
Santa Fe did install measurement and recording equipment in a business car with an observation platform. The gyroscope were supplied and developed by Sperry as he owned the Sperry Gyroscope Co. until 1929. The car was commisioned in the fall of 1925. The car had 6-wheel bogies.
What I am looking for is the
• the car number,
• a drawing, side view and floor plan,
• a picture of this business car with observation platform selected by Santa Fe and used for the purpose of track inspection and
• which year this Track Geometry car were taken out of service
Anyone who may have an answer?
I would be most grateful to anyone who can help me with an answer or direct me to a museum, source or any archive which may have information.
Regards
Per