A Rail Speeder Adventure

Ride the rails with us in a rail speeder (also called a motor car), a quirky and fascinating hobby.

[@b3j8]

I remember every railroad around where I lived used Speeders in the early 70's. Some had little trailers that carried tools, railroad ties, other stuff. Glad I got to see that era before the sun set!

[@Max_Marz]

That's pretty cool that the railroad's let you do that and even help out. Guess good people are still out there.

[@waynewarren665]

While working on the QNS&L railroad in 1963,64 &65 we used the m19 and A5 as a means of travel.Brings back a lot of good memories.Thanks for it.

[@slorznovitch]

Safety First - Men Grilling Priceless! Great program Bill!

[@HighOnLife1985]

These things beat having an RV. Seriously, this man found room on that car to bring a personal grill.

[@davedeiler2072]

Looks like great fun! I am totally amazed that the railroad allows cooperates and helps you to make use of their main line tracks that are sil in operation A big thumbs up to the railroads too

[@alcopower5710]

Agree......I'm shocked that the rr company helps and even allows this. Props to them as this is so cool

[@kelliethorne1200]

Just a guess, but I'm sure money exchanged hands somewhere along the line.

[@thephantom1492]

@@kelliethorne1200 I don't think money got exchanged, but the RR fans can be quite vocal, like any fans, and can and does help the RR compagny by being their citizens voice for legislations and issues. It is a PR thing that cost them little to nothing. Chance is that the people they posted were RR fans and were volunteering. RR compagny don't have a so good reputation, so this is a cheap way to raise the population view on them.

[@basimpsn]

I work for the railroad and I would be terrified riding in one of those rail cars lol. You guys really love riding the rails...I wish I had the same passion as you do....Very cool and interesting video..2 thumbs up.

[@HighOnLife1985]

If anything, donations and sponsorship at least must make this possible

[@urbanloverman]

Great story Bill and a real memory blast for me as I used to be a Railway Signalling Electrician in the South Australian Railways back in the 70's. In South Australia we used to call them Quads and these were the exact same vehicles, imported from America we used to drive along the country tracks to do our maintenance checks. The sound of the wheels on the rails and the sound of the engine are permanently embedded into my subconscious as a happy memory that you revived. Thanks Mate. Cheers and beers, Pete

[@aftabkhanize]

May God keep you all Healthy and Happy. You guys are fantastic the REAL Americans and it is because of you people and your humanity the whole world loves America.

[@Ascertivus]

A whole brigade of rail speeders; I have never seen anything like it before! I love it.

[@kutzbill]

Such a great job of restoring this unit. I spent a lot of time on the weekends riding track from Galesburg IL. to Peoria IL, (About 46 miles). The road master asked if I'd work the weekends riding track and I jumped at the chance. I didn't have enough seniority to keep doing it in the winter, but I enjoyed riding the track in the speeder. It wasn't nearly as nice as this one, but it served the purpose very well. We had an Onan engine in it, but changed it to a Wisconsin because the Wisconsin had 32 HP and was a 4 cyl. It could pull a cart with tools and supplies better, and our Onan service every 200 hours was kind of a pain. Again, great job restoring it, and thanks for posting.

[@tonyj.aviles4491]

Had a smile on my face the whole time while watching this....Thank you!

[@jonasgranberg4228]

Kol

[@Cheshyre.]

Me, too!

[@markakin3742]

Me too!

[@Scotford_Maconochie]

How about your profile photo?

[@eds1994fatboy]

Man....and to think this one guy I met in St.John Indiana in about 1982 had two of these he wanted out of his back yard.They were complete ,well only one ran and was clean and .....I thought.....gosh ....what would I do with something like this and where could I store it.He said....take them both.....free.At the time I was renting and had no ideas....let alone....knew where I could use them.Now I would almost kill for one.The one most complete Freemont was a single cylander 2 stroker.I mean the guy was almost begging me to get them out of his sight.Acually his wife wanted them out...but if I would have just known......I would have been set......lol

[@richardbrevitz9827]

That would be a lot of fun to go around and see how the history on the rare runs in one of those

[@awizardalso]

I just posted that I did get to ride one in Orrville Ohio a few years back.

[@thomasgasaway5068]

Brings back lots of memories of the 1970's when I was a motor car man . The riding was great but the stopping todo the repairs was rough for just two men. I am very grateful for those that are keeping the motorcars alive and well.

[@miguelsaavedra4361]

This video was worth to watch for people who actually like railroads and train rides for speed and fun.

[@chickmcgee3515]

My uncle (rip) rode one of these 6 days a week for 35 yrs on the Mopac, repairing crossings, turnouts and anything else that needed fixed.

[@jonfromstearns]

There are two Fairmont speeders in use on the Kentucky and Tennessee Railway, in my hometown. Our little coal hauling railroad turned tourist attraction can't justify the expense and upkeep of a Ford F-250 hi-rail or a Chevy Silverado hi-rail. It keeps us old timers full of nostalgia and remembering yesteryear. Great video, Bill. I smiled the whole time.

[@the.porter.productions]

I recently took my family to the roundhouse up in Sugarcreek, Ohio. I noticed that they had some speeders there, but no one seemed to think they were for sale when I inquired about them. I had seen speeders through the years and noticed that they disappeared at some point. I’ve been interested in owning one and have made some more inquiries. I live in central Ohio and there are a lot of train enthusiasts around, so I hope to be able to get one someday. Thanks! It looks like a lot of fun. Porter Dude.

[@geoffdearth8575]

This is one of the coolest things imaginable.

[@steviedoubleu1844]

I had no Idea how much interest these little vehicles attract. Great that the railroad companies give their support to your hobby. Sadly, this probably wouldn't work here in the UK for various reasons, so looks like I'll have to emigrate!!

[@MrAustruck]

I was ordered to do 200 hours community work on the Puffing Billy Railway, A historical tourist line here in Victoria (Australia) steam, I would arrive each morning and jump in a crazy little diesel platform rail car thing and zoom off into the rainforest to spray the foliage and clear small landslides or just ride along checking everything, At the time it was horrible slave labour, Now years later I reminisce about the experience

[@BCUMF03]

lots of fun to watch. i operated the single cylinder two stroke fairmont speeders for over 20 years. property tuned they started easily even at minus 40 degrees. we went to the twin flathead Ohin two speed chain drive speeders about 1988 or so, and to the Dodge Dakota trucks with railaid wheels in 1995 if I remember right. The speeders handled the track a lot better than the hyrail trucks but it was very nice to have HEATERS that actually worked.

[@jonfromstearns]

Back during the late summer of 1998, a few of your members came to Stearns, Kentucky, and did a weekend trip down the Kentucky and Tennessee Railway. I had spare time to kill that weekend and hung out with a few of those guys. I was very impressed and got hooked immediately. Unfortunately, I haven't obtained my own speeder yet, but some day I will. I'm a lifelong railfan and this hobby compliments my railfan hobby. Loved your video.

[@1978garfield]

Looks like a lot of fun. You have a fancy one. The older ones changed direction buy running the motor backwards.

[@wixom01]

"Ooh, this one's nice!", rofl. You just can't make that up, what perfect timing. Sure looks like fun. Thanks for posting, triple thumbs up!!!

[@James_Knott]

I rode on one of those once. I used to be a telecommunications technician with Canadian National and back in the mid 70s worked in Northern Ontario. As my work often took me to the middle of nowhere, along the track, I'd arrange for rides on freight trains. However, on one occasion, my ride was one of these. One thing I recall was the screen door type of latch, with a long bar, the width of the door. It was just in case it was necessary to get out in a hurry. I've forgotten where it was that I got on, but it was over an hour back to Capreol, where I got off.

[@traingeek087]

It is cool that you have a picture of it in service, not many people do of their cars. As far as the two stroke, the guy was starting it incorrectly. I have ran two strokes in the winter months plenty of times and never had this problem. It's all in how you do it. Only other scenario would be if his crank seals are bad or worn out. He needs to invest in a manual and learn the correct way. Nice video though, would like to make it out there sometime in the next year or two. Thank you for posting.

[@jp-um2fr]

I'm from that tiny island where railways started. There are hundreds, mabe thousands of steam trains still running as heritage locomotives. There is even a new one - Tornado. These little Rail Speeder cars are a wonderful way to get a days fun. We don't have anything like them. So who is going to be the first to fit some monster Ford V8 - I jest (I hope). Take care. Gawd - those burgers looked good.

[@nicholascremato]

This is fantastic! A truly American hobby!

[@jaredstanfield9005]

and they were great inspection vehicles, much better than what they have today, from a visual standpoint, you could see every spike. jared stanfield norfolk southern retired

[@nodak81]

God damn it, that macaroni salad made my mouth start watering! It's 5 am here and all I have to eat in my bedroom is my cat. Love picnics and cookouts, fond memories.

[@jaredstanfield9005]

brings back fond and not so fond memories, was tough going in a blizzard.

[@robertlannon]

What a beauty the 8003....thank you for this while older video still timely.....it brings memories to me of riding the Providence & Worcester Budd car from Lonsdale RI to Worcester Mass....circa 1954....oh to see the wonders of nature up close in the truly wild environment....

[@kenhampshire4996]

Very cool. I worked for the Soo Line out of Pigs Eye in St. Paul, MN in the early 90's.

[@brianfoster7794]

Bill Have only just seen your video it’s so awesome,really enjoyed your journey, you are so lucky we do not have anything like this in the UK 🇬🇧 . The feeling of freedom must be immense on these journeys, love your speeder it looks great 👍 and a lot quitter than some of the other ones the engine sounded very smooth.👍👍👍👍👍

[@ComputerLearning0]

This would be so much fun and very relaxing way to see the countryside.

[@eliterry3785]

This is a charming video. Made me consider looking into this hobby a bit deeper. Thanx for posting!

[@MrJimmybgood]

oh yea I remember seeing them in my youth. my dad worked for the uprr in the 1960s we called them put put cars because of the sound they made going down the track. thank you for sharing great video.

[@tdgreenbay]

I miss the railroads that used to be running especially the Milwaukee Road that ran by my place in northeastern wisconsin. They used to park one of those and the cars that they pulled in Forest Junction, WI. It was neat till Wisconsin Central tore the tracks out

[@Wooburnmusic]

Absolutely yes ! Just wish I was there to enjoy it for real. 🙂👍🇬🇧

[@pauljason632]

When I was a little boy we would see these come through our town, when I saw them and heard them, we would call them putt putt cars,because of the sound they made while running on the railroad.

[@ChrisG3253032]

That looks so fun!. Sunny day's a bonus, but even if it's raining I reckon I'd love it, unroll the door flap and turn on the wipers. Thanks for sharing, being in New Zealand I've never seen these cool wee rail cars before. 👍

[@larryfisher5796]

I'm 78 years old I remember them as a kid and old steam engines we lived a 1/2 block from the tracks .the rail guys would give us kids short rides .fun times .☺️

[@josephcheeseinthepie6915]

What a joy it must be to own a rail speeder! It would be cool to have one of my own, either custom built or restored. I would prefer the latter, because it would be a piece of railroad history. This was a great video!

[@joeestes8114]

This looked like a great way to spend a day!

[@paulbetka1803]

Interesting.. especially with so many lines ending. Trains running nowhere. MICH has one in Mount Clemens . Mi. Transit museum. 👍👍

[@profgyland2]

This is genuine fun and I wish I would be able to make a trip on such a contraption. Simply adorable and so much better than motor car travel. Good on you, and lucky you! Well done.

[@bsimpson6204]

Wow, what fun! and what a way to spend the weekend!

[@bruceghent8776]

I use to work for a company that made and scrapped rail speeders, Sylvester Steel Products in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dealt with many old Fairmonts as well, way back in 1973-1974.

[@RogerDiotte]

Back in the day, I actually rode these up in Canada at work...our work gang had a bunch of these with some motorcars pulling a train up to 3 more motorless carriages to carry up to 12 employees in a consist! LOL what a great memory to see these running!

[@NigelMarston]

Biggest collection of geeks and nerds I've seen in ages. I'd fit right in. Love it..!! I've even got the same Weber BBQ. 😃

[@ferroviedeltrentino2300]

Great to see old rails living!

[@MrJimmybgood]

i think back as a boy in the 1960s my dad worked for the union pacific railroad, we called these (put put cars )because they made a put put sound going down the tracks.

[@tbirdracefan]

Man, that looks like 17 kinds of fun! Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisdono7427]

This is a great video. Bill I live in Brooklyn New York and these would be really awesome to tool around here. All of our freight lines are intertwined throughout the entire city. I think it would be a great weekend. Again thanks for the video

[@sparkymarkm322]

I seem to remember them being called track speeders... possibly a regional or an AT&SF thing. Anyway they were always fun to watch!

[@rs6383]

Absolute awesomeness. Brings back memories as a kid staying at my grandparents during school break. We referred to them as "put-put" cars as for the noise they made. Would like to find a prodject speeder at a reasonable cost to buy. I have a G scale railroad set & just purchased a Canadian Pacific speeder. It's pretty cool, I must say. Thanks for sharing the video. It is greatly appreciated.

[@ericperkins3078]

Check out Ozark Mountain Railcar. They usually have a few available.

[@thevacuumtubejunky9774]

Beautiful piece of machinery. I remember seeing those when I was young. Huell Howser who had a documentary show here in California, "California's Gold" produced a half hour show featuring a club putting around in those. Awesome job on the restoration, thanks for sharing. kind regards! Eric Dee.

[@markfrench8892]

Use to own a Western Pacific MT-14. I'm sorry now that I got rid of it. Great video!!

[@LectronCircuits]

You guys are very well trained. Cheers!

[@cliffandrews]

You guys are having too much fun. I need to build one of those along with a second car as a camper.

[@CDaisy-tp7hw]

Growing up back in the 50's we called them Putt-Putt cars. They were the two-cycle, hit-or-miss engines that really did go "putt-putt."

[@garyholt4445]

They have these in Australia too but are called service cars. Australia also has dedicated owners as we see in this video. There are not so many abandoned railway lines over here. Often as soon as a line is closed parts of the line are ripped up to be used for other purposes such as rail trails or redevelopment.

[@ruffian2952]

When I started in Boston in the late 1960s called "motor handcars" In January or February 1970 I was called to "flag" a move from the Boston Freight Terminal to Northrup Avenue Yard in Providence. In the intervening 50 years I was never so frigging cold. The operator one of the hardiest sectionmen I ever met. Lots more fun to plow stone in the summer.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing your experience and video. Your narration has been educational as I learned about NARCOA recently. I believe that I am definitely developing a new Bucket List Item 😏🤩

[@tommyboy71]

Miss the old motor cars working the Milwaukee Road 1970s.

[@robertlafnear4865]

I WANT ONE ! Looks like a bunch more fun than driving.

[@Geordo1960]

Those things are Gems!

[@LeonAllanDavis]

They corner like they're on rails...

[@Rebel9668]

Would love to see a speeder video on CSX's Southern Indiana Sub between New Albany and Bedford, IN. The track is officially still open although I haven't seen but 1 locomotive on it in over 2 years now and I live close enough to hear if one goes by.

[@dustbowlhammer7119]

Speeders used to go by my house as a kid! Always wondered where they were going and tried to imagine what it was like! thanks!

[@shanenewton8560]

In AOTEAROA (LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD) NEW ZEALAND, as a grommet,( young fella)school holidays rode rail inspections with my uncle...called Jiggers back in the day...weren't enclosed like these, but the freedom experienced, Yeah, great memories, working on the railroads..

[@UTubeGlennAR]

A Beautifuly Restored Picnic Speeder with a Telescoping BBQ Grill Table, Vary Cool...... Thanks for the Ride, BBQed Burger and Potato Salad...........

[@CaliforniaFly]

That video put a big smile on my face! I'll check out the website.

[@ariessmith3407]

Bbq and railroading....a winning combination

[@awizardalso]

I got to ride one in Orrville, Ohio along with my son and a group of Boy Scouts. We rode on a spur line from downtown out to the mainline where we stopped and turned around and came back.

[@speedmachine69]

Love what you guys do, from a boat on the Hauraki gulf in Auckland New Zealand..... good style!

[@ChrisandEileen]

I just came across this video.. all these years later.. Would be a ball of fun to do something like this. Great video !

[@blackhawks81H]

This is amazing though. Super cool that railroads allow this.

[@DMACHOLMAN]

I remember seeing them as a kid and wishing I could go for a ride in one. As an adult I would love to help restore one. I'm always curious as to if I could learn to build or repair something they look awesome

[@darrellfolk5284]

Awesome Video! I found this video after just watching some speedster go by my work on a short line in Pennsylvania called The Lycoming Valley line. (Williamsport Pa) i find this hobby one I'd like to do in the future

[@drivingottawa]

Great video. So interesting to see these cars.

[@memphismoney8463]

Wow! I never knew. Great video!☺🚂🚂🚂🚂id love to see alot of the hidden beautiful back country too!

[@rodneydaub3812]

We had a few in the town I grew up in. They were exclusively called "put put cars" though, because of the unique 2 cycle engine they had's sound

[@ncc74656m]

This is so awesome. :) Things I wish I could do. (I live in lower NYS, so almost all the abandoned rails around here have been converted by the Rails to Trails project. As a cyclist, it's great, but as a growing rail enthusiast, not so great.)

[@cpufreak101]

+katie_incredible converted into trails? wow, i'm in NY and most of the rails here get ripped up by some very dedicated people but don't even get converted into trails, nature just takes over

[@ncc74656m]

+Justin Noker Yeah, it's happening across the country, called the Rails to Trails program.

[@cpufreak101]

katie_incredible it does suck for railroad enthusiasts, but the majority always takes over the minority unfortunately, perhaps you could start a change.org petition to save a couple of lines for enthusiasts

[@ncc74656m]

+Justin Noker Well, there is the dual problem of nowhere near enough interest to support a petition, and the lack of funding to maintain the rails.

[@cpufreak101]

katie_incredible you'd be surprised, and you'd be surprised what you can do off donations, like the USS constitution is being maintained just with money from donations

[@paulbetka2966]

INTERESTING 🚂🚂🚂🚂 KEEP O N RAILING 👍👍👍❗❗❗

[@robertwalton7307]

grew up in the 50's next to a B+M line. We called them putt-putts at minute 5.50 you'll know why.The B+M converted to Jeep cab overs in the late 50's for 'putt-putt" use.

[@cheesyrider6914]

We called them Putt Putts when we were kids.Workers gave me a ride in one once and we hit a cat,almost derailed us.

[@lukuscarter3563]

Nice to see people enjoying themselves.

[@justinratcliffe947]

I'd be too scared to work, at least by myself, around one of these. Not because of railroad dangers but because Im afraid a werewolf will come and rip my head off.

[@jamesfrommanitoba6363]

What a cool hobby, beautiful job restoring her as well.

[@gregc6661]

Love the way Americans preserve their history, well done and enjoy!

[@smokeydoke100]

That's quite an adventure. I'd love to ride along sometime.

[@jimmyhuesandthehouserocker1069]

Boy, I'd love to do this, if only I could. Although, I find it hard to believe, that the railroads would actually give somebody permission, unless your brother in law was a head honcho or something similar

[@DonB.-Mulefivefive]

You guys are outstanding! Keep it up!! From the land of the Big White Mountain Goat, ( that's Great Northern to the unknowing ).

[@froggie6608]

That looks like a lot of fun, love the little deck for your grill!

[@lockudlad]

Didn't quiet know what I'd make of this but found it oddly entertaining. Thanks guys.

[@sebastianfs3825]

this looks so fun, such a chill hobby

[@john15207]

they are the neatest little cars it be fun to ride in that

[@johnnyjames7139]

My friend Ken has built 3 of them in 5" scale 15" gage. They have served for decades on private scale railways in California.

[@insylem]

When I was a kid in the 1990s the local rail measume operated them. I heard them called "Gandy Dancers"

[@sludge4125]

No, a Gandy Dancer is a person.

[@RavensUrsa]

This looks so spectacularly fun!

[@douro20]

They have something similar to speeders on the so-called "bamboo railway" in Cambodia. These are simple flatbed rail cars which are made of wood or steel and have bamboo platforms. They are powered by small gas or diesel engines and can go at a pretty good clip.