Railcart walk around and wheel explanation.

A short walk around my railcart.

[@Tx.La-Z-Boy]

I used to have one of these about 15 years ago. Mine was made of pipe, and was much like a go cart with fixed wheels ( no Steering) and we used go cart wheels, with slicks, and on the inside side of the wheel we bolted plow discs,through the 4 holes in the wheel halves, and it worked great. Nice and smooth and quiet, we were threatened with prison if we did it again, so we disassembled it. Mine ran a 3 horse Briggs, and it went about 25-30 mph. I used an oil filter wrench around the clutch as a band brake, and had a gas pedal like a go cart. It was much fun. The problem was that we were on a live rail, no abandoned rails around here, but it was very rusty so it was never used, but they were very stern about trespassing on it just the same .

[@Spgonahan]

What a bunch of killjoys.

[@timwrich5128]

That 1-in shaft is 40 or $50 at a garage door parts store.. residential torsion shafts are hollow, but commercial are solid with a keyway.. and if you get one that's under 7 ft, they might throw it at you for free because it's not really usable since typically 95% of garage doors are at least 7 ft wide and thus require about 7 and 1/2 ft shaft length

[@PottScilgrim]

This is so cool man! Thanks for the detailed description of everything. Some old school engineering genius.

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks for checking it out

[@FrankWoodJr]

DAAAMMM !!!!!.... THIS IS A BAD ASS LITTLE MOTOR SCOOTER👌👍

[@Aco747lyte]

Very well made with lots of thought going in before things got screwed down. Brilliant build, cool and I think the wheels and that one extended axle you showed is genius! Have lots of joyful railcarting for 2024! ❤🌻

[@USCBeastmode]

This is super duper amazing and all I can think is, how many amazing memories you and your daughter are going to have riding around on that! So cool 😎 👍🏼

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks! Yes, I hope she will remember these times.

[@doubled1425]

@@ryanrandomness Believe me, she will ALWAYS remember riding this with you. I always told my dad that "I will love you forever daddy". And I do. Sure do miss him.

[@spikeaus5834]

Thanks Mike I think a lot of us would like more detail on the wheel construction. Maybe make a wheel and film it. So have someone who knows what to film as you have your hands free and can talk us through it. Do a practice run first before you use the expensive polyurethane products. Really like this idea and would like to see how you went about getting the camber on the ‘flat’ of the wheel. That’s the secret of your success. Spike in Sydney Aus.

[@wrthrash]

Such crazy fun, I'd have to take this up several notches w aluminum frame, cargo area.

[@youruptownlowdown7745]

Rubber mount that engine! Surprized your axle mounts don't stress and splinter fx wood! Geat hobby! Thx for the video's!

[@edp2260]

At 12:40 : A live axle is required. That is the what makes real train 'steer'. The way it works is that both wheels on the axle turn at the same rate. The cone shape of the wheels cause the wheel set to 'steer' (known a 'hunting') towards a balanced condition. If the tracks are straight ahead, then both wheels must advance the same distance per turn. If the wheel set has slid to one side, the wheel that is riding the rail close to the flange is slightly larger in diameter at the point it is contacting the rail, and the other wheel is riding on the rail a it's smaller diameter, owing to the taper, or 'cone shape' of the wheels. This has the effect of causing the 'larger' diameter wheel (the one that is riding on the rail close to it's flange) to push slightly in the forward direction, and the other wheel that is riding the rail on it's smaller diameter part to 'drag' slightly in the rearward direction. This causes the wheel set to steer towards an equilibrium condition. This is what keeps trains on the track. The flanges are insurance. Good job building those wheels! Love your video. I want a speeder!

[@ryanrandomness]

You explained that way better than I ever could. Thanks for checking it out!

[@timgiles9413]

If I remember right from my past research, the taper angle is 5 degrees. Great explanation of how train wheels steer around curves and that the flange is for insurance only to keep it from derailing. The flange should rarely touch the rail (you can always add 1 more degree of angle :)

[@joepeckham5064]

this absolutely epic man, ingenious. human engineering at its finest

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks for checking it out

[@TeslaTales59]

In addition to brakes, might be good to have a front bumper to protect the deck from unseen track debris or weeds.

[@matts1166]

I was thinking of doing one of these using an old moped from the junkyard. I was thinking of using pneumatic wheels for ride comfort, but having skateboard wheels mounted horizontally as guide wheels to keep the cart on the track, rollercoaster style.

[@lindsaymac7333]

Have seen 2 coarse-toothed Saw-Blades forward-attached to cut the weeds

[@iamgriff]

@@matts1166 I like the bicycle skateboard wheel idea.

[@ur808mate]

I always wanted to ride the rails with something simple and homemade like this since I was young and read my first huck finn story! wouldn’t mind the hand crank type either, actually! But alas: next life for me! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Have more adventures with your kids!

[@ryanrandomness]

Never too late

[@mrkraymnd]

Sounds like it was fun to build and really fun to ride - rock on

[@ryanrandomness]

More adventures to come

[@editorreilly]

Sweet!!! Thanks for showing us your build.

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks

[@wingnutbert9685]

For the motor vibration, perhaps try rubber door stops for the motor to sit on. Or a dense neoprene pad under it, like one of those gardening knee pads or a sleeping pad for tent camping. Maybe valve springs (?) out of a car engine, cut to height needed, captured with the motor mount bolts though them. 🙂👍

[@Curtis_H]

Be cool , add swivel to the seats and add a tav2 gear box with reverse . Get away from picking the cart up from turning it around. Might be cool 😎. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ryanrandomness]

Definitely thinking about a gearbox.

[@jbevill4085]

If you leave a small amount of slack in the chain that drum clutch will last longer. Also take it apart and clean it every now and then. You can typically replace the bearings in them too instead of just buying a new clutch. We use them kart racing a lot.

[@wingnutbert9685]

Maybe adding a tension idler pulley too?

[@adamhurm]

Really interesting and descriptive. Thanks for sharing!

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks

[@geraldlrstubbs]

Yes, the wheels should be slightly conical up towards the flange. The rails will then run up the cone as far as they can, and they both find the same position on the wheels. As the rails go in and out of perfect gauge, they stay in the same position on each wheel. So normally there is no banging on the flanges.

[@ryanrandomness]

I tried to put a 3% grade on the wheels. They do walk a little but they work great.

[@timgiles9413]

@@ryanrandomness That's what I remember, 5%-6% taper

[@wingnutbert9685]

@@ryanrandomness The diameter of the wheels may also factor into the angle of the wheel surface. Smaller wheel may need steeper angle. Just a rando thought. :)

[@matthewholzinger1042]

Looks like the pillow blocks have holes to add grease fittings. Also you can rotate the recoil starter so it's easier to pull from behind.

[@faen2981]

Great idea and execution, well done 👍

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks

[@Edelce]

you are one quirky mad man and i love all of this

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks!

[@azmje80]

Pretty awesome! I'm in Arizona and I work with a youth group. I've been looking for a project we can work on together, and this is going to be it. We're going to build a few of these, pack them up, and go camp out away from everyone. They'll remember this their whole lives. I was going to ask you for links to places that sell parts, but it looks like you've already responded to others with the same question. Thanks!

[@ryanrandomness]

Really cool! There's some great tracks to ride in Arizona.

[@robingamel9788]

Chain link roller wheels like for a gate. Love this , thanks.

[@andrewrussack8647]

The coning of the wheel is critical to the steering characteristics of the vehicle. You were right to provide some coning.

[@the_lost_navigator7266]

The steel axles with the keyway may have been part of a metalworking lathe, used to drive the saddle along the bed. They wear and need replacing sometimes.

[@texdog2772]

Great idea on wheels.

[@nafcd]

you guys are so lucky to be able to access abandoned tracks. i am in new zealand and no way we would be allowed anywhere near abandoned tracks. not that there are many here. most disused lines get ripped up

[@4KVin]

After watching a couple of your other videos, I am glad I found this one! Really nice to see your explanation here. The cutting board wheel was my favorite part 😂

[@ryanrandomness]

Yeah early prototype lol

[@4KVin]

@@ryanrandomness 😂😂😂

[@ThinkerOnTheBus]

Yes, conical wheels help the train, or cart in this case, to stay centered on the track. However, an even more vital function that the cone-shaped wheels provide is allowing the inside wheel to travel a bit slower than the outside wheel when traveling on a curved section of track. The centripetal force on a train when making a turn will force its wheels towards the outer rail. Hence, the location of where the rail contacts the wheel will be closer to the flange, and the location of contact of rail to wheel on the inner wheel will be farther away from the flange. Thus, this will compensate for the difference in distance traveled in a turn between the outer, and the inner wheels. The outer wheel which is closer to the flange is making contact at a point that has a larger circumference, and the point of contact for the inner wheel is at a point with a smaller circumference. Therefore, the distance traveled by the outer wheel for every complete rotation of the axle will be greater than the distance traveled by the inner wheel. Basically, it functions like a differential, but without a system of gears that allows half of the axle to rotate at a different rate than the other half of the axle. With trains, the axle rotates at the same rate from one side all the way to the other side, and it is the difference in the circumference of the wheels at the point of contact that allows for a difference in distance traveled.

[@timgiles9413]

I made my wheels with a 6.75-degree angle/slope for a lot of curved tracks. It will wear eventually to a lesser degree angle over time. I believe that 3 degrees is optimal.

[@stanleybest8833]

Aluminum axles would save you a lot of weight. For brakes, glue leather to aluminum. It's very durable and even more replaceable. Leather suede likes to brake on aluminum. Four brake springs and a trip handle to actuate drag in a snap would work. Seat bottoms could be high density foam with leather stapled over them.

[@sergiodias8068]

Parabéns pelo carrinho, eu fiz um também é ficou show!

[@CarsonNolt-wq7sx]

Surplus Center has a 6 ft axle too. They're located in Lincoln Nebraska.

[@oapv22]

Thanks for the in depth analysis, do you possibly have a link where I can find wheels like those? If not I'll do my own research 😜

[@ryanrandomness]

www.gopowersports.com/one-piece-live-axle-wheel-for-6-tires/ I know I've found them for $19 or $20 before but prices for everything have been going up

[@kellyschutte3893]

Awesome vid starting one soon and using a bunch of your ideas

[@damanyocum149]

Very cool and nice railcar video!

[@TomPauls007]

Wow - covered it all, dude! As you said, though, a small sheet of steel under the mill would give it added strength w/o too much weight gain.

[@americanpatriotism1776]

Seriously that is awesome 👌!!!

[@bigdamij]

Thanks dude. Keep it up.

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks

[@solexxx8588]

Put another pillow block inside the motor on the bottom to take the flex out of the axle. The flange should be taller the faster you go.

[@ryanrandomness]

I thought about it

[@pappysproductions]

great video.

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks

[@miked7011]

That last wheel there looks like a scaffolding wheel. Not surprised it failed quickly, they are built more for withstanding weight rather than spinning.

[@robertdavis5714]

Seen your video on the Tracks at Eagle Mountain, looks like fun to me, will pay $$$$$$$ for a Ride.

[@donberry6079]

Thanks for a very good video and good design. I have some questions: Why such relatively small wheels? Is it because of cost? How do you protect the drive chain and teeth from debris, sand and grit? What about rocks or large debris between the rails? How to avoid them? Any guess as to miles/gallon of gas? Comment: I would have varnished or painted all wood surfaces to protect from wear and weather, and used Rustoleum on the axles to protect from rust. More videos please, keep them coming.

[@thomascorbett2936]

Nice but I think the center area should be much higher, there's always weeds growing up from the middle of the tracks . Or make the wheels much bigger around .

[@billbrown1476]

I know you are trying to keep you cost low, but I think a welded aluminum frame is the way to go. Hope you have many safe, fun trips.

[@thomaswestbrook7468]

Best bugout vehicle ever for the escape from LA apocalypse, just needs a trailer for more gear🤔

[@catmanflorida2839]

very cool. Yes the wheels are not flat, there is a small angle/taper to them and the track is not flat either, it has a peak in the center and tapered down on both sides. since both wheels have the same angled/tapered surface, the peak on the track will now make the wheels track on the same spot on the tapered surface.

[@timgiles9413]

An actual train wheel angle/taper/cone shape in between 4-7 degrees. It's not very much and doesn't need to be but it does need some.

[@Mike-rx4in]

Have you ever thought, about adding rail sweeps for the front wheels? They would knock small debris off the rail.

[@ferraritoybox]

Clean the chain & put in pryfine wax and bring to a boil for a few minutes until the wax get inside the rollers then take the chain out let congeal the put back on no more oiling no more mess

[@ufomanuap5290]

I wish I could buy some tires from you Ryan...it seems to be the only tricky part of the construction.

[@jhippl]

very nice

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks

[@paulshamblin6260]

I've definitely got to build one of these. I don't have it a lathe...yet.

[@alicia2671]

Olá estou aqui vendo tua invenção amigo queria poder fazer um igual aqui temos as linhas abandonadas eu ia usufruir com certeza .. parabéns sucesso abraços 👍

[@repairfreak]

Very cool idea, aways wanted to build a cart. I always wondered where I could get wheels however. I love you idea of pouring rubber over a rim. Thus you can clamp the rim hole centered in your lathe chuck using an actual axle piece, and then turn round without runout, even if the pour was slightly off center. Those are arbor bearings correct? Is there a grease Zerk in each? I like the idea of sitting up higher however. I also like the idea of a box with tip back soft cushion seats with back, along with storage in the box to fit a cooler for sandwiches & milk😉. For braking I was thinking of strong Neodymium bar magnets on each side just back slightly from center of cart. One could pull a metal lever and both magnets would reach out just close enough to inside rail edge and reach end-stops thus providing just enough drag. The system would have to be strong “likely welded”and work in perfect symmetry together moving in and out with individual magnet distance to rail adjustments. I would also mount the motor on a metal plate on-top of urethane rubber motor mount bushings. Great project. I solute your design simplicity, and clever wheel production. Your so lucky to have beautiful abandoned railways near you. Very cool! ✌️😎👍

[@Bendigo1]

I saw something about people building the bikes to run on the rails when I was a kid, I cant remember if it was national geographic magazine what, but I always wanted to do something like that too. I don't live somewhere that has any track I could do it on (at least not legally or without trains running on it) and do not really have the time or space to build anything like that. It is really cool to see someone actually do it though. I always thought about modifying an old motorcycle or dirt bike to do it though, just for better sitting position and view height.

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks for checking it out

[@doubled1425]

So cool! Wish I could take a ride on it!! I can afford the wood.😁

[@labmatthew]

Love it! San Daygo!

[@kentemple6498]

This is cool man. You totally need to add a train horn!

[@kerrysupporter]

Great job

[@Simple-jack]

Do you have a link to where you got that axle from?

[@OscarSanchez-bq4nl]

You should make one with a recliner chair as a seat.

[@NoamPitlick-bg8kw]

If I lived out west, I’d have someone build a high end rail cart for me.

[@EditorKalandr__]

You should make a bigger project where it say four seater, and actually have seats and maybe a little trailer to hook and haul

[@jordanhorst6]

very metro 2033! I love it !

[@Pady9977]

Damn, hoped for a simpler solution for the wheels :D

[@ryanrandomness]

It's easier than it seems. Just need access to a lathe.

[@timgiles9413]

@@ryanrandomness you should do a video on how you make the tires :)

[@ericfilomeno3150]

@@ryanrandomness Do you think you could use a mini lathe? I have a 7x14 mini lathe... so 7" swing..

[@ryanrandomness]

@ericfilomeno3150 probably, just smaller wheels. There's a video somewhere on youtube where a guy did a diy lathe mounted to a table and it had a huge swing.

[@enocholivas9129]

Nice lathe

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks, found it cheap on offerup

[@justinharroun69]

First off you have an old ass lathe, but what kind off cutting tooling did you use for it, normal cutter with chip breaker? Or a cutter?

[@joostderidder]

I wonder ... why such small wheels? Wouldn't be bigger wheels better (more stable on the tracks)? 12inch or even 15 inch?

[@CarsonNolt-wq7sx]

Where did you get the wheels? I would use a Honda engine rather than the predator in my opinion.

[@iamgriff]

try using a semi truck mud flap to dampen engine vibration.

[@ryanwitt6304]

Do you have any idea what your gear ratio is? I have a similar 10t clutch and I was going to put a 40t on the axle … I heard not to go any smaller then the 40t but looking at yours it seems to be quite small too! Thanks, cool project

[@jamese498]

Did you find the company you got the axels from? Or what to search for?

[@Spgonahan]

It is a great idea to make urethane wheels. They must run smooth and quiet. It occurs to me that a 2x3 ladder frame with plywood might be quite resonant, so if you had hard or roough wheels, it might get pretty loud. Is that an issue? It's hard to tell from videos how loud these railcarts really are.

[@ryanrandomness]

These wheels are so quiet and smooth.

[@seanjmichel]

How long are your axles and where did you get em

[@alanmckeeve2695]

Does the engine have a centrifugal clutch?

[@kriskat1521]

Train wheels are conical, they naturally do not de-rail by laws of physics. Can the urethane be shaped?

[@paulshamblin6260]

There should be clubs for this

[@nathanknight1906]

Nice setup. Hook it up with a set of wheels. Need them within a couple months if it's doable for you. Let me know the total $$$ When it's all said and done

[@arksrandom5968]

Is there a link for exactly those white rims? I am making plans on building one

[@allentobacco9245]

Ha, I use Flex It 90 to make action figures

[@ryanrandomness]

It works great for wheels I just wish it had a longer work time.

[@Ferix__]

Is it legal tho?

[@ryanrandomness]

No comment

[@Ferix__]

@@ryanrandomness oh anyways thanks for the detailed information

[@planeprepper6597]

need some rubber isolators under the pillow blocks, might give some cushion!

[@ryanrandomness]

It's actually super smooth on the tracks.

[@Whiteyholmes08]

Pretty cool bro… You’re winning 2022 so far… Do you build any flying machines?

[@ryanrandomness]

Haha no flying machines yet

[@tristankitchin5556]

This is amazing! I also live in San Diego and love walking the train tracks near the trestle. I'd love to build one of these. In the video you mention you sourced the shafts from some company in Ohio..... Can you share the name of the company? I'm trying to find the best deal. Thank you!

[@ryanrandomness]

I had to check my email. They are actually in Lincoln Nebraska. I think I said $20 or $30 in the video but it looks like it's $47 each. I remember looking around and this was by far the cheapest 72" keyed shaft I could find. It shipped fast and worked great so far. www.surpluscenter.com/Power-Transmission/Shafting/Keyed-Shafting/1-x-72-Keyed-Shafting-1-2982-100-6.axd

[@oapv22]

Hi, do you have a link to the clutch and sprocket you bought? I'm tryna to find an ideal sprocket but I do not know where to look

[@ryanrandomness]

Original clutch I was using is the first link. I recently switched to a torque converter. I put both links below FDJ Minibike Go Kart Clutch 3/4"... www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4L6OSI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share MOOSUN GO-KART TORQUE CONVERTER... www.amazon.com/dp/B07T1KRS4V?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@tmayorca8770]

No need for breaks. Just get anchor ⚓

[@billydonnelly7378]

I’m thinking a belt drive with spring tension like mower

[@ronbuono9096]

I can’t seem to find a keyed 6 foot or 56 1/2 inch axle. In the video you mentioned a place of San Diego and you said you would list it in comments, but I can’t find it anywhere. Could you please let me know where you got those axles? Thanks so much.

[@ryanrandomness]

www.surpluscenter.com/Power-Transmission/Shafting/Keyed-Shafting/1-x-72-Keyed-Shafting-1-2982-100-6.axd

[@ryanrandomness]

Prices have increased quite a bit but still by far the best deal I've found.

[@ronbuono9096]

⁠@@ryanrandomnessThanks, I just ordered them. The next closest price I found was double

[@ryanrandomness]

Those are good shafts too. I've derailed super hard and hit big rocks with lots of weight and never even bent one.

[@user-qm7yc3wr9r]

Opa, tudo bem meu amigo?! Aí procura um tradutor pra vc me entender 😅, então como faço pra conseguir essas rodas? Gostei muito do seu projeto, já fiz um mais foi com roda de bicicleta a pedal mais sem muito progresso, mais se vc poder me enformar fico muito agradecido!

[@SpaceMan-vd5ne]

I don’t see a way to message on here. Anyway, I don’t have access to a lathe here in SLC. Any possible way I could pay you for a set of the wheels?

[@ryanrandomness]

Hey I'd love to help you but I think the amount of time and shipping would end up costing you more than just getting them from railriders.net.

[@max25i67]

how does the gear not slip from the back axel? did u weld it or are those collars enough to hold it? also sick cart man

[@ryanrandomness]

The collars hold it great but it definitely needs loctite on everything.

[@mtlassen1992]

The axles and wheel hubs have 1/4" keyways.

[@JayL781]

I want to make one but I wanted to where I can stay out for a few days I wanted to be like a teardrop really small really light

[@aaronmiller5487]

Sell molds to people who don't have a lathe!

[@ryanrandomness]

Good idea

[@DennisMook-ky6lx]

You should of made the front be able to move so you get less wear n tear but in all its ok

[@mariohectormartin3097]

...Sr...y la prueba de campo de todo esto...? Gracias si me orienta dónde encontrarla.

[@dirttdude]

There's your vibration, it's your chain....

[@ryanrandomness]

It does get loose

[@dirttdude]

@@ryanrandomness I bet it does, it's working double time. Used to run into this on dirt bikes. the chain is not meshing with the top gear, it's either the wrong gear for the chain or the wrong chain for the gear. Should be able to find a matching chain and sprocket kit with your clutch

[@vegasrider2246]

How far or long can you go with a tank of fuel?

[@rileystumm3549]

Hey Ryan, why did you use a 6” wheel? I have seen the exact wheel but an 8”. Wouldn’t the extra ground clearance help?

[@ryanrandomness]

Couple reasons. The 6 inch wheels were quite a bit cheaper at the time. I think it was $20 each rather than $50 each. Also I was planning on using several inches of polyurethane. It didn't work out that way. My lathe can only fit 12" so that was also a worry as well. I was also trying to make it as light as possible. Really when you think about it a 2" bigger rim would only raise the axle 1"? Anyway I've never had any major clearance issues with my current setup.

[@rileystumm3549]

Thanks for the info. How much flex-it 90 do you need for 4 wheels? Would a gallon be too much?

[@ryanrandomness]

@@rileystumm3549 I had no idea what I was doing when I first attempted it. I think I started with 1 gallon. When I went to pour I didn't realize it only had something like a 3 min work time. I ended up wasting like half. I ordered another gallon and screwed up again. I also cut off a ton of polyurethane. If you had a better method you could probably get away with 1 gallon but it will most likely take 2. They also have 30% coupons. If you email them and tell them you missed the coupon they will email you one.