McKeen Car

Jerry Barnes

Jerry Barnes

Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
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These were made in Omaha, NE around 1900 to have a cheaper way to run passengers/freight not using a steam engine. They were gasoline powered. I had made one from plastic years ago a friend made some shells from metal and I got one to work on. I also got a Aristo FA diesel to use the trucks to power it, probably wtih battery power. There are some welded seats inside and it has a nice cast brass pilot. The rest is up to you to complete.
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Looks interesting.. Do you have picture of the prototype?

That second picture.. You could put masts (and sails) on it.. ;):giggle::giggle:
 
PhilP said:
Looks interesting.. Do you have picture of the prototype?

That second picture.. You could put masts (and sails) on it.. ;):giggle::giggle:
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Haha, that was exactly my first thought on seeing the pic too.... I thought someone was building a model paddle steamer, and wondered why it was on here? ;)

On further inspection.... looks a fascinating model, Jerry, and I second PhilP's interest in some prototype photos (my google-fu is weak today...).

Jon.
 
Ah!
My search had an 'L' in it! :rolleyes::shake:

Looks really 'top-heavy', with lost of daylight under it. - Guess they did not travel fast?

The 'power-bogie' looks tiny.. Until you spot the picture with the works-crew next to it, and the 'car' up in the air.

Very 'steam-punk' looking.
 
The drawback wit these vehicle model-wise is their length o_O

However, i believe the odd specimen turned up on narrow gauge lines (3ft) :nod::nod:

Now that's an excuse to have another look through my books >:)>:)
 
WOW! Ahead of it's time in some ways. The streamlined axe head front, sunken passenger entry and the portholes preempting the luxury shipping era to come in the 20's.
That cow catcher could bounce the strays back into the paddock. :)
One restored was saved and restored by the initiation of a 15 year old. Interesting history vid below.


 
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A local shortline in my area (Finger Lakes region of central NY state) had two of them in the early 20th century.
I have considered making a model of one! someday..
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Rhinochugger said:
The drawback wit these vehicle model-wise is their length o_O

However, i believe the odd specimen turned up on narrow gauge lines (3ft) :nod::nod:

Now that's an excuse to have another look through my books >:)>:)
Click to expand...

I didn’t know about 3ft gauge versions- interesting. I did know that 2 were used by Victorian Railways in Australia, so would have been 5 foot 3 inch gauge. They were considered very unreliable, and only lasted 3 years or so in service.
cheers

Peter Mack
 
Queensland Australia had 5 McKeen Railcars on their 3'6" narrow gauge and Victoria Australia had 2 on a few of their 5'3" broad gauge country lines.
The VR broad gauge ones had buffers fitted and also had a different passenger entry compatible with the high platforms on the VR network. They only lasted a few of years due to unreliability and high running cost, eventually having motors removed and used as passenger cars on a suburban line.

McKeen railmotors

Victorian Railways McKeen Rail Motor Cars Operating Manual.
VR McKeen Cars - Operating Manual

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mckeen02big.jpg


mekeendia.jpg
 
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The more I look at this thing the weirder it gets.
It seems to have one driving axle on the front bogie (so is it an A1'2?) and a "cow-catcher" and driving position at the front only which implies it was designed to travel in one direction, so it would need (quite a big) turntable or reversing loop / wye to operate.
 
idlemarvel said:
The more I look at this thing the weirder it gets.
It seems to have one driving axle on the front bogie (so is it an A1'2?) and a "cow-catcher" and driving position at the front only which implies it was designed to travel in one direction, so it would need (quite a big) turntable or reversing loop / wye to operate.
Click to expand...

Yep. They had to be turned around. :nod:
 
Oh, you've made me go and get the books out now.

But no, it was the Virginia and Truckee that I have pictures of, and that was standard gauge .......... petrol (gasoline) powered.
 
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