Those headlights are better than the ones on my car. Like others have said, been wanting to to this for a few years. I've even looked into building a speeder. Unfortunately there is no activity in Arizona.
On this run, 22-23 mph, that I measured. 39' length rails joint to joint, count wheel clicks against joints for 30 seconds and divide by 2. I had both Fairmont M9 and M19 from 77-84. The motor noise you hear is a 4 cycle engine, most likely Onan. As it is using a single headlight beam. And may had rubber lined wheels with steel flange, as it is running real quiet. Maybe a NARCOA rule. With chain drive. Mine were 2 cycle belt driven with a timing lever. Loud, no muffler, flexible pipe, probably why I like old Harley Davidson's. I loved my Fairmonts. My 75' Chevy signal Maintainer truck had a tool bed, with rails and wench so I could load and unload at any road crossing. Still had to man handle in the worse of weather conditions. I've made the run on live MOPAC railroad from Beaumont to Settegast TX (78 miles) and all points in between many a time. Then we had 30 signal/comm telephones per mile, so count poles for 1 minute, 30 poles in 1 minute = 30mph. My M9 had been clocked at over 62mph before. Had the wheels shimmed so they rode smoother. RR took them away and scrapped many, some collectors were wise enough to hoard a few of them. Miss those days for sure.
We put an undercoating on the inside of the wheels, This helps keep the noise down, and Very few use rubber tires on the rims. not a NARCOA requirment.
Was this filmed from a speeder or a Hi-rail? Reason I ask is... it's pretty quiet (engine/motor). EDIT: Must be a speeder. Just accelerated from a stop.
While Fairmont speeders were factory tested as fast as 65mph (!), most actual speeds top out around 40 on flat, straight, welded rail. This line is not flat, straight, or welded and top speeds in this video are actually 15-20 mph.
I just learned about speeders and I'm a 36 old disab military vet. This looks like alot of fun. Thank you for allowing people this experience.
I wish i found about these speeders sooner These look hella Fun to drive around in
Those headlights are better than the ones on my car. Like others have said, been wanting to to this for a few years. I've even looked into building a speeder. Unfortunately there is no activity in Arizona.
I think the box said they were tractor floods.
You could use them to shoot a movie.
great camera view
Thanks! It's mounted on the front grab bar of the speeder.
I'm curious how a few crossing gates got activated, since these cars are insulated.
Jumpered manually to activate.
On this run, 22-23 mph, that I measured. 39' length rails joint to joint, count wheel clicks against joints for 30 seconds and divide by 2. I had both Fairmont M9 and M19 from 77-84. The motor noise you hear is a 4 cycle engine, most likely Onan. As it is using a single headlight beam. And may had rubber lined wheels with steel flange, as it is running real quiet. Maybe a NARCOA rule. With chain drive. Mine were 2 cycle belt driven with a timing lever. Loud, no muffler, flexible pipe, probably why I like old Harley Davidson's. I loved my Fairmonts. My 75' Chevy signal Maintainer truck had a tool bed, with rails and wench so I could load and unload at any road crossing. Still had to man handle in the worse of weather conditions. I've made the run on live MOPAC railroad from Beaumont to Settegast TX (78 miles) and all points in between many a time. Then we had 30 signal/comm telephones per mile, so count poles for 1 minute, 30 poles in 1 minute = 30mph. My M9 had been clocked at over 62mph before. Had the wheels shimmed so they rode smoother. RR took them away and scrapped many, some collectors were wise enough to hoard a few of them. Miss those days for sure.
We put an undercoating on the inside of the wheels, This helps keep the noise down, and Very few use rubber tires on the rims. not a NARCOA requirment.
Need to adjust idle down on the engine.
Was this filmed from a speeder or a Hi-rail? Reason I ask is... it's pretty quiet (engine/motor). EDIT: Must be a speeder. Just accelerated from a stop.
This would be a blast.
yeah! need to find one of these Speeders & restore it
I'll LED everything hehe
Fairmont MT-19
(ex-Southern #7611)
Looks like 40mph or so. I would feel uncomfortable at that speed on one of those things.
While Fairmont speeders were factory tested as fast as 65mph (!), most actual speeds top out around 40 on flat, straight, welded rail.
This line is not flat, straight, or welded and top speeds in this video are actually 15-20 mph.