What are those little cars on the railroad track?
The proper name of this vehicle is a Railway Motorcar. It is also known as a “speeder”, “railcar”, “track car” and “putt-putt” (for the noise the early one-cylinder two-cycle motors made).
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The motorcar was used for inspection and light maintenance of track and signals maintenance. Inspection and section-gang type motorcars weigh as little as 600 lbs. while gang cars can weigh up to 4500 pounds or more.
- Speeders at Wasson on CB
Now railroads are using highway vehicles that have been adapted to run on rail, called hi-rails, in place of the motorcar. So, many motorcars have been sold as surplus, ending up in the hands of hobbyists such as the members of the Rocky Mountain Division (RMD) of NARCOA. NARCOA (North American Rail Car Operators Association) is our national organization, which can be visited here.
The Excursion Coordinators of the RMD work with area railroads to organize safe, legal motorcar trips for our insured and rule book certified membership. Please explore our website to learn more about the trips we are planning this year. To learn more about our hobby in general, visit the NARCOA FAQ page.
To visit the old RMD site, just click http://rockymountaindiv.com/oldindex.htm
Archive of 2011 and earlier excursions
Philip Walters and Doug Davlin, RMD webmasters
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