The Ford Barn

mercman from oz · 11-21-2023, 10:54 PM

Pretty basic conversion don't you think?

DkFordor · 11-22-2023, 05:10 AM

That's cool - guess sometimes less is more

I did know of more conventional uses of model A engines in railway vehicles - I even acquired a coolant heater originally from such a vehicle. Matches the one already installed

LeonardS · 11-22-2023, 08:29 AM

Probably should have had a tensioner/tightener on that chain.

wuga · 11-22-2023, 08:45 AM

That's what the jack post under the rearend is for.
Warren

katy · 11-22-2023, 09:54 AM

Nice picture, thanks.

AzBob · 11-22-2023, 11:31 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

No chain guards.

OSHA would have a cow with this today.

Model "A" Fords · 11-22-2023, 12:00 PM

Love this conversion from a Standard Sedan! Most were converted to Town Sedans which made the Standard Sedan go on the endangered list. No confusion with this pretty simple "Standard Railway Sedan" conversion! Cowl lights would have taken it way too far over the top.

Bruce of MN · 11-22-2023, 12:12 PM

From the size of the sprockets, maybe 25 mph top speed?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-22-2023, 12:33 PM

As an owner of a Speeder Car (-a RR inspection vehicle), I do have a fascination with RR vehicles, ...especially ones that are Model-As, or Model-A engine powered. I guess one that never gets old for me is watching this clip of a Victoria being used on the rails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VDPMB3P_-8

.

Pete · 11-22-2023, 01:37 PM

They did not have hy-rail gear back in those days so there were many different ways to convert cars, trucks and busses to rail use.

Ian Rousell on the TV program, Full Custom Garage, converted a model A to rail use.

Brad in Germany · 11-22-2023, 01:58 PM

If you look closely, the top part of the wooden chassis is connected to the bottom part right in the center so that the chain can be detached and the entire car pivoted to allow it to turn around and drive in the other direction.

Cool!

Brad in Maryland

Gene F · 11-22-2023, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad in Germany

If you look closely, the top part of the wooden chassis is connected to the bottom part right in the center so that the chain can be detached and the entire car pivoted to allow it to turn around and drive in the other direction.

Cool!

Brad in Maryland

That explains the need for cogs on the front wheels. However, I'm guessing if it were a short need they'd just use reverse gear. A bit of work to flip that baby around.

Ray64 · 11-22-2023, 04:42 PM

That is to cool Thanks

Marshall V. Daut · 11-22-2023, 04:52 PM

On the Motor Trend Channel, I recently saw an episode of "Full Custom" (?) where the star of the series converted a 1929 Closed cab pickup truck to a railroad shuttle vehicle, using photos of one from the 1930's that the railroad supplied him. Pretty ingenious how he duplicated what the original shuttle car looked, including hand-fabricating the intricate metal strap cowcatcher. Although not an exact replication, the final product looked pretty close to the original. A good job overall. I do, however, bemoan the fact that yet another survivor Model A no longer exists as such. Its new iteration has merit, to be sure, and I take my hat off to the guy who did the conversion. But, dang! ANOTHER one gone forever.

At least it didn't become a rat rod or some gaudy hot rod circus wagon that screams of bad taste!
Marshall

Synchro909 · 11-22-2023, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

As an owner of a Speeder Car (-a RR inspection vehicle), I do have a fascination with RR vehicles, ...especially ones that are Model-As, or Model-A engine powered. I guess one that never gets old for me is watching this clip of a Victoria being used on the rails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VDPMB3P_-8

.

In this country, we are super aware of the risk of fire. What could go wrong in that country during summer?

stickshift · 11-22-2023, 05:46 PM

But how does it stop? Are model A brakes good enough for a 2 to 3 % grade?

Pete · 11-22-2023, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

From the size of the sprockets, maybe 25 mph top speed?

You haven't lived until you have gone on the ground in a hy-rail at 25 mph....

mercman from oz · 11-22-2023, 08:11 PM

1931 Ford Model A Victoria in the Video posted by Synchro909

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VDPMB3P_-8

Steve in Denver · 11-22-2023, 08:29 PM

We have a variety of vintage powered Galloping Geese in Colorado.

Pete · 11-22-2023, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve in Denver

We have a variety of vintage powered Galloping Geese in Colorado.

Been there, done that..

11-21-2023, 10:54 PM	#1
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,373	Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle Pretty basic conversion don't you think?

11-22-2023, 05:10 AM	#2
DkFordor Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Denmark, Northern Europe Posts: 73	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle That's cool - guess sometimes less is more I did know of more conventional uses of model A engines in railway vehicles - I even acquired a coolant heater originally from such a vehicle. Matches the one already installed

11-22-2023, 08:29 AM	#3
LeonardS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jamestown, ND Posts: 657	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle Probably should have had a tensioner/tightener on that chain.

11-22-2023, 08:45 AM	#4
wuga Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 61	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle That's what the jack post under the rearend is for. Warren

11-22-2023, 09:54 AM	#5
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle Nice picture, thanks. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

11-22-2023, 11:31 AM	#6
AzBob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 130	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) No chain guards. OSHA would have a cow with this today.

11-22-2023, 12:00 PM	#7
Model "A" Fords Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 260	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle Love this conversion from a Standard Sedan! Most were converted to Town Sedans which made the Standard Sedan go on the endangered list. No confusion with this pretty simple "Standard Railway Sedan" conversion! Cowl lights would have taken it way too far over the top.

11-22-2023, 12:12 PM	#8
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,410	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle From the size of the sprockets, maybe 25 mph top speed?

11-22-2023, 12:33 PM	#9
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,519	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle As an owner of a Speeder Car (-a RR inspection vehicle), I do have a fascination with RR vehicles, ...especially ones that are Model-As, or Model-A engine powered. I guess one that never gets old for me is watching this clip of a Victoria being used on the rails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VDPMB3P_-8 . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-22-2023, 01:37 PM	#10
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle They did not have hy-rail gear back in those days so there were many different ways to convert cars, trucks and busses to rail use. Ian Rousell on the TV program, Full Custom Garage, converted a model A to rail use. Last edited by Pete; 11-22-2023 at 07:38 PM.

11-22-2023, 01:58 PM	#11
Brad in Germany Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Potomac, Maryland Posts: 911	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle If you look closely, the top part of the wooden chassis is connected to the bottom part right in the center so that the chain can be detached and the entire car pivoted to allow it to turn around and drive in the other direction. Cool! Brad in Maryland

11-22-2023, 04:42 PM	#13
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 727	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle That is to cool Thanks

11-22-2023, 04:52 PM	#14
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,112	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle On the Motor Trend Channel, I recently saw an episode of "Full Custom" (?) where the star of the series converted a 1929 Closed cab pickup truck to a railroad shuttle vehicle, using photos of one from the 1930's that the railroad supplied him. Pretty ingenious how he duplicated what the original shuttle car looked, including hand-fabricating the intricate metal strap cowcatcher. Although not an exact replication, the final product looked pretty close to the original. A good job overall. I do, however, bemoan the fact that yet another survivor Model A no longer exists as such. Its new iteration has merit, to be sure, and I take my hat off to the guy who did the conversion. But, dang! ANOTHER one gone forever. At least it didn't become a rat rod or some gaudy hot rod circus wagon that screams of bad taste! Marshall

11-22-2023, 05:46 PM	#16
stickshift Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Grass Valley, Ca Posts: 247	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle But how does it stop? Are model A brakes good enough for a 2 to 3 % grade? __________________ Stickshift 1915 Model T touring 1931 Ford Model AA Flatbed

11-22-2023, 08:11 PM	#18
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,373	Re: Model A Ford Sedan converted into a Railway Service Vehicle 1931 Ford Model A Victoria in the Video posted by Synchro909 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VDPMB3P_-8