Speeder opportunity comes... and goes.

[TrainNut]

I recently came across the opportunity to purchase an old speeder. It's something I've wanted for several years but probably wouldn't get used much. Plus, it would have to be restored. Several places around the country (narrow and standard gauge) shut down sections of line so speeder clubs can bring out their speeders and run them. Great fun. In a small town near Phoenix, there is a private rail museum and the owner is moving several states away and so selling all of his pieces. This is one of them...


It's got a small combustion engine buried down underneath somewhere and needs a lot of work. Well, my wife wasn't too keen on the idea and since my play money comes from her direction, it seems this is an opportunity that will present itself to someone else. Win some, lose some.
For those not familiar with these things, here is a shot of one in much better condition...

[P5se Camelback]

I've seen YouTube videos about those clubs ... the folks, mostly couples, DO seem to have a good time, sometimes as many as 15 or 20 of them galavanting along some remote section of track through God's Great Outdoor Wilderness!

We had one at the Scale Rails of Southwest Florida model railroad club. It was in a little better shape than the first, slightly, but not as well preserved as the one in the second photo. It had been sitting next to our building in North Fort Myers where we also have a trailer which is used to carry the N-Trak modules to shows.

Well, one Saturday the speeder was gone. Not so much as a clue was left! Since the building is in between a commercial area and a residentail area, "nobody saw nuttin'."

So much for that!

[Steamtrains]

TrainNut...When an oportunity like that comes along....you gotta put your foot down.... :evil: ...
Veerryy softly....Then put your shoe back on....

[nachoman]

My brother helped rebuild one of those things. I did a very small amount of welding on the project. If it's still available, PM me the info and I may know a few people that could be interested.

[rrinker]

ANother one of those things on my 'someday' list. I love those things, and based on past experience seem to have the touch for fixing small engines liek that, so I think I would enjoy tearing something liek that down to restore it. Then getting a place to run it - that's the bigger problem.

--Randy

[Brakie]

Reminds me of the time I was fixing to buy a old C&O caboose for a small N Scale layout and assorted hobby needs..

The boss said "Not in my front or back yard". :evil:

And that ended that idea..

[Charlie B]

The North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) has their own web site <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.narcoa.org">http://www.narcoa.org</a><!-- m --> and sometimes there are cars listed for sale there. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.narcoa.org/forsale/4sale_want.htm">http://www.narcoa.org/forsale/4sale_want.htm</a><!-- m --> They are the folks that sponsor most speeder car runs, and provide the needed insurance to do it. It is a great hobby, but it can cost a few bucks.
They do some great trips. They even have done trips through the Canadian mountains over the main line. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.narcoa.org/excursions/excursions.html">http://www.narcoa.org/excursions/excursions.html</a><!-- m -->
Some of these cars will really move, but then again when they were used for track inspection they had to get it done in a hurry. I had an MT19 and I was told that it could do 70 MPH. It probably would, but not with me in it. I was on a run where the fellow I was riding with pushed it up to 63 MPH which is at least 30 MPH faster then is "comfortable"
Charlie

[TrainNut]

TrainNut...When an opportunity like that comes along....you gotta put your foot down.... :evil: ...
Veerryy softly....Then put your shoe back on....

I can't complain. She takes good care of me and let's me have lots of toys... just not this one this time.