The Longhorn & Western Railroad
Motor Cars
(Click on images to enlarge)
On railroads, a 'Motor Car' is a small motorized rail car used by 'Maintenance Of Way' personnel to either work on or inspect the track.
This car is a Fairmont M19, built, as were all the cars in the mid to late '40s. It is a one
seater open car used by the Track Supervisor. It was owned by the Southern Pacific RR. It has
a one cylinder hand, is belt driven and was started by a hand crank. This car was restored by
Ken McWilliams.
The first car is also a Fairmont M19. It has an open cover and seats two people. It also was
used by the S.P. RR Maintenance of Way crews. The car behind it is a Fairmont M19F, from 1948.
It was owned by Seaboard RR and now belongs to Museum Curator, Jared Davis. It has two
front side panels, in addition to the front wind shield. The third car is featured in the next three pictures.
This car was recently refurbished with a frame off restoration. Even the engine was
dismantled. It was all put back together and is now quite show piece. It has
an Onan motor, unlike the other Fairmont cars, and has an electrical starter. As a
superintendent's car, it comes equipped with fluid operated track level gauges, and other track
monitoring equipment.
Compared to the Fairmonts, this Kalamazoo is a lot bigger, in every way. It's four cylinder Ford Industrial engine enables it to pull significant loads. This car was
originally
owned by the United States Air Force. A car like this could be used not only for
maintenance of the tracks but for the movement of men and materials, such as ammunition
and bombs from secure locations to aircraft.
This is a modern, extremely stripped down, version of a motor car, called a rail rod. It is
relatively light weight and versatile, as it can be folded up for
storage or transportation. I doubt if anyone would care to travel far on it, not that you could, as it's gas tank, like its Briggs & Stratton engine, are the same as you'd find
on a lawn mower.
LATEST ADDITION, SPRING 2006
The museum's latest acquisition is yet another Fairmont motor car, this one formerly owned by
the US Marines. It has a unique driver position and operates much like an automobile. It is
powered by a four cylinder Ford industrial engine. We have encountered some unexpected mechanical
issues, but anticipate introducing the motor car to service by the summer. It's size will allow
it to carry up to four persons as well as the driver, providing a very upfront and personal way
for our visitors to experience rail travel.
More pictures and information will be added as they become available
Further L & W RR Pages
•TTM Home Page•
•Hours of Operation & Location•
•Locomotives•
•Railroad Carriages;
•Cabooses•
•The Depot•
•Motor Cars•
•Miscellaneous L&W items•
Site Established: June 13, 2002
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