TTM site

Texas Transportation Museum
11731 Wetmore Road, San Antonio TX 78247
(210) 490-3554

Longhorn & Western Railroad

Rail 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. At one time these work vehicles were very common but they have now been replaced with "high railers," which are regular road vehicles, often pick-up trucks, fitted with small rail wheels that are lowered to enable them to use the rails. Many of the old fashioned, purpose built, motor cars have survived, most in the hands of private owners. TTM has a significant number of these fascinating rail work vehicles, including one that was powered by its occupant, rather than a motor.

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 TO OUR MOTOR CAR FLEET

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 as soon as possible. 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.

As of the Fall of 2008, this car is now in service. It took some time to find a number of the parts, plus much of the original wood needed to be replaced. We now use it to give rides on Thursday and Fridays. Riding the rails on a motor car provides our visitors with a much closer idea of what it takes to maintain a railroad as they get a chance to experience how track gangs and rail inspectors moved around to work on the tracks and make sure passenger and freight trains could travel with safety.

We are already working on another unique motor car. Pretty soon we will have a good number of these classic rail vehicles in operation. An invitation has been extended to members of the Texas "Speeder" club to have a special day at the museum, so the public can see a significant number of these wonderful railroad relics in action. In the mean time our visitors are having a grand time riding on our ex-Marine car.

A VISIT BY A FAIRMONT MT14K IN FEBRUARY, 2009

TTM welcomes folks with motor cars to use our rails to take them for a ride. In February 2009, Leland Stewart, who heads a group called Rail Partners, Inc, a group dedicated to preserving railroad lines in danger of being dismantled, brought out his recently restored Fairmont MT14K, a rare example of a 2 stroke "M" model with a 2 speed rear axle. This was the motorcar's first test run since the restoration, a two year project, was completed. The motorcar was built around the late 1950s or early 1960s. It was used by the Great Northern Railroad but laid idle for almost two decades before Leland rescued it and brought it back to its original condition and appearance. The motorcar is for sale, for $3,800 to make room for his next restoration. You will find his contact e-mail address on each of the four pictures below.

For more information about Rail Partners, Inc., click: •RPI•

A recently restored Fairmont MT14K at TTM, February 2009

Further L & W RR Pages

•TTM Home Page•
•Hours of Operation & Location•

•Locomotives•
•Railroad Carriages;
•Cabooses•
•The Depot•
•Motor Cars•
•Miscellaneous L&W items•