Topic: RailBike Redux

[gerhed]

Just to add a little complexity to a project that was sinking into normalcy
the rail bike has migrated to a dual suspension mountain bike and a
48 volt front electric hub motor has been added.

[Bob Wessner]

Very neat! I'd feel better if you would add a rear view mirror though so those wayward freights don't slip up on you.

[gerhed]

This track is a spur near Casanova, Va. that runs 3 miles between the main line and a quarry.
Trains going back and forth to the quarry move at a walking speed ,fortunately. Had one following me
a couple weeks ago and I outran him !

[Sam Green Racing]

 

Sam.

[xtalon]

Very cool!

There should be one in every Hobo's garage.  Oh wait, Hobo's don't have garages, but you get my point.   

--xTalon

[Steve F]

That's pretty cool!  I'm wondering about your outrigger wheel.....how does it work when you go over grade crossings or switches and things?
Around where I live, you don't even think of going on railroad property!  They WILL throw your ass in jail and prosecute you till you beg for mercy.  They can be real pricks.

[mark]

Maybe you could hook up with a group like this.........

http://www.mowonline.org/index.htm (or a more local equivalent)

They seem to have the right connections.

Failing that, I'd be looking for rusty rails with weeds in between

Happy trails.

Edit: another interesting page...

http://www.narcoa.org/newsite/faq.htm

Maybe RailBike would qualify as a "Privately owned hy-rail vehicle"?

[gerhed]

Maybe you could hook up with a group like this.........

http://www.mowonline.org/index.htm (or a more local equivalent)

They seem to have the right connections.

Failing that, I'd be looking for rusty rails with weeds in between

Happy trails.

Edit: another interesting page...

http://www.narcoa.org/newsite/faq.htm

Maybe RailBike would qualify as a "Privately owned hy-rail vehicle"?

Madmark,
Great links-thanks !
I've heard that the owners of those 4-wheeled "speeders"
have nothing but disdain for railbike type vehicles.
They claim they're unsafe-amoung other things.
Whaaaat!

[gerhed]

That's pretty cool!  I'm wondering about your outrigger wheel.....how does it work when you go over grade crossings or switches and things?
Around where I live, you don't even think of going on railroad property!  They WILL throw your ass in jail and prosecute you till you beg for mercy.  They can be real pricks.

Steve,

The outrigger is no problem--it just goes over the top--more or less!
My front and mid bike guides, however, won't do swithces at all,
Have to stop, get off and push it.
If I get near a switch, I'm probably in enemy territory, anyway!
So I avoid 'em.

[Glenn Stauffer]

Here is a rail bike I saw at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont the other week.  Need's a seat and I'll bet it is a terrific effort to pedal...

[Bob Wessner]

Looks like one of the early sandcast models. Of course you would have to check the VIN to be sure.

[gerhed]

Here is a rail bike I saw at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont the other week.  Need's a seat and I'll bet it is a terrific effort to pedal...

Glenn,

Might take a little effort to get it going but with steel wheels on a steel rail and little or no
grade there's not much drag , so easy to keep going--IMHO.
A thoughtfull design for sure--but--4 wheels ! Too easy-- I took the road less traveled
as did Mssrs. Otto and Wielsch in 1898 !

[BobbyR]

Here is a rail bike I saw at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont the other week.  Need's a seat and I'll bet it is a terrific effort to pedal...

Glenn,

Might take a little effort to get it going but with steel wheels on a steel rail and little or no
grade there's not much drag , so easy to keep going--IMHO.
A thoughtfull design for sure--but--4 wheels ! Too easy-- I took the road less traveled
as did Mssrs. Otto and Wielsch in 1898 !

I like what you are done, I showed your latest design to the other guys in engineering and while we love it, we still think you are pleasantly  nuts. I again caution you about playing with Trains on active track. On a push pull train consist, the Loco can be in the back which gives you less warning. Great design, great adventure and my hat is off to you sir.

Trains have very little rolling resistance due to the steel on steel. Seven people can push a 73,000 lb subway car fairly easily, which is why we chain the wheels.

[burmashave]

Maybe you could hook up with a group like this.........

http://www.mowonline.org/index.htm (or a more local equivalent)

They seem to have the right connections.
[snip]

That is very cool. A speeder parade! I always wanted to ride in a speeder. They are a dying breed now.

Here is a rail bike I saw at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont the other week.  Need's a seat and I'll bet it is a terrific effort to pedal...

The things you can find at the Shelburne Museum. :-)