fargon, like any quiet gentleman, becomes lucid and wordy when you finally figure out his fascination. :D
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I lurves me some antique engines.
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I found an article on Wikipedia that says that the biggest problems with the McKeen cars was reliability of the engines. I think that they had too many moving parts. Here is the article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKeen...ny#Motor_truck
The biggest problem they were having was trying to adapt marine engines for rail use. Also the lack of a clutch hampered operation. Internal combustion electric drive was in it infancy, and used successfully by other makers. The Denver and Rio Grande railroads Galloping Goose used a Pierce Arrow automotive power plant with success. The problem with the McKeen cars was an unreliable power plant. |
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With no clutch at the time that could handle the output of that engine. Direct drive scary.
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I found an article on the McKeen Motor Cars; http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/mckeen.html
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I never did find out much about direct reversible gasoline engines. Only that they existed for a time and went away with out a wimper.
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William McKeen was the Union Pacific Railroad’s Superintendent of Motive Power when he, and/or staff, came up with this design. The Railroad built the first four cars, and subsequent units were constructed by McKeen in leased space at Union Pacific’s Omaha Shops. So McKeen started a company to build this design.
I wonder if that was Union Pacific didn't want to risk liability? Couldn't convince stockholders this was a geed investment? Up's charter wouldn't allow to selling to other railroads? McKeen's name was on the patents, unlikely if he was working for UP? It was a sweetheart deal between McKeen and the UP brass? I also wonder what engines were used in the first four? FOUND IT! Quote:
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OK, after the first four cars built by UP, they started using an engine of McKeen's design, except 3 Rottis, 1 Samet, and 1 Sterling.
The cars McKeen built for other railroads had his engine or Hall-Scott, or Winton engines. |
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Here's a Stover from that era.
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And winter in the Rockies...
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1943 menus with the highest priced item on each.
Burlington http://cellar.org/2015/burlington.jpg New York Central http://cellar.org/2015/newyorkcentral.jpg Frisco and Dixie http://cellar.org/2015/friscoDixie.jpg |
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Wiki says...
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Apparently two more years hauling wood. This picture shows how 12 wheels were driven, including the tender's wheels, for maximum traction.
http://cellar.org/2015/shay19.jpg You can read the "stories" here. |
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