W.W.&F. Discussion Forum

WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Mike Fox on March 15, 2021, 08:34:18 AM

Title: New to us work truck
Post by: Mike Fox on March 15, 2021, 08:34:18 AM
As the museum continues to grow, it is not without pains. A lot of items get handled, moved, relocated, hauled and what not.

For years, we have had the Dodge pickup, generously donated by Fred. Recently, it has spent more time not running than being useable. I hope to have solved this issue.

(https://i.postimg.cc/j5pSpGct/0310211744.jpg)

We have purchased this 2004 Ford F350 with 50,000 miles. V-10 with an automatic transmission, 4 wheel drive, dumping platform body with a lift gate. It will be a great utility truck for us, and make shuffling anything easier. Brendan is already talking about lettering the doors.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: John Kokas on March 15, 2021, 09:00:40 AM
Nice Mike, if only it had a diesel engine.  Ever think of reengining?
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on March 15, 2021, 09:58:15 AM
It looks to be in good shape, Mike.

Jeff S.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Graham Buxton on March 15, 2021, 11:49:17 AM
Say, Mike, when are you going to add hi-rail gear to that truck?  :P






... ducks and runs .... :-*   ::)   :o
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Bill Reidy on March 15, 2021, 12:00:55 PM
Thanks, Mike, for your search and finding this truck.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: John McNamara on March 15, 2021, 07:33:27 PM
Say, Mike, when are you going to add hi-rail gear to that truck?  :P

Maybe Orion can advise us.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: John Kokas on March 15, 2021, 07:43:22 PM
I have severe doubts of the practicality of hi-rail gear.   Too narrow of a wheelbase and too high a center of gravity.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Graham Buxton on March 15, 2021, 08:14:20 PM
I hope everyone took note of the abundance of smileys / emoticons on my post about the hi-rail gear!   ;D :o 8) ;) :P :-*
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Mike Fox on March 15, 2021, 08:52:44 PM
Just so happens to be a set of hy-rail gear that came off of an F-550 that I have not completely narrowed up yet...
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Benjamin Richards on March 16, 2021, 10:25:59 AM
Stability concerns notwithstanding, it would have to be self-propelled gear as well.  :-\

As far as I know, most hy-rail trucks rely on the tires for propulsion even when on track. This is the reason that hy-rail pickups often have axles and hubs from larger trucks, to allow dually-style wheels to be fitted, facing in, so the tires contact the rails.

Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Graham Buxton on March 16, 2021, 11:17:13 AM
One approach to deal with track gauge narrower than the vehicle rubber tire gauge is to have a 'friction drive' to the hi-rail axle. For example:

(https://i.postimg.cc/sBcWvF5k/Hi-Rail-Friction-Drive.png) (https://postimg.cc/sBcWvF5k)
(Image is a 'thumbnail - click to see larger)
Photo credit: http://www.mitchell-railgear.com/product-listing/5/28 (http://www.mitchell-railgear.com/product-listing/5/28)

When in use, the green "knobby" cylinder contacts the rubber tire and drives the steel wheels in contact with the rail.
.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Benjamin Richards on March 16, 2021, 02:55:02 PM
Really got to keep track of Forward/Reverse with that one!
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Jon Chase on March 16, 2021, 02:59:49 PM
Here would be another approach:

https://youtu.be/FJDPKNZul6c
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Wayne Laepple on March 17, 2021, 07:46:58 AM
I am forced to wonder why we really need a hy-rail truck. We have plenty of other rolling stock, and with the old Brookville No. 52 now repurposed as a track car, we can inspect the track in style. The Brookville will be better for track inspection, as the inspector/driver will not be looking out over that long hood!
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Mike Fox on March 17, 2021, 08:18:25 AM
I forgot to insert the smiley face. This is all in jest. There is no reason to hy-rail this.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Bill Piche on March 17, 2021, 10:13:25 AM
The Brookville will be better for track inspection, as the inspector/driver will not be looking out over that long hood!
They'll also feel all the joints more than they would in the Plymouth.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Mike Fox on March 27, 2021, 06:39:36 PM
The truck landed this morning and was very popular. Dave calls it the Swiss Army Knife of utility trucks..

(https://i.postimg.cc/bNTRLywQ/0327210734.jpg)
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Bill Reidy on March 27, 2021, 08:12:46 PM
The truck saw good use today.

Brian Whitney checks the load of debris in the back of the truck after it was collected from Alna Center this morning.
(https://i.imgur.com/KEhPmBl.jpg)

The debris about to be unloaded at the transfer station.
(https://i.imgur.com/l3djtvN.jpg)
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Graham Buxton on March 28, 2021, 09:41:32 AM
The truck landed this morning and was very popular.
So, I gather that the most important part of a new (used) truck  - - the radio  - - sounds good?  :P
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on March 28, 2021, 09:50:33 AM
So, what will become of Fred's old truck?

Jeff S.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: Mike Fox on March 28, 2021, 12:23:54 PM
The BOD has approved the sale of the truck. I would like to get it running before selling it, as it would be worth more running. We have a member that is interested in it, so we will see what happens.
Title: Re: New to us work truck
Post by: James Patten on March 28, 2021, 02:03:10 PM
The radio does work and sounds good.