New to us work truck

[Mike Fox]

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.



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.

[John Kokas]

Nice Mike, if only it had a diesel engine.  Ever think of reengining?

[Jeff Schumaker]

It looks to be in good shape, Mike.

Jeff S.

[Graham Buxton]

Say, Mike, when are you going to add hi-rail gear to that truck? 






... ducks and runs ....       

[Bill Reidy]

Thanks, Mike, for your search and finding this truck.

[John McNamara]

Say, Mike, when are you going to add hi-rail gear to that truck? 

Maybe Orion can advise us.

[John Kokas]

I have severe doubts of the practicality of hi-rail gear.   Too narrow of a wheelbase and too high a center of gravity.

[Graham Buxton]

I hope everyone took note of the abundance of smileys / emoticons on my post about the hi-rail gear!   

[Mike Fox]

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...

[Benjamin Richards]

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.

[Graham Buxton]

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:


(Image is a 'thumbnail - click to see larger)
Photo credit: 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.
.

[Benjamin Richards]

Really got to keep track of Forward/Reverse with that one!

[Jon Chase]

Here would be another approach:

https://youtu.be/FJDPKNZul6c

[Wayne Laepple]

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!

[Mike Fox]

I forgot to insert the smiley face. This is all in jest. There is no reason to hy-rail this.