More pictures - Antique Machinery at the picnic

[James Patten]

Not to rain on anybody's F-150, but the insurance company made us create a list of qualified drivers for the Model AA truck....

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

James,  Of course we are having fun with Brian.  On a serious note, I am aware of the drivers list for the AA for roadway use.  It is required by our insurance carrier just like the apparatus drivers list at my fire station.  The drivers list does not prevent an interested member from getting lessons from a qualified operator on running the AA on railroad property.  Setting the fuel mixture and spark advance controls are important things to learn in running a Model T or A.  Training drivers for the truck and railcar will probably be along the same lines.  A qualified operator will train and approve new drivers just as we do with engines 51 and 52. 

BTW, our AA truck has an aftermarket fuse panel to protect the new wiring harness that Leon installed.   

[Brian Murphy]

HAHAHA very funny boys. that fire wasn't my fault.

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Brian,
Was that F150 a late 80's/early 90's model?  If so you may be correct.  Those years of Ford trucks did indeed have a wiring problem that Ford was VERY reluctant to own up to.  Usually burned the wiring under the dash, the dash and sometimes wrecked the front window.  Know of this first hand.  Of course if the truck is newer then the fault may lie with............
Duncan

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Duncan, You are correct about the wiring defect.  I got a factory recall for my 1999 F-350 regarding the cruise control.  There was a plastic piece that allowed the control wiring to get too close and start a fire.  The dealer replaced the piece in 2006. 

Fortunately our Model T railcar and Model AA truck don't have electronic cruise control.  They do have a type of cruise control with the steering column throttle lever.  You can set your engine speed with the hand throttle, this  gives you a (fairly) constant speed in whatever gear you choose.  With the AA you have a choice to use the hand throttle or gas pedal.  Setting the throttle lever at 2/3 in 4th gear keeps the truck at about 30 mph.  The Model T railcar has no foot pedal, you set the gas with the hand throttle.  You set the lever at track speed when clear of the yard limit but you may have to throttle back depending on track conditions and grade once further out on the mainline.

[Brian Murphy]

Yeah my f-150 is a 95.but it was my explorer that caught fire actually. But either way fords havent had the greatest track record with fire incidents but either way i will only buy ford trucks.