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This is Milwaukee Road inspection car #30, a 1947 Dodge Custom sedan. It was modified by the railroad shops for use by company officials inspecting the line, and was used until 1961. For the past 40 years or more it's been sitting in front of the depot at North Freedom, but MCRM decided it no longer fit in with their collection policy, and so it's been sold to us!
Unlike modern hi-rail equipment, the car cannot operate on the street. Steel flanges were attached to the hubs, and the narrow rubber tires ride on the rails. The steering was disconnected. Also, an underframe of steel channels was installed so that if the car were to come off the rails, it couldn't drop down far enough to be damaged by landing on the rails. Also, there is a hydraulic jack under the car so it can be raised up and rotated. Since it hasn't been exposed to salt, it's in pretty good condition for a car that's been stored outside all this time.
Car 30 on the Milwaukee (photo by Don Ross)
Unlike modern hi-rail equipment, the car cannot operate on the street. Steel flanges were attached to the hubs, and the narrow rubber tires ride on the rails. The steering was disconnected. Also, an underframe of steel channels was installed so that if the car were to come off the rails, it couldn't drop down far enough to be damaged by landing on the rails. Also, there is a hydraulic jack under the car so it can be raised up and rotated. Since it hasn't been exposed to salt, it's in pretty good condition for a car that's been stored outside all this time.
(The car in 1976 at North Freedom, from the MCRM website)
The Dodge Custom sedan was the top of the line model for 1947. It's 19' long and seats 7, using jump seats in back. It has a three-speed column mounted manual shift. You can see the pump for the hydraulic jack mounted on the front bumper:
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Bob Olson, Nick Kallas, and I have put up the money to buy the car, but we still need to pay for transportation and track space. So we're soliciting donations for this unique piece of railroad equipment. Final plans for how it will be stored and displayed, and perhaps even made operational, depend on the level of enthusiasm we can generate. Nick and Rod will be in charge of arranging the move, and we'll let you know when it arrives.
You can help by donating to the restricted fund for Milwaukee Road #30. As always, donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.
You can help by donating to the restricted fund for Milwaukee Road #30. As always, donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.