Speeders & Motor Cars

2270.JPG, Don Howe
Belmont Museum Exhibit
A view of Speeder #2270 on display at the P&N Railroad Museum in Belmont, North Carolina.

7020_1.JPG, Don Howe
NS 7020 Motor Car
NS No. 7020 motor car prior to any restoration. Seen just as it was used on the railroad.

7414_1.JPG, Don Howe
NS Motor Car 7414
Front view of Norfolk Southern Motor Car #7414 seen just as it was used on the railroad.

7609A.JPG, Don Howe
A Naked MT-19
A view of my stripped MT-19 about half way through restoration.

A_R1.JPG, Don Howe
Aberdeen & Rockfish No. 1
Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad motor car number 1, with what looks to be a custom cab job. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

ACCWIR.GIF, Don Howe
MT19B Accessory Wiring Diagram
The wiring diagram for Fairmont MT19B electrical accessories.

ADDRESS.TXT, Don Howe
Important Enthusiast Addresses
Important addresses, phone/fax numbers, and email addresses for motor car (speeder) enthusiasts. Check this file often as it will be updated as information becomes available.

ALIGN36.TXT, Don Howe
Keeping Wheels Aligned
Instructions on how to align Fairmont motor car wheels for smooth running.

ALTDRNG.GIF, Don Howe
Alternator Wiring Diagram
Wiring diagram for side-mounted alternator commonly found on most Fairmont Onan powered motor cars.

AUCSPDR.JPG, Robert Schoneman
This Speeder Needs Work
A sorrowful looking speeder on display at a Wisconsin restaurant. Photo by Robert Schoneman, scanned by Don Howe.

BASICIG.GIF, Don Howe
Basic Battery Ignition
Wiring diagram of basic battery ignition using no alternator, typically found on numerious motor cars.

BIGPUSH.JPG, Don Howe
What's That Behind Us!
One of the static displays at the Virginia Transportation Museum. From the placement of the pieces, it looks as if the steam engine is coming up fast from behind. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

BRAKELITE.TXT, Don Howe
How To Install Brake Lights
How one Speeder enthusiast installs flashing brake (stop) lights on his motor car.

BRKPTS.JPG, Don Howe
MT19A Brake Components
A line drawing of the MT-19A brake components from 1981.

CABMT19.GIF, Don Howe
MT19B Roof & Front Assembly
An exploded view drawing of the roof and front wind screen of a Fairmont MT19B.

CARBADJ.TXT, Don Howe
Carburetor Adjustment
The adjustment procedures for carburetors found on most Onan engines. See the accompanying file ONANCARB.JPG in this section for a drawing of the carburetor.

CCKBSPEC.TXT, Don Howe
Onan CCKB Specifications
The 1980 specifications for the Onan CCKB-MS/1 electric start gasoline engine.

CCKBTORQ.TXT, Don Howe
CCKB Torque Specifications
Onan CCKB engine assembly torque specifications from 1980.

CHOKASY.GIF, Don Howe
Carb Choke Drawing
Drawing of a thermal magnetic choke assembly commonly found on many Onan carburetor equipped engines.

CNTRLPL.JPG, Don Howe
MT-19 Control Panel
View of a typical Fairmont MT-19 control panel.

COGCAR.JPG, Don Howe
Purple Pleasure
Painted and lettered for the Central of Georgia, this very well done speeder was seen on a recent Georgia Northeastern Railroad excursion. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

DBLECAB.GIF, Don Howe
MT19B Double Cab Drawing
An exploded view drawing of the roof and double end cab of a Fairmont MT19B.

DISPLAY.JPG, Don Howe
For the Public's Pleasure
This gang car is on static display at a southeastern museum. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FMA6C.JPG, Don Howe
Fairmont Gang Car
An image of a Fairmont A6C Gang Car produced from 1939 - 1946. 183 of the 2600 pound cars were manufactured. They seated 10 persons and were powered by a Ford Industrial V-8 engine.

FMDATA.TXT, Don Howe
Fairmont Motor Car Data
Some technical information on various Fairmont Motor Cars (Speeders) and equipment. This file will be updated as information becomes available.

FOTOSTP.JPG, Don Howe
Photo Opportunity
The lineup of a recent Winchester & Western Railroad excursion stopped on a viaduct for photos. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FRNTVU_1.JPG, Don Howe
Front View of a Fairmont -1
A frontal view of a Fairmont speeder photographed at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, NC, by Rick Tufts of Pinehurst, NC, and scanned by Don Howe.

FRNTVU_2.JPG, Don Howe
A Fairmont Speeder at Norfolk Southern
A front view of a Fairmont speeder seen at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, NC. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FRNTVU_3.JPG, Don Howe
Modern Lighting for an Old Timer
A speeder at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, sporting an unusual headlight. Don't think it would win an 'as built' competition. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FRNTVU_4.JPG, Don Howe
Front View of a Fairmont_2
Photo of the front of a Fairmont motor car parked at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, NC. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FRNTVU_5.JPG, Don Howe
Fairmont Almost Restored
Photo showing the front of Rick Tuft's almost completed Fairmont speeder. The tool boxes and the grab handle are next. Rick Tuft photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FRNTVU_6.JPG, Don Howe
A Dwindling Group of Speeders
The group of speeders still in NS inventory at the Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. Most have probably found a good home by now. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

FUNTEST.TXT, Don Howe
Know the Rules?
This is about 50 questions attached to an operating guide for railroad employees dated 1985. There were over a hundred questions, but I've picked 50 of the most interesting. Answers were not provided, so have some fun and see how many you can answer.

GNESPDR.JPG, Don Howe
Still Serving the Railroad
A GNE motor car seen on railroad property, still in service. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

GOOSE.GIF, George Erhart
Photo of the RGS No. 2 Spruce Goose
The RGS No. 2 Spruce Goose at the Colorado Rail Museum. The original photo was taken by me in the spring of 1988, while on vacation. This file was generated using a Howtek scanner and processed on an AT&T WGS 6386/25 using special digital signal processing hardware.

HI-RAILR.JPG, Don Howe
The Trainmaster's Ride
The modern version of the motor car. The NS Trainmaster rides in a modern Chevy Surburban through Gastonia, NC.

HIRAILR.JPG, Don Howe
Late Model Speeder
A "late model" speeder seen on the Norfolk Southern in Gastonia, North Carolina. But everyone knows they are now called a hi-railer.

IGNISYS.GIF, Don Howe
12V Ignition System
Drawing showing major components of a typical Onan 12 volt ignition system.

INSPCAR.JPG, Don Howe
No Doubt What This Is
From the front there is little doubt as to what this car is used for. The "Inspection" decal is extra large and in a predominate location. Also note the 'turn signal' light used as a warning beacon. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

INTECCKB.TXT, Don Howe
CCKB Number Interpretation
The meanings of Onan CCKB engine numbers, with a little trivia thrown in.

LEVERCAR.JPG, Don Howe
Lever Car Drawing
A drawing of a track car 'before' the addition of the internal combustion engine, windshields and roofs.

LINEUP.JPG, Don Howe
The Excursion Lineup
The lineup of cars at the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad excursion in January 1998. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

LINEUP_1.JPG, Don Howe
The Lineup at NS Roadway Shop
The lineup of speeders, two deep, seen at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

LINEUP_2.JPG, Don Howe
Speeders, Speeders Everywhere
A view of the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they store their motor cars. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

LINEUP_3.JPG, Don Howe
The Lineup Before an Excursion
A scene looking down the line of cars waiting for the start of an excursion. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

LINEUP_4.JPG, Don Howe
A Needed Break
A shot of the excursion cars during a break. My car is the Southern 7603. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

LNF8848.JPG, Don Howe
An L&N Gang Car
A line of excursion cars featuring an L&N gang car No. F8848. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

M19OPER.TXT, Don Howe
M19 Operating Procedure
The basic operating procedures for Fairmont M19 series motor cars.

MCFLAG.TXT, Don Howe
Motor Car Flagging
Standard flagging procedure for motor car operators.

MT19BCHS.GIF, Don Howe
MT19B Chassis Drawing
An exploded view drawing of a Fairmont MT19B motor car chassis.

MT19BHO.GIF, Don Howe
MT19B Center Console Drawing
An exploded view drawing of the center console covering the power train of a Fairmont MT19B motor car.

MT19BUL.TXT, Don Howe
New Car Bulletin
How to prepare a newly delivered MT19A for service, including lubrication capacities and requirements. Some instruction on operating the car is also included.

MT19LUB.JPG, Don Howe
MT19-B Lubrication Diagram
A diagram showing the lubrication points on a Fairmont MT19-B motor car. A multipurpose grease (MPG) should be used at all points except the transmission (see manual) and chain (light chain oil). The numerials shown at some locations indicates the number of lubrication points.

MT19WIR.JPG, Don Howe
MT-19 Wiring Diagram
A very rough hand drawn diagram of the electrical wiring for a Fairmont MT-19 motor car.

MTECAR.JPG, Don Howe
Seats Are Optional
A rear view of one of the cars at Norfolk Southern's Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, minus the seats and curtains. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NHV_1.JPG, Don Howe
A Hi-Railer With a Hole
A scene from the New Hope Valley Railroad in North Carolina, that includes a hi-rail maintenance of way vehicle that has obviously come in contact with 'other on-track equipment'. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NS_C439.JPG, Don Howe
An Impressive M-9
An M-9 seen at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, that appears to be a complete car and ready for some tender restoration. Note the 'turn signal' type fixture used as a roof beacon. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7017.JPG, Don Howe
NS MT-19 No. 7017
Norfolk Southern MT-19 number 7017, at the NS Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, missing the rail sweeps. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7020.JPG, Don Howe
NS MT-19 No. 7020
Norfolk Southern MT-19 number 7020, at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. This car is now owned by Don Howe. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7029.JPG, Don Howe
Ready for Some TLC
Norfolk Southern MT-19 number 7029, seen still on the trailer after arriving home from the auction. The joy of bringing her back to life will soon begin. Car is owned and photographed by Rick Tufts, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7419.JPG, Don Howe
Norfolk Southern No. 7419 Speeder
Photo of Norfolk Southern motor car No. 7419, seen at the NS Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7419_1.JPG, Don Howe
Profile of a nice Fairmont
A profile shot of a nice looking Fairmont seen at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, NC. Photo by Rick Tufts of Pinehurst, NC, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7613.JPG, Don Howe
NS7613 in New Paint
Norfolk Southern motor car number 7613 seen at the Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, sporting a fresh paint job. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

NS7805.JPG, Don Howe
NS7805 at the Charlotte Roadway Shop
A good view of Norfolk Southern motor car MT-19, No. 7805, with the curtain drawn back, showing the car controls. Photographed at the NS Roadway Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina by Rick Tufts. Scan by Don Howe.

NW64110.JPG, Don Howe
Still in N&W Markings
A photo of Norfolk & Western speeder No. 64110, still showing the N&W markings fifteen years after the merger. Photographed at the Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop in Charlotte, NC, by Rick Tufts of Pinehurst, NC, and scanned by Don Howe.

NWSHEFF.JPG, Don Howe
An N&W Sheffield
This is a Norfolk & Western Sheffield motor car seen at the Norfolk Southern Roadway shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. Note the half wind screen and absence of seats. In the background you can see my latest purchase loaded on the trailer ready for the trip home. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

OCTOPUS1.JPG, Paul Sharpe
James Bond car, on rails, from film "Octopussy"
This car (make/model unknown) was used in the James Bond film "Octopussy." I photographed it on the Nene Valley Railway, near Peterborough, in the UK. Note the "bullet-holes" in windscreen & body. It was used in a train chasing sequence in the film.

OFSPDR.JPG, Don Howe
Posing for the Tourists
An old Fairmont on display at the old Southern Railway depot in Old Fort, North Carolina, location of the famous Old Fort Loops.

OFSPDR2.JPG, Don Howe
Out to Pasture
A Fairmont speeder that has done its duty and is now resting at the old Southern Railway depot in Old Fort, North Carolina, home of the famous Old Fort Loops.

ONANCARB.GIF, Don Howe
A Gasoline Carburetor
A drawing of a common gasoline carburetor found on most Onan gasoline engines. Companion file to CARBADJ.TXT also found in this section.

ONANSPE.TXT, Don Howe
Onan CCKB Engine Specifications
The Onan CCKB engine specifications.

ONANSTO.TXT, Don Howe
Onan CCKB Engine Storage Procedure
The recommended procedure for preparing an Onan CCKB motor car engine for storage.

ONANX.GIF, Don Howe
Onan Engine Cross Section
Onan engine cross section drawing with major components labeled.

ONASER.TXT, Don Howe
Onan Service Schedule
From an Onan CCKB operators manual giving the recommended service schedule.

OPMT19A.TXT, Don Howe
Operating an MT-19A Motor Car
Recommended operating procedures for a Fairmont MT-19A motor car.

PRR7037.JPG, Don Howe
PRR in the Lead
The lead cars of a recent southeastern excursion with a Pennsylvania Railroad decorated car at the head. My car is the third back. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

RAILBIKE.JPG, Don Howe
Aberdeen & Rockfish Railbike
A rare Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad railbike. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

RRWAGON.TXT, Bob Craven
RR Wagon in Pennsylvannia
This is an ad for a railroad station baggage wagon found in an ad. The location is N Central PA. Hope someone will give it a good home.

RSCD7.JPG, Robert Schoneman
Robert Schoneman's Speeder
Robert's speeder all lit up and puffing steam. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSDOCK.JPG, Robert Schoneman
Ore Dock Lineup
A part of the lineup on an ore dock over Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSHIGH.JPG, Robert Schoneman
High, Windy and Scary!
A view of the lineup high up on an ore dock over Lake Superior, Marquette, Michigan. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSPANL.JPG, Robert Schoneman
A CD-7 Operator's Panel
An Algoma Central CD-7 motor car operator's panel. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSPEE.JPG, Robert Schoneman
Anybody Got a Wrench?
A stop for repairs, bathroom and beans on a LS&I motor car trip at Marquette, Michigan. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSTOUR.JPG, Robert Schoneman
A Break in the Action
The excursion takes a break and tours the LS&I Eagle Mills repair facility near Marquette, Michigan. Origial photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSTRESS.JPG, Robert Schoneman
A Welcome Break
A chance to stretch your legs at Dead Creek trestle during a recent Wisconsin excursion. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

RSWOODS.JPG, Robert Schoneman
A Wilderness Ride
A view of the next speeder on a recent Wisconsin excursion. Original photo by Robert Schoneman, scan by Don Howe.

SCLSPDR.JPG, Don Howe
Fairmont 2-stroke at Hamlet
A Seaboard Fairmont 2-stroke motor car on display at the National Railroad Museum in Hamlet, North Carolina.

SEDAN.JPG, Don Howe
An Early Hirail Sedan
A rare track inspection sedan seen at the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad in North Carolina. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

SHEDD_1.JPG, Don Howe
Two Car Motor Car Shed
A rare view of a motor car shed with a car waiting to be put away. Photo by Rick Tufts of Pinehurst, NC, scanned by Don Howe.

SPDRLOT.JPG, Don Howe
Speeder Paradise
A lot full of speeders awaiting their fate at a railroad storage facility.

SPEEDER.TXT, Don Howe
SR Speeder Standard Procedure
Standard operating procedure for operators of motor cars (speeders) on the old Southern Railway. The format and layout has been simplified for posting here.

SPEEDR4.JPG, Don Howe
Motor Car Data Plate
A closeup photograph of the data plate found on the engine cover of Southern Rwy Fairmont MT-19, carrying identification number 7414. This car is equipped with the Onan engine, two-speed transmission, and rubber tired wheels.

TIMING.GIF, Don Howe
Setting the Timing
Drawing of the ignition breaker box and flywheel on the typical Onan engine.

TROLLEY.JPG, Don Howe
A Trolley or a Motor Car?
A motor car enthusiast's wild imagination has produced this nice example of "The Cannonball Trolley". What looks to have started life as a gang car now resembles a trolley working the Frog Log Lane line. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

UP729.JPG, Don Howe
Nice UP729 Speeder
Tom Falicon's very nice example of Union Pacific motor car number 729, photographed on a recent southeastern excursion. Rick Tufts photo, scanned by Don Howe.

WHEELZZ.TXT, Don Howe
Quiet Wheels
An explanation of one method of silencing the ringing of motor car pressed steel wheels when rolling on steel rail.

X7020A.JPG, Don Howe
NS7020 Side View
A side view of NS motor car 7020 with side curtains closed. Note the new radiator hose used as a rail sweep.

ZENITH.GIF, Don Howe
Drawing of Zenith Carburetor
Blow up drawing of a Zenith carburetor used on many Fairmont motor cars.