“Speeders,” self-propelled cars used by track gangs, have come in many shapes and sizes. Today, they are as popular to preserve full-scale as they are in models.
6-37066 Maintenance of Way
The speeder, or track car, replaced the hand-powered pumpcars and velocipedes, beginning in the 1920s. The first cars were not much more than a small engine, four wheels and a bench. Often they were home-built in railroad shops. Crude as they may have seemed, compared to pumping your way several miles just to get to the work site, these were a welcome relief to those who used them.
6-37064 CSX
Over time, the speeders evolved into larger and more elaborate vehicles. Roofs, windshields, and eventually side walls enclosed the passenger compartments. Larger cars could carry six or more men. Some speeders had top speeds of more than 40 mph and were often powerful enough to tow an extra cart or two with tools, spikes, etc.
6-37065 BNSF
Starting in the 1950s, the traditional rail-only speeder began to be replaced by larger and more-versatile hi-rail vehicles which could run on both rails and roads. By the mid 1980s, most had been replaced on the larger lines. Today, hundreds of the little speeders have been preserved in museums and tourist lines and by private owners who often gather for excursions.
They are one of the most affordable ways to get into 1:1 scale railroading as a hobby. And while some have carefully restored their cars to the original appearance, others have applied unique paint schemes based on favorite prototypes or complete fancy.
6-37067 New York Central
There are lots of uses for these little cars on your layout. Whether you want to have one for your section gangs to inspect your railroad, or gather a fleet and model a modern excursion, the new Lionel command control speeders will add a fun element to any model railroad. They’ll even look great sitting beside the tracks on a set-out when not in use.
For small cars, these critters are packed with features:
-
6-37063 Pennsylvania
Run with Command Control or Conventional
- Forward and Reverse operation
- Directional headlights
- Blinking strobe light
- Interior light
- Die-cast metal frame
- Maintenance-free motor
- Traction tire
- Detailed Interior
- Driver figure
The speeders will negotiate an O-27 curve and come decorated for seven popular railroads past and present and a generic Maintenance of Way scheme.
6-37061 Union Pacific
- Union Pacific (6-37061)
- Norfolk Southern (6–37062)
- Pennsylvania (6-37063)
- CSX (6-37064)
- BNSF (6-37065)
- Maint. of Way (6-37066)
- New York Central (6-37067)
- Canadian National (6-37068)
The speeders retail for $149.99 and should ship next month. Pick one up and tour your layout in style!
6-37062 Norfolk Southern
6-37068 Canadian National
How about some in “S” scale even if the cab is the same! Tom Eubank toloeubank@frontier.com
I really like the Pennsylvania! want to know where to buy it and how much! Thanks for sharing!
You can use the dealer locator on our website, http://www.lionel.com, to find a licensed dealer near you. Our MSRP is $149.99, but some dealers may price theirs lower.
I’m curious what age the prototype for these speeders would have been? I run a 50’s railroad, but I understand some speeders were produced as late as the 80’s.
These speeders would look right at home on a 50’s era railroad (in the right paint schemes of course!) Ours does not follow any specific prototype, but is very similar to common varieties from that era.