In the days before motorized Fairmont track speeders, and todays Hi Rail equipped Pick up trucks and S.U.V's....This is how railroad track inspectors and maintenance of way department crews commuted to the lineside job sites.This is a "Hand Car", wich is propelled by pumping up and down on the handles. Just in front of the number 81 on the deck, is a little step on brake pedal. Handcars came about during the 1800's, and were in use into the early 20th century.
A famous handcar, is the one that appeared occasionally on the 1960's television show "Petticoat Junction", wich aired on CBS from 1963 to 1970. That handcar is from the Sierra Railroad in Jamestown California USA, wich is known today as the Railtown 1897 tourist attraction. Other handcars can be seen at various railroad museums around the country. The example shown here, is a small two foot track guage model.
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