Steam & Excursion > Rail detector car in the early 1920?

Someone sent me these pictures, I have never seen or heard of one of these....Any comments?

---

~

---

~

---

It's a *lot* earlier than the 1920's, judging by the ladies' fashions -- I'd guess more like the 1890's. And I doubt it's a rail *detector* car that many years ago. My guess would be a rail *inspection* vehicle -- like modern business cars with the big window in the end and "theater" seating, except for looking forward, not backward. That is, it's a custom-built shelter mounted on the pilot of an older locomotive, for officials to ride on/in while they check out the track. The single passenger car coupled to the locomotive tends to confirm this theory.

Just my $0.02 worth...

Geezer is correct, on both the date and the functionality of the machine.

The officials had a good view of the track, but how did the engineer see? Was there a communication system of some sort?

The top photo is of CB&Q 4-4-0 Inspection engine #388 at Bridgeport, Nebraska, in November of 1929. She was retired December of 1931. She was built at West Burlington as Burlington and Missouri River #167 in 1887 and later became CB&Q #129. The approximate year of her conversion into an inspection engine was 1920.

The middle photo is of Inspection Locomotive #366 and Office Car 84 and is believed to be in western Nebraska about 1913. #366 was originally built by Manchester in 1878 as B&MR #24, the "Brownsville". She was rebuilt in Havelock into an A-1 in 1897. The conversion into a track inspection locomotive came about 1912. She was retired in April of 1928.

The bottom photo is of CB&Q Inspection Engine #360 which was built from a Class A-2 4-4-0. She was originally built in Hannibal, Missouri, for the St. Louis, Keokuk and Northwestern as their number #26 in 1892. At some date, she was renumbered 726. The conversion may have been done in the Galesburg shops about 1912. The photo is believed to have been taken about 1915 and the engine is towing office car #80. She was assigned to the general superintendent of the Illinois District so "somewhere in Illinois" is probably a pretty good guess as to the location of the photo. #360 was one of twelve 4-4-0 that the "Q" modified in one manner or another to serve as "track inspection locomotives." Like the #366, she was retired in April of 1928. Thanks to "Steam Locomotives of the Burlington Route" and to "Burlington Bulletin" #39 for the information.

Silver Sky

I'll bet it was a HOT ride in that thing!

tomstp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'll bet it was a HOT ride in that thing!

Ohhh, but how many of us would practically sell our right arm to ride in that contraption. It is a shame that none of those were saved.

BaltoJoey

Thanks, MTMEngineer, for confirming my guess, and more thanks, SilverSky, for providing the detailed information. Looks like I have a lot to learn about ladies' fashions in the 1910's -- or else, midwestern ladies were a little "behind the fashion curve" in those years!

BaltoJoey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tomstp Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'll bet it was a HOT ride in that thing!
>
> Ohhh, but how many of us would practically sell
> our right arm to ride in that contraption. >
> BaltoJoey



You bet !! and finance the left arm !


SLO