Unusual Locomotives and Railcars

All around our world different engineers designed vehicles which seemingly suited the circumstances with which they were dealing.

Across the British railway network, and particularly on some of the light railways which sprang to life after the Light Railways Act 1896, there were a number of unusual locomotives and railcars.

This article focusses on two locomotives - Gazelle and Old Chainey.

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/01/02/unusual-small-locomotives-and-railcars-part-1

Old Chainey is a chain and flywheel-driven loco built in 1872, for use on the tramway between Quainton Road and Brill. It was not very successful, especially if loads were heavy. It lasted in service on the Tramway until 1895.

Click to expand...

Three further unusual locomotives/railcars. ...

The first was the first Michelin Pneumatic-Tyred Railcar (Type No.9) in the UK. The second are locomtives designed to serve the narrow gauge lines in The Guinness Factory in Dublin and a clever conversion vehicle which allowed the same locos to proviide traction on the Irish Standard Gauge as well. The third are railcars that were used by Colonel Stephens on a number of his Light Railways. ....

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/01/03/unusual-locomotives-and-railcars-part-2

The 1973 Railway World Annual edited by Alan Williams contained an article by W.T. Thornwell entitled, “Forward from Steam,” which featured a number of different proposals for developing passenger and freight services in the 1930s. One of the experimental vehicles which could be seen on British rails was the Michelin Pneumatic-Tyred Railcar.

Click to expand...

Interesting stuff - thanks. My father remembered seeing railcar of some sort on the "Nicky" line (Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden). That would have been an experimental LMS one, I guess. I think he said it had road as well as railway wheels.

DerekC said:

Interesting stuff - thanks. My father remembered seeing railcar of some sort on the "Nicky" line (Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden). That would have been an experimental LMS one, I guess. I think he said it had road as well as railway wheels.

Click to expand...

Hi, yes the rubber-tyred railcar was, I understand, trialed on both GWR and LMS rails.

DerekC said:

Interesting stuff - thanks. My father remembered seeing railcar of some sort on the "Nicky" line (Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden). That would have been an experimental LMS one, I guess. I think he said it had road as well as railway wheels.

Click to expand...

That would have been the Karrier Ro-Railer which was initially used on that line:

https://www.magzter.com/article/New...rs-Ahead-Of-Their-Time-Or-Overtaken-By-Events