While the rear 'trailer' truck on the McKeen cars seemed to be a pretty standard drop equalized light passenger or interurban truck, the front truck, with it's long wheelbase and different size wheels, is as distinctive as the shape of the carbody itself. The engine mounted directly on the frame of this truck (nothing like minimizing un-sprung weight) and the engine flywheel was visible under the edge of the carbody.

The Nevada State Railway Museum did a nice job of replicating the appearance of this truck, even to powering a mocked up flywheel. Perhaps they would share what they have done. Drawings of the original truck seem to be prevalent on the web, although I suspect they are patent drawings and may not show the trucks as actually built.

As for the trailer truck, you might try contacting the Illinois Railway Museum; they have more than a few extra trucks from scrapped Chicago "L" cars that may be workable.

Workable, but I think it would be best if we made our rear truck to be a near perfect replacement, a truck that can work is likely not a proper truck.

For a trailer truck, you could use the other one left over from CGW 1000, sitting outside at Carson City. Maybe the body would be of value to you. Perhaps its early EMC control equipment may be needed by someone restoring an early doodlebug somewhere?
http://www.nsrm-friends.org/nsrm87.html

Olin -

Interesting info about the CGW 1000 (formerly M-1002). I wonder if there are any photos of her with the Climax boiler applied in the 1923 rebuild. I'm assuming they used the original McKeen trucks, or did they?

Les

No, they rebuilt both trucks, to my knowledge. I have also collected over 1000 photos of McKeen Cars, and never a photo of the #1000 between 1924 (in my book) and 1928. Also I heard it was a Shay Engine but either way, it would be interesting to see.

Good to hear about all the progress, and history that you have amassed. Somewhere I have an old photo of a McKeen doodlebug that was used as a diner. I think in Ohio.

On a visit to Carson City I recall I was told they used one of the trucks as the rear truck on V&T 22. I'm sorry if that is not the case. I just consider that the Bluebird was built by CGW in combining several McKeen cars. Perhaps they motorized a truck - which would be a modification that is not too hard to undo. Also note that the headlight and other perhaps a window or two are still installed. This might provide hardware that you would need for your project. NSRM is worth a visit, if nothing else!

Best of luck in your projects,
O.

I am freinds with the guys up there, I'll see if they have any useful parts I could use.

Also, that diner in Ohio would likely be the ex-Lakeside and Marblehead motor car. The car caught fire in the 60's (?) and was scrapped a second time.

And Thank You for your comment.

M.K.

She has hit the California-Oregon State Line, I hope to see her today when she arrives in San Diego for unloading. This has been an amazing trip, Thank You everyone who has helped with this project, but it's only just begun.

Those bottom two pictures look like the I-5 Siskiyou Summit--about 5 miles from the state line! That's the brake-check area.
Is this more than half-way "home?"

She is right now about 2 hours away from home, here in Ramona, California. This was yesterday that she hit the summit. They wanted to take a picture at the state line with the "Welcome to California" Sign, but weren't able to.

Looking at the trucks, would it be feasible at all for now to have the trucks of an RS-1 preferably with friction bearings swapped under. I know it wouldn't be historically accurate but they're probably the best look alike contenders (AAR Type-B) out there.

We are most likely going to build the trucks from scratch, and put in a new Diesel Electric drive. The rear truck will also be custom fabricated to match the original
.

Too bad you couldn't fix up a seat in it and ride her on in. Although it might be a bit drafty.

Looking good.

A bit of an opportunity lost - on something this unusual rolling down the highway, a sign with the web page for the organization might have generated some interest in the project.

Have you put together a news release and/or arranged for a local TV station to cover as it rolls into its new home?

Saturday at Siskiyou Summit looks like a nice day -- Sunday would have been rainy.

On Sunday I traveled southward from Eugene and I encountered on and off (mostly on) rain until I got past Redding, CA.