Bit confused.

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:12 pm

While doing some searching on Sperry Rail Service equipment on railroad picture archives, I fould what appears to look like an old Mack railbus. I know that sperry still uses massive numbers of old doodlebugs, but I'm unsure if sperry ever bought any Mack railbusses second-hand
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPictur ... id=2073701

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:14 pm

daylight4449 wrote:

While doing some searching on Sperry Rail Service equipment on railroad picture archives, I fould what appears to look like an old Mack railbus. I know that sperry still uses massive numbers of old doodlebugs, but I'm unsure if sperry ever bought any Mack railbusses second-hand.
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPictur ... id=2073701

On second hand, I just found my answer. But I wasn't aware that any other Mack railbusses survive. I know that DRM has one that is in remington arms paint. Is there any others aside from the two I'm describing here?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:59 pm

Sperry Rail Services is down to a scant few "doodlebug-style" rail detector cars, having largely shifted to more compact and maneuverable hi-rail trucks instead. A couple SRS employees are actually railfans, with one well-known name who might still be registered here........

steaminfo · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:03 pm

daylight4449 wrote:

While doing some searching on Sperry Rail Service equipment on railroad picture archives, I fould what appears to look like an old Mack railbus. I know that sperry still uses massive numbers of old doodlebugs, but I'm unsure if sperry ever bought any Mack railbusses second-hand
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPictur ... id=2073701

It isn't a Mack Railbus it was built by Sperry Rail Services in 1986.

geep392 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:31 pm **Posts:** 38

This is indeed a Mack FCD railbus that was built for the New Haven. I saw some pictures from "one of the Sperry railfan employees who is somewhat famous", and the thing still has the original Mack engine in it! I last saw it being used on the New York Subway system--probably where hi-rail trucks can't go.

wesp · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:49 pm

Are the Sperry Macks still using their original PCC-style trucks?

Wesley

NH1402 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:05 pm

One other Mack railbus of this type still survives in the Museo del Ferrocarril de Asturias, in Gijon, Spain. I believe it is the only survivor of the 6 that were sold to Spain . It has been nicely restored and is on display indoors. I hope to get over there to see it someday.
http://www.plataforma-n.com/webtonuke.php?web=articulos/documentacion/automotores_mack_ffcc_langreo.htm

Sperrys Mack SRS403 is still running around on its original style trucks, although they are not quite PCC style. Still Powered by a Mack END 672, it was just recently replaced, along with the traction generator. The traction motors are original.

15 of the Big Cars are still in service with a few spare remaining as parts donors, Down from 23 when I started 12 years ago.

Randy Natale
Sperry Rail Service
Defacto SRS403 Mechanic