Greetings All:
I am pleased to report of the successful test running this past weekend on the C&TS.
Edwards could not be more proud to have this first new 3ft gauge motor rail car running on the C&TS. This is the first of many cars being built for the new Andean Railway Corp. Edwards cars will be operated on the 3 ft. gauge line running to Machu Picchu, Peru. Below is a narrative of the testing this weekend.

The car is 60ft in length, 8.6 wide, 12ft from the top of the rail to the top of the roof. 74,000 lbs. About 15,500lbs of tractive effort. The propulsion is two 160 hp diesel engines, each with a hydraulic pump. Three powered axles by means of hydraulic motor mounted in each truck, sprockets on the drive shaft of the motor and double 120 roller chain to transmit power to the sprocket on the axle. The two inboard axles are powered. The third hydrostatic motor is mounted in the front axle, of the front truck. This third motor is normally "off line" and can be brought "on-line" in case a problem with one of the other motors, or it can be brought on-line along with the other two. With the two powered axles the capability of the car is to maintain 25 mph up a 3.2% grade, top speed on level track is 30 mph.
We unloaded the car Friday morning and Friday evening we went out about 6 miles. Same on Saturday afternoon. Sunday we ran all the way to Sublette. At Lava we stopped at the bottom of the switch back so we could try going up a 4% grade from a dead stop. Walked right up and got to about 19 mph by the time we got to the top and had to slow down for the switch. Pleased to report that on all test runs we had no breakdowns. We do have a few items to tweak and adjust, which we are in the process of working on. Nothing major, some computer program changes, different set up on the air pressure regulator on the hydraulic oil resv tank. Just a few items. We had the Parker Hydraulic and Cummins reps with us as well. HVAC worked well..especially the heat. The car has controls on each end of the car. It will be possible to MU up to four cars together. Seating for 60 passengers, pantry and water closet.

The M-100 was built at the Edwards facility in Montgomery, Alabama. Shipped to Antonito and then will be taken to Huston, loaded on a ship, through the canal and to Lima.

The crew at Edwards was lead by VP Rick Hansen and GM Bill Stoker. Edwards support team of Henry Weller, Rob Mangles and Gary Bensman round out the crew putting this car together.

Major thanks to Ed Ellis and Jack Roberson at the SLRG for support and facilitating arrangements with C&TS.

This incredible opportunity for testing would not have been possible without the gracious cooperation of the C&TS, especially Soni, Frank Turner, Marvin, Ronnie and the C&TS track crew.

And of course mega thanks to the Andean Railway Corp. for having great faith in the revival of the Edwards motor rail car

Regards to all that helped out in Antonito.
Steve Torrico, Pres.
Edwards Rail Car Co.

Congrats on a beautiful new car.

I suppose a standard gage version is also available? Any idea as to price?

I'm particularly pleased with the truck design - looks very like MCB streetcar trucks. Might you be able to produce new trucks for electric cars?

dave

Standard gauge available. Price range is $475K to 875K, depends on size of car, HVAC system, propulsion system and operating parameters required. This car needs to make 25mph up a 3.2% and be able to MU up to 3 other cars. We used an MCB Interurban traction truck as the bases of the trucks built new for this car. We also have a design for a lighter MCB streetcar trucks ideal for street railway service. All new trucks will be equipped with railway roller bearings. Attached is a close up of the truck showing the hydrostatic motor placement. We are now working on the development of using a axle mounted reduction gear instead of the chain drive.

I like the size difference between the hydraulic motor and traction motors - I wonder if the next generation of replica electric streetcars might profitable by electric hydraulic - one big motor pumping hydraulic fluid to truck mounted motors.........

dave

Awesome, Steve. Thanks for posting! 3-foot, eh? I suppose a 2-foot gauge version would be possible? :-)

Stephen

Neat, but I think the seats need cushions on the armrests.

Why don't we take this oppurtunity for Edwards to brag about all of the fine work they did on the John Ringling private railcar the Wisconsin?

I move that additional car testing be mandated, with a tour involving the Huckleberry RR, the Tweetsie, the East Broad Top, and other three-foot lines. Maybe one of these cars would do wonders for the EBT..........

Hey, I can dream, can't I?

We at Edwards are looking to develop a demonstration car that could do exactly as you suggest. We don't think the doodlebug should replace the steam engine, but we do think that a doodlebug is a great addition to a steam program. We recently restored a 1913 interurban car, made it self propelled and outfitted it as a dining car. It is operating on a short-line freight railroad in dinner train service. Its a great way to have a dinner train operation without the infrastructure of a full size train. Again, not to replace the regular train, but its great for lunches and weekdays with fewer people. The ERC doodlebug takes a motorman and conductor and on average gets 5-7 miles per gallon of fuel.

Very good news. America can export rail equipment in 2008. Peru is on my short list of places to visit, maybe I'll get to ride it down there. I saw the one your guys did in Cape Charles, VA and it was nicely done. Best of luck with future projects and thanks for bringing Edwards back to life.