Still in use at an old power plant for moving heavy equipment. Sits on standard gauge track and propelled by an air-powered motor (I suspect the motor is a modern add-on). The cart looks quite old, though. I wonder who manufactured it?

It kinda looks like one of those Nisqually-Russel logging disconnects, though some of the features are different.

Or maybe an old counterbalance car? Check out the second photo in this article: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Piece-of-history-concealed-within-Queen-Anne-Hill-1198180.php#photo-666824

I wonder when the journals were last oiled. They look kind of dry from the outside.

Atlas Car & Mfg. in Cleveland made a lot of transfer cars for industry, but so did many other concerns. Does not look homemade though.

There is a old heavy duty cart somewhat similar to that down at Portsmouth,Ohio at an electrical substation that sits outdoors on maybe 50 ft. or so of track that runs between some of the large transformers there.It's off the south side of our NS main and side street that runs parallel to our tracks between Lincoln and Waller streets.It doesn't have the journal boxes on the end of the axles like in your photo though but is a heavy duty looking cart about the same size with flanged wheels.I've never seen it being used in the 18 years i've been going by it several times a week.

Well If that is in Washington or Oregon I'm almost sure it is made from a rail mounted skidder truck. In the West Coast very large logging skidders were mounted on special trucks similar in design to this one and on the top was a flat circular steel ring that allowed the truck to move 360 degrees. Also the wheels on these trucks are only 24" in diameter.

Here is a photo showing a skidder with the trucks I'm talking about.

http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm-a ... OX=1&REC=3

The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA has a set of these trucks.

Richard Wilkens

Thanks to everyone for replying.

Richard, it looks like you've figured out the origin of this truck. Very interesting.