"Urban Explorers": Problem or Promotion?

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

I saw a photo somewhere of a handcar that had been fitted with railings on all four sides so folks riding on it had some protection against falling off. It seems to me that the railings angled away from the car, at least on the ends, so there was room for the pumpers to bend. The railing appeared to have been fabricated from perhaps two-inch pipe.

I would also make the observation that the Strasburg RR, one of the most successful and safety-conscious steam tourist railroads, offers visitors a chance to pump a handcar, along with the aforementioned"cranky cars" for kids and the wonderful Cagney park train. Their car does not have railings.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:58 am

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

In defense of "handcar stupidity:"

I'm well aware that the old-fashioned "handcar" is an OSHA nightmare. ...
So what can we do about this? Can we exploit this thrill without creating an insurer's nightmare?

You misunderstand. I have no problem with handcars. They are professionally designed to be rail vehicles and have good axles and hardy wheels with full flanges and proper profile.

I'm talking about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYL0z__n6mQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE6gM-qtjTU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmQi3YNaVms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPK9qgEBD-k

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2012 11:39 pm

By the way, here's a picture of a handcar with the handrails by the way. This is at Cass. Note the shiny wheels. Again I have no problem with this. Note the full flange Fairmont style wheels.

Attachment:

Handcar Handrails.jpg [ 88.67 KiB | Viewed 2063 times ]