Doing a little off-topic surfing last night, and got to wondering if many museums, rail, transport, auto or otherwise have offered the experience of riding in or driving an old car or truck as a fundraising device? Given the popularity of the drive-a-locomotive experience, this seems a natural offshoot.

A lot of people, including many in our own railroad ranks, have an interest in old vehicles, but don't have the time or money needed to restore one themselves. Having inherited two classic cars several years ago, I quickly sold them when I realized how much work and money a frame-off restoration entailed. That said, however, a fair number of folks might pay for the experience of riding in or driving one.

While one would probably not want novices grinding the gears of a rare Hupmobile, more common cars like Fords (for which nearly all parts are readily available) should work out well.

A closed course for training would probably be best until drivers became familiar with shifting patterns, mechanical brakes, etc.. The Model T is a whole different experience in itself. The idea might also expand to other icons, like John Deere tractors.

Even on just a ride, one could explain how private ownership of cars killed passenger trains and how public investment in roads made it harder for the railroads to compete. The ride should include a short piece of badly rutted dirt road, to illustrate what driving was really like in the 1920s-30s, while rail passengers sailed along in comfort at 60mph.

I have no idea how insurance would affect such a program, but suspect it could be worked out. Has anyone had experience with trying this?

Incidently, one of the cars I inherited was identical to the one below, which is in Poland of all places.

1931 Dodge 6 4 door
ryarger@rypn.org

> Doing a little off-topic surfing last night,
> and got to wondering if many museums, rail,
> transport, auto or otherwise have offered
> the experience of riding in or driving an
> old car or truck as a fundraising device?
> Given the popularity of the
> drive-a-locomotive experience, this seems a
> natural offshoot.

Not a bad idea given that several museums cover the whole transportation
spectrum including autos as well as railroad equipment. There are private firms and museums that rent classic cars for high school proms,homecomings,etc. and to the movie/TV industry. Insurance for the repair/replacement
of the vehicle might be a little pricey but otherwise it shouldn't be much different than renting a new car at Hertz. It wouldn't have much to do with railroading but could certainly put some cash in the till. Many museums also have trucks and buses(including fire trucks),boats,airplanes,circus wagons,and other horse-drawn wagons that might offer other possibilities along the same lines.
mw

p_michael_warren@yahoo.com

I pay attention to old-car museums, and I've never taken note of any that invite customers to actually take the wheel. Greenfield Village may still sell rides in Model T Fords. (Despite the commonness of these vehicles and their spare parts, the Ford Motor Company spent major bucks to produce a half-dozen new Model T's, I believe for this service, at the time of their centennial last year.)

My son and I were given a ride in a hundred-year-old single-cylinder Olds recently in Olds' home town of Lansing at a civic event, but that's not the same as driving one (with a tiller). A Steam Railroading Institute member once gave me a ride in his Model T over many miles in 45-degree weather, which was a much more memorable experience than I was ready (or dressed) for.

Period auto travel lends meaning to exhibits on passenger railroading. The fact that a frigid ride over mud roads in a Model T was a competitor to a trip in a warm, comfy interurban seat tells us something about the importance of flexibility in route and scheduling. One of the most important facts about the death of passenger trains (often ignored by passenger-train foamers) is that given the choice between the stylish, luxurious, air-conditioned, re-equipped, streamlined passenger trains of the late 1940's, operating on good track and fast schedules; and a trip in a 1947 Studebaker Starlight Coupe over lethal 3-lane highways at 45 m.p.h. with the windows open to dust and noise, the U.S. traveling public went with the Stude. Virtually every time.

And finally, for a real old-car experience, are there any museums that let you crank one, at the risk to your thumb and arm if the spark isn't set right?

- Aarne H. Frobom
Steam Railroading Institute
P. O. Box 665
Owosso, Michigan 48867-0665

Drive a Berkshire: $475, inquire at address above. No extra charge for driving `61 Lincoln.

> Not a bad idea given that several museums
> cover the whole transportation
> spectrum including autos as well as railroad
> equipment. There are private firms and
> museums that rent classic cars for high
> school proms,homecomings,etc. and to the
> movie/TV industry. Insurance for the
> repair/replacement
> of the vehicle might be a little pricey but
> otherwise it shouldn't be much different
> than renting a new car at Hertz. It wouldn't
> have much to do with railroading but could
> certainly put some cash in the till. Many
> museums also have trucks and buses(including
> fire trucks),boats,airplanes,circus
> wagons,and other horse-drawn wagons that
> might offer other possibilities along the
> same lines.
> mw

We have, on occassion, allowed patrons to ride in our 1911 Havers, which was built here in Port Huron. It is a pretty rare experience though, as this is one of three known in existence today. As far as driving goes (beyond the rarety) I doubt 90% of the people out there could do it: its right hand drive, is braked via lever, and is shifted via a series of small levers mounted in the center of the steering wheel. Neat once you get the hang of it, but NOTHING like an automobile of today.

I think the Henry Ford has it right with the "new" Model T's they had built. Exactly like the originals, but yet not original production and so not damaging original fabric. One of the best ideas they have come up with yet for giving people the feel without damaging artifacts.

Below, our Havers.

TJG


Port Huron Museum

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

I apologize in advance, Erik, for getting a bit off-topic, but this news is fascinating.

I looked on the Greenfield website and could find nothing about the "new" T's. Anyone know more about this?

Thanks!

> I apologize in advance, Erik, for getting a
> bit off-topic, but this news is fascinating.

Heck, Scott, I'm not that bad! Other examples of reproducing or operating historic technology for interpretation is a great topic.

eledbetter@rypn.org

Ford came up with the idea of producing a “new” Model T for the 100th Anniversary Celebration. They commissioned 10 or 12 bodies to be made of the 1913 model. Only 7 of the cars were completed and used by Ford for the celebration. The other bodies were sold and one of them is owned by one of our employees here in Wichita. He is in the process of building from the ground up a new 1913 Model T. Little known fact about Ford is that he bought a lot of parts for his cars from the Dodge Brothers, like front axles. They all carry the casting stamp DB on the casting and are just as sought after a part as one with the Ford casting stamp.

johndeck@cox.net

Bob,

Three of the Maine Narrow Gauge Museums have track cars.Two of them are Model Ts and one is a bus body. The T track cars get a fair bit of use. Museum visitors at the WW&F Museum can ride in them, while a volunteer controlls the car.

The other track cars that are running these days are the Galloping Geese at the various Colorado Museums. They seem to be running most of them these days, but I don't know how often they are available for the public to ride in them..

ted_miles@nps.gov

> Museum visitors at the WW&F
> Museum can ride in them, while a volunteer
> controlls the car.

That car, the SR&RL Railcar #2, only visits for a few weeks during the summer, unfortunately.

In a year or so we should have our own model-T railcar. Or at least I hope.