Swiss Velocipedes by Christoph Berger

Transcription

1 And other Hand Powered Rail Vehicles Hajtany (HU) Railbike (US,GB) Dresinsykling (NO) Handcar (US) Handhebeldraisine (DE) Drezina (RU) Resiina (FI) Drezyny (PL) Skinne cykel (DK) Cykeldressin (SE) Draisines (BE) Bicilinha (BR) Dresin (NO) Biciclette Ferroviarie (IT) Spoorvegfiets (BE) Dressin (SE,NO) Dresina (SP) Schienenvelo (CH) Dreziny (CZ) Spoorfiets (NL) Pump Car (US,GB) Velorail (FR,GB) Cyclo Draisine (FR) Hand Jigger (NZ) No 47 For this free newsletter, contact: Or download from: th National Velocipede Rally, Churnet Valley Railway 28 th & 29 th May, Possible Dean Forest Railway North Yorkshire Moors Railway Velocipede Event provisional Thurs 5 th & Fri 6 th Nov. Please note the Nene Valley Railway event will NOT now take place. USA Nevada Northern Event. 2 foot gauge: Statfold Barn Railway, 28 th March, 6 th June, 12 September Swiss Velocipedes by Christoph Berger The Swiss Federal Railway had a lot of Kalamazoo Handcars. There are about 20 still existing in different museums and collections. They were No. 7 Standard Steel Velocipedes, with extra attachment (the 4 th wheel). Photo Christoph Berger See 1888 catalogue 3:HBS.Baker.GEN: for more.

2 Preserved in Switzerland, in original condition with two trailing arms for the rear wheels. Photo Christoph Berger

3 With a modern axle between the trailing arms for the two back wheels. Photo Christoph Berger

4 Photo Christoph Berger The propelling lever is very well reinforced on this machine which also has replacement wheel centres and a modern back axle.

5 The machines do not appear to have individual numbers. But the catalogue Sent with this Newsletter gives instructions for finding the number of the car on pages 15 &16. In ordering Velocipede Repairs specify NUMBER OF CAR (located on Trailing Arm or Circle Bar), and if possible, state WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. located on Trailing Arm or Circle Bar this may be just the Model Number!

6 Christoph Berger, Disentis/Mustér, Graubünden, Switzerland I found your page and I'm very excited with this wonderful site with fantastic newsletters!!! I'm myself a collector of narrow-gauge railbikes, especially from the "Rhätische Bahn" Some resumes of latest activities: Photo Christoph Berger SWEDISH imported bike 1920/25, reconstruction with bike parts from Sweden, METER gage The first petrol railcar I restored with my dad was 2002/03, the ASPER from the ENGELBERG Railway in Central Switzerland, it dates from 1929/30.see: Photo Christoph Berger Photo Christoph Berger CONDOR, Courfaivre railbike, Rhätische Bahn, METER-gage Sherlock Holmes Moment From Cristoph I also found the patent you are looking for the special handcar described on your Newsletter 44 I looked on here you find all patents worldwide

7 Photo by Geoff Holland Issued in1898 to Gunnar Tjerneld from Karlstad, SWEDEN, Patent GB A I have not found out if he built his Velocipede with parts from Kalamazoo or started from scratch. Fig. 3.

8 Fig. 6. Fig. 4. A copy of the complete patent (including text) found by Christoph will be sent with this Newsletter. Christoph recommends this museum website in Austria. Fig. 5.

9 Kalamazoo No. 9 Officials Car. Catalogue picture (right) appears in the book Sugar Trains Pictorial. A No. 9 Officials Car this is narrow gauge and appears first in the 1892 catalogue. (This illustration Canopy Top Velocipede is from a later catalogue, we do not have a complete copy of this later catalogue, can you help with a scan?) A scan of the complete 1892 catalogue was kindly sent in by Rich Harner and will be sent out with this Newsletter.

10 Lary Shaffer asked Harvard to scan a gem from try Here, at last, is the link to the scan of the wicked cool Kalamazoo 1888 catalog that is in the Baker Library at Harvard. It has quite a lot of text in the front. One interesting point is that they note the flaws in the gas pipe gallows frame that they considered to be so wonderful only the year before in the 1887 catalog Catalogue Gas Pipe Gallows Also they introduce a wonderful new wheel which has a centre made of plywood and paper (probably US Patent No.363,839) In spite of all the hype, this wheel only lasted a few years and then it was replaced with something that could be left outdoors. What a surprise. Enjoy: See the 1892 Kalamazoo catalogue from Rich Harner sent out with this Newsletter, on page 21 Pump Cars have new all steel wheels. Lary is spot on.

11 Eccentric Chain Adjusters Used on Trackbikes Peter Hopkins is a veteran bike enthusiast at our local Quaker Meeting and explained the device to me. See Neutral Position Lock nut position varies (occasionally with two 90 degree lock nuts threaded through the outer casing directly clamping the moveable bearing carrier). LOOSE CHAIN TIGHT CHAIN Pedals move forward The back wheel does not move. The real adjuster is like this but they are usually a bit short to get decent leverage. Homemade tool with longer handle. One of the 2 peg holes can be seen above the pedal shaft. Adjustable spanner, with 2 pegs in the jaws.

12 Incoming s Phil Naylor still hunting manu-motive Should be outside cutting logs, but it s raining so thought I would look for manu motive instead. The attached is from G.A. Sekon's Evolution of the Steam Locomotive Could the Liverpool and Manchester Railway have sold their unwanted machines to a contractor who may just have left one unattended to be pinched by joy riders. Best wishes Phil From Anthony Barton I've looked at your fascinating website and wonder if you could help me. I'm engaged in a Wickhams of Ware project. Wickhams were the builders of trolleys for our railways as well as abroad. Amongst the more interesting vehicles they built was a Rail Bike for the Irish Rail (CIE) network in 1966, and a Rail Bike for London Transport that was used for heating rails. So far research into these vehicles has shown few results. Do you think you could shed any light on either of these? Anthony Jacqui Thomas replied I have not heard of either Wickham machine but they sound fascinating, I have forwarded your to those more knowledgeable than me: Jonathan Flood (has a Wickham group on the internet) Keith Gunner (who is the man for finding Wickham machine numbers and dates) Roy Hennefer who collects Wickham photos Mark Hambly who collects Wickham machines And Andrew Waldron who is the Irish Rail Guru Yours Jacqui. Reply from Keith Gunner I imagine (as a WoW Group member) that you will have a copy of The Wickham Works List (WWL) from which the two specific vehicles that you query can be confirmed as Wickham 9368 ("Special Pedal Trolley" for LTE; and Wickham ("2 man cycle") for CIE, Galway. The Endnotes in the WWL refer to Wkm 9368 as "Special Rail Warming Trolley with foot pedal propulsion"; and to Wkm as ordered 5/1966 and delivered towards the end of that year. "Wickham of Ware" 2003, ISBN gives constructional details of the CIE "bicycle for two" p.196, designed to utilize as far as possible standard cycle parts. Rail Warmer (but not pedal) p.180. Neat Thought, Jacqui Fourteen inch wheels were constructed from 3 profiled 3/16 inch mild steel

13 plates bolted together with spacers between the plates. (See wheel type on page 6 and below of this Newsletter). Unfortunately I can't trace photographs of either vehicle. Can Andrew Waldron help with the CIE example please? I am copying this to Mike Kennard (co-author of the WWL) in case he can add further details or photographs. Keith Gunner From Andrew Waldron Magic Photo The 1966 Wickham rail cycle built for CIE and delivered to Galway. In 1985 the cycle was used by a couple of Irish enthusiasts to take it over the North Kerry line from Tralee to Newcastle The trip was done over a week, so they covered the whole line, in fact I think they got as far as Ballinagrane Junction, which is right at the Northern tip of Co Kerry. This cycle was the last item to go over the line until it was lifted. These two lads under took the trip around 1985, although it had been closed a year earlier and here we see them on their travels, The actual cycle is preserved and later this year I am going to see it in Co Westmeath and take lots of photos from different angles and close up views of the interesting bits, Regards. Andrew From Jonathan Flood Magic Photo from the builders A provisional date was given in the last issue for an event at the Nene Valley Railway. Please note this event will NOT now take place. From John Midcalf Photo Michael Kennedy The Shildon/Weardale event has been held over to And John will update us on the plans at the Churnet Valley Railway on the 28 th & 29 th May this year.

14 From Scott Bradley I have a new source for wheels in the UK. For an astonishing photo story of what we are missing, go to 6 inch 10 inch 6" Wheel 10" Wheel. I have just purchased four of the 6" wheels for 204 delivered and they had them in stock in Sheffield. There are various methods of obtaining drive on these wheels which otherwise arrive with a 12mm axle on bearings From John Raby in China John organizes fantastic guided tours to see steam in the far flung corners of the globe where it remains, but he thought of us while there and sent in these terrific narrow gauge trackbike photos. Photo John Raby On display at the open air museum at MIfeng. Not sure what the steering wheels are for apart from something to hang on to. John Photo John Raby Photo John Raby

15 North Yorkshire Moors Railway Junior Volunteers Group 2015 Velocipede Day at Levisham 14 th March Tammy Naylor and the rest of the NYMR Velocipede Group invited the Junior Volunteers Group down to Levisham Station for the day for a ride on three machines that they transported there using the MPD pickup truck. The day ran from to 15.00, with possession of the line from Levisham to Farwath crossing. Neil Macdonald joined us for the day to ensure that the track possession was carried out correctly. Paul, Steve and Sean of the NYMR Velocipede Group for organising the day, providing logistical support and maintaining a sense of humour at all times. Thanks also to Levisham Station Group and Weighbridge Teas for hosting the invasion and providing the very many cups of tea, sandwiches, etc. The future of the Velocipede Group A large group attended, consisting of 25 Junior Volunteers, 14 adult supervisors and 7 assistant supervisors, making a total of 46. As no trains were running that day a good number of parents were also present to provide transport and watch their offspring pedal. Everyone seemed to have a great day out, with at least one ride, most having several turns. We are grateful to the Tammy Naylor plus Phil, More future If the occasion presents itself next year we would be very interested in a repeat performance! Such opportunities are very good for morale.

16 NYMR Velocipede Group The Yorkshire lot are going to try for some lottery funding to get a pick up, trailer, rail motor huts built and some information panels for our machines. This will make it easier to keep them and attend rallies. What is the chances of a letter of support for our bid ( 10,000)? Tam. Tam will explain more at the CVR Rally, (the letters must tick lots of boxes) so please wait for advice on what is needed. Jacqui. Is it only me getting these adverts pop up on my internet connected screen? ps We are now the proud owners of a rather spectacular trailer - above, so are possibly going for 4 rail motor huts, a pick up truck and accompanying interpretation. Tam Kevin suggested they should paint it really bright colours so it gets noticed! do they really love me? I was going to offer them Photo Analysis since I spend a lot of free time doing it (we don t have a television, we make do with reality). I have also been offering suggestions to Rich Harner on reading (decoding) the comments written on an 1893 Kalamazoo Catalogue, (one below). Can you read this, for Rich not MI5. Jacqui