SP Motorized/Modified Velocipede?

Location and year unknown.

 

Was this a velocepede?

 

Note the 'SP' on the toolbox which is in front of the man in the rear. Also note what appears to be a chain oiler above and to the left of the rear wheel.

Any Southern Pacific historians out there who recognize the location, people, and/or equipment?

Email: vintage@narcoa.org


Subject: Re: Help on Picture Identification
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 19:21:07 -0800
From: Kenneth Harrison <train98@concentric.net>
To: narcoa <rstivers@narcoa.org>

I looked at the picture, Rich, and I can assure you that it is an SP car. If you look more closely at the front strut, to our right of the gentleman standing, you will see "M238." The complete number of the car, then, is SPM238. SP track equipment was in the SPM number series. That would also put it on the Pacific Lines, as lines east of El Paso had their own numbering system in various T&NO, GH&SA, and other series.

The virtually featureless terrain makes location identification very difficult. The only help is that the large building in the rear appears to have tracks going into it, and with those high doors, it might be a company service building of some sort. There (were) not very many places on the SP that had double track mainline, and I'll have to give this some thought.

Ken Harrison, Southern Pacific Historical and Technical Society
Email: train98@concentric.net


Subject: Re: Info wanted re early Fairbanks Morse
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 10:56:16 +1000
From: "Greg / Sufy" <sufy@fox.uq.net.au>
To: "narcoa" <rstivers@narcoa.org>

Rich
... I do, however, have some info re the mystery motor car. I believe it is a Sheffield motor car from the 1903. I am not sure of the make number, but less than a no.8 which was 1913. If you look at the pictures I enclosed, there is a Sheffield and a Fairbanks Morse (the publication date is 1903). The FM' timber work is slightly different, but the Sheffield matches pretty well. This is the same as the one here and Queensland at this time purchased a great deal of Sheffield equipment. ...


Regards
Greg Wagner


Subject: Re: Info On Velocipede Engines
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 11:44:58 -0800
From: Lauderback@involved.com (Ken Lauderback)
To: Stivers Bros <rich@stivers-bros.com>

Hi:
Well, I can at least shed a little light on the motor car pictured at your site. Attached are two .jpg's scanned from my 1908 Fairbanks Morse catalog #60. It is not possible (for me) to tell from the photo which of these cars it is; but other than the addition of the SP toolbox on the top between the seats, it looks identical to me. They also made regular 3 wheeled motorized velocipedes, as well as little inspection cars. Feel free to post the scans on your site if you wish.
Ken