Do
you remember those railroad motor cars you used to see in
the fifties and sixties on virtually every railroad line
in the U.S. and Canada? Those little yellow or orange boxes
with the characteristic putt-putt sound of a two-stroke
engine, sometimes towing a trailer or two loaded with ties
and spikes. Did you ever wonder what happened to them? Not
surprisingly, the overwhelming majority were scrapped, but
a few thousand of these vehicles are still around today
in running condition and in regular use.
There
are a group of people who operate these vehicles as a hobby,
much like snowmobiling or ATV operators do. There is one
big difference though. The railroad motorcar MUST be operated
on railroad tracks! In order to provide the hobbyist a place
to operate their motorcars, much orginizational skills and
procedures are required to work with and co-operate with
the host railroad companies. With is in mind, a national
organization was formed.
The
North American Railcar
Owners Association represents a national group of about
1,500 people who own or operate motor cars, otherwise known
as railcars, speeders, jiggers or putt-putts. This group
organizes 1 to 5 day rides on different railroads, with
a ride being as short as 20 miles or as long as 1,000 miles.
It also sets rules, makes liability insurance available
and publishes a bimonthly magazine that includes reports
of rides, historical articles, technical tips and facilitates
the sale of railcars and railcar parts. Click here
to see full story.
In
order to become a member of North Central
Railcars, you must be a member of NARCOA. A person
becomes a NCR member by having been registered for and having
operated at any NCR excursion. As a result, NCR has members
from New York, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
NCR
members receive the NCR newsletter, Milepost 212 published
occasionally, members will also receive excursion announcements
if time permits, but are encouraged to check the website
and the SETOFF for the latest information.
Information
on NCR can be obtained by e-mailing NCR President, David
Otte.
