Model Train Journal

Here is an "unknown" single direction single axle powered chassis, AC, three rail:




There are zero part numbers, casting numbers or identifying marks.

It doesn't look like there are any mount points for side frames? Also, how was it attached to whatever it came off of? I don't see any bolster per se or any mechanism for a pivot point?

Yeah, I was thinking it looked kind of like a gang car, or inspection car chassis.

I got it decades ago with a General Models trolley body (3/4 size of a #60) and always thought it went to that...but I checked last night, and no way. Whatever it is, it mounts on the axle stubs only.

It came with (or near in time) to a GM LSR handcar (Land Speed Record):

Looks like a miniature from a 50's low budget sci-fi epic. e.g. Forbidden Planet rip off with 0$ effects budget?

If I had the space to put up 100 feet of tangent, with a stack of pillows at the end, and a stopwatch, I would like to see just how fast it would go.
On the 2-rail side of this website is a thread on GM...here is a photo of the page from July of 1950:

There was a version of the GMC trolley with a real motor. I've seen some old literature on it. I have a non-operational one with a different motor around somewhere. Maybe there was another with that motor?
All of the speeders I've seen have that low end axle drive mechanism pictured above.
So do all of the trolleys, except for that one odd motored one I have.

Dave,

The armature in the GMC motor is a magnet on an axle. Under no load, it would spin at 60 Hz or 3600 rpm.

Maybe the Unknown you have is a slower replacement for the GMC power units.

Dave, Wayne, All,

The axle in the GMC trolley/handcar is NOT magnetised.
A magnetic substance it is, as tested by "CRANKY".

They are GMC products, tho.

ELEC-TRACTION POWERED
G.M.C.
STREET CAR

General Models Corporation,
West Chicago, Illinois

(See Pix below)

The 'Magne'Traction' sticker on the side is an after sale add on, possibly a cutout from a LIONEL catalogue.
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The field coil is energised by the segmented wheels which in turn attract the edge of the rounded 'armature/axle'.
Current/magnetic attraction is interrupted py the plastic segment of the commutator/wheels.
It coasts until the next wheel copper segment makes rail contact.
The cycle repeats.

The rear wheels are plastic.
If they were metal, it would effectively(sp?) short out the armature, and apply full power/current to the field coil.

The copper segments on the wheels make contact with the axle/frame, as does one side of the motor coil and headlamp.
The other side of the lamp and coil is connected to the center rail slider.

The trolley DOES need a push start by a '0-5-0 switcher', and will stall on turnouts/crossings/anywhere there in a nonconductive rail, (center or outside).

The headlamp does flash off and on 2x each revolution of the wheels.
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... Under no load, it would spin at 60 Hz or 3600 rpm. ...

No. Wayne, it will not, due to it's construction and design.
(B.T.D.T.!)

IMO, it woild be kind of difficult (tho not impossible) to 'benchtest'.
You would meed a feeler gauge connected to one power/test lead, the other power/test lead connected to the center rail slider.
Apply power, Hold the feeler gauge against the segmented wheel, and with your third hand spin the armature/axle/wheel assembly to kick-start.
You could make a quick check of the headlamp/bulb by connecting the feeler gauge test lead directky to the frame.
Don't leave it connected that way for long, tho, or you will let out all the 'magic smoke' in the field coil.
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Dave,
My Street Car is MUCH s-l-o-w-e-r than your "LSR Hand Car"....
This could be due to the fact that my street car has not been out of the box for ~15 years and the test track conditions.

The 'Unknown Chassis' may be an upgrade or a later version of a GMC power unit.
It appears to mount thru the axles like the GMC hand/street/cars to an outside frame.
The center rail sliders are the same as on Wayne's pic and mine.
The R.H screw is identical to the mounting screw(s) holding the plastic body on my trolley.
Underview of mine is identical to the ones pictured by you and Wayne.

MYmoo wrote:Dave, Wayne, All,

... Under no load, it would spin at 60 Hz or 3600 rpm. ...

No. Wayne, it will not, due to it's construction and design.

Thank you for explaining how it works Myron. Now I see the segmented wheels in the photo I posted.

It's an EMCO trolley motor. Here is the information: http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/railways/dinkyville/index.html

What took you so long CW?
Now that you solved the mystery, I can find more. The one on top (sold) has the mystery motor. The one on the bottom ($50) has different mystery motor.

CWBurfle wrote:It's an EMCO trolley motor. Here is the information: http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/railways/dinkyville/index.html

CW,

Thank You for the link. ...Back in my bookmarks!
-----UNSOLICITATED OPINION-----
BinnsRoad is an EXCELLENT reference source for all things early tinplate, especially British/European.
It has helped me identify many "ain't no LIONEL" unique items.
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Got one of these somewhere amongst my Amazing Abundant Amassed Accumulations.
Mine came to me retrofitted with a MARX handcar motor/chassis.
Minor 'upgrade/downgrade'???'....

What took you so long CW?

I got out the trolley that I thought was a GMC with a can motor.
I was mistaken. It's an EMCO with the mechanism pictured above.
Sorry to have posted bad information. (I edited that post)

I saw that current EBay one with a different motor too.
Glad I found the Binns road page first.
That is an interesting site. Lots of good information.