Rail riding

[Retrorockit]

https://imgs.search.brave.com/2QJOP7CC0QWb6zuOZQkTfU16JIhISJEhAKbFhq3-iP0/rs:fit:600:315:1/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly9pLnBp/bmltZy5jb20vNzM2/eC84Yy9lNy9mYy84/Y2U3ZmM2ODU1ZjBi/YjMyNjJlODJmYmIw/NmFmNTQwNy0tZ2ly/bHMtd2Vla2VuZC1t/aWx3YXVrZWUuanBn

On real ones the connecting rod goes straight to the wheels. No transmission. To go faster just add bigger wheels.The 2nd car is the fuel tank.
A train like that could hit 100mph if they were running late. Like when a diesel broke down and they had to make up time.

[Retrorockit]

I found this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVB6aJqviI

The 2 cylinders are double action. Power up and down stroke. So it's equal to a 4 cylinder 2 stroke (or 4 stroke v8). It's making power everywhere in the stroke. Doesn't really need to idle, or have a clutch, or flywheel. You'll notice it pulls just fine at 0 RPM. Kind of like electric that way. Steam engines don't blow the piston down with pressure. They shoot a small amount of steam in, then let it expand to remove the heat from it.

[Retrorockit]

This is what Hit or Miss engine means for those who've never seen one.It only fire when the flywheel slows down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp0sdSOfjik

[ncmired]

Yep, Retro - coal, and the like - quite the industry. Much quieter now. There are still active oil wells, but I think their recovery rates have dropped off - at least for the small business ones I know of in the New York southern tier. No more hit&miss engines - flip a switch and electric pump, when the return is worth it. Lot of gas still I think - enough and convenient enough that some have the luxury of a gas head right on their property, making free heat.

And thanks, dirtman, for that info - it might have been one of your earlier posts regarding the trail that clued me in on it. Timewise, I'm five years out, and you'll likely beat me to it.

I've got a "60 mile in one sitting seat" (and likely suitable for more), but I don't have legs - no, not the ZZ Top reference! And, no camping for me - I'm going to spring for one of the guide services, hotels, and B&Bs - I've earned it.

[Retrorockit]

There were a lot of rails hauling coal and iron ore to Pittsburgh back in the day.Then steel to Detroit.There was oil in PA also.

[dirtman]

• 
  ncmired commented
  
  The main reason I'm building my train bike is to ride the 300 mile-ish GAP Trail & C&O Canal, I'll Amtrak from home to D.C., from there Amtrak over to Pittsburgh, ride the bike back to D.C., then Amtrak ride home. Since the bike path is never too far from the D.C./Pittsburgh Amtrak line,

Good luck building your train bike. Don`t worry about getting run over by a train. All the rails are gone or Relocated.
I live in Pittsburgh. A few years back a few of us veterans planned the ride from Pittsburgh to Wash DC.
Pedal bikes only. I only use my MB to rescue my dirt bikes when I run out of gas or to get parts.
While on a few practice rides 40-60 miles, I had to drop out. My legs could handle it by my butt couldn`t.

Eastern Continental Divide, PA – Mile 123.5 from Pittsburgh
The Eastern Continental Divide, located 23.5 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, is the highest point on the trail at 2,392 feet above sea level. This point marks the divide between the watershed that heads to the Atlantic Ocean and the watershed that heads to the Gulf of Mexico.
One of my vet friends dropped out at about mile 90. Before we die we plan on getting dropped off at the E-Continental divide and pedaling into WDC. and taking Amtrack or the bus back to Pittsburgh. I`ll be 72 soon and he`ll be 74 so maybe we might plan the trip in October 2023. If you make the trip before us keep us informed about Amtrack. Good luck.

[dirtman]

H-California rail riding company: https://www.skunktrain.com/railbikes/

"Railbiking" seems to be a good search word.

Pictures = 30 minutes of typing.
2 Rails. 4-wheels. 2-seats. 1-pedal assist E-motor. 1-Big Locomotive to push you on schedule.


A s
1 rescue boat in case you can`t stay on schedule.

[AZguy]

To modify an old quote from Evil: "If I were creating the world I wouldn't mess with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers _and rocket sleds_, eight o'clock, Day One!"

=]

[Retrorockit]

Rails is rails.
It's retro, and it's got rockits

[ncmired]

Rocket sled rail riding, huh Retro. Well, it worked for those brave aero men and even Indiana Jones, so why the hell not ...

[Retrorockit]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyhcfccJkKc

https://youtu.be/JeC1ekTjoy8

[AZguy]

Not that it's a huge deal but riding on any active line isn't legal and plenty of inactive lines wouldn't be either... granted worst case is most likely getting trespassed...

[ncmired]

Yep, could be very boring - the "where" and surrounding scenery would make all of the difference. A nearby (not converted rails to trails) bike & walking trail follows a river, snaking along the river and then though wooded areas, as the terrain required - makes all the difference - versus an open, say in the midwest straight with no trees or shade flattish slog.

I'm hoping for the best on the GAP Trail & C&O Canal trek. I have looked at pictures, videos, and google earthed a fair amount of it.

[Retrorockit]

I think rail scooters would be cool. Those powered skateboards with handlebars. Just pop the tires off and away you go.

[K442]

The overall concept seems sort of boring. Mentioned above 2% grade is huge for a train and wide sweeping curves, so no real hills, twists, turns, jumps, or anything else that might be considered 'fun', etc. Around here, we have some "rails to trails" where they took out the rail and saved the path - they are definitely some of the more boring rides....long, straight, hardly any turns, spend 15-20 minutes grinding up a 'hill' then the downside is so shallow, you can hardly coast.

If it happens to be a 'live' / in use rail, then you're risking death in getting run over by a 70mph freight train or 90+mph amtrack, or arrested if the normal or railroad police see you.