Re: RGS#1 - 1910 Ford Model T inspection car

There are many factors I had to consider in building this railcar. Recreating a brass era car is a very expensive endeavor. I used original 1910 parts in all the areas that are recognizable. I also wanted to make the railcar more reliable. Since the railcar might be driven by folks not familiar with starting a T, I chose an engine with electric start (T’s first had electric start as an option in 1919). I also chose to convert it to 12v for, lights, starting, and a few other reasons. I’ve converted the original gas lights to electric just as the RGS did. I have an original 1910 dash mount wood coil box that will house the “modern” items out of sight (since I don’t plan to use the original buzz coils this coil box is the perfect location for the modern items). After all the modification to the engine I estimate the horse power to be about 25 (at sea level it would be around 30 or so, it will be operated at 9000ft ). The original HP was just over 20.
I choice to use a Ruckstell rear end because I had one on hand (a 1910 T rear end goes for $2500+ if you can find one). The Ruckstell two speed rear end will also make grades easier if I build the future trailer. Ruckstell two speed rear ends first saw use in the late teens, so it could have been an addition the RGS installed. By the way it's the ONLY aftermarket accessory Henry Ford endorsed.
I plan to build the body as it was during the late teens. This is when the railcar had a rounded front roof and 5 headlights (two Edmond and Jones 466 main head lights, a single 1913 E&J 666 center light above the hood, and a pair of Saxon 1334 brass trimmed cowl lights)
The spring and axle configuration follow the prototype. Why the RGS went to great lengths to shorten the wheel base from a standard T is only speculation. I however think they did this to make the railcar shorter and more apt to turn on its own turntable. One of the original photos shows a very interesting “shadow” under the railcar. This shadow I believe to be a turntable. Stewart – if you know more about the turntable the WW&F railcar has I would be most interested. If you have detailed photos of its mechanism I would really like to see them.
I’ve attached a few photos of the railcar during the teens.
Lowell