Drawing Package
DWG-SMC8-10
Updated: 10
November, 2006
The Sheffield Velocipede
Car Company was formed as a consequence of a fortuitous circumstance in 1880. George Sheffield constructed a 3-wheel railroad
track riding car from bicycle parts and rode it, without authorization, to and from work (14 miles) on Michigan Central’s
rails. On one such ride, Sheffield discovered a potential derailment problem (broken track) and flagged down the oncoming
train in time to prevent a catastrophe. The railroad’s management appreciated his efforts and also noted the utility
of his 3-wheeled, rail riding contraption just used to avoid the potential train wreck. As a consequence, the Sheffield Velocipede
Car Company was incorporated in Three Rivers, Michigan in 1882. For decades thereafter the Sheffield Velocipede Car Company
supplied thousands of their products to both the railroad and mining industries worldwide.
While the 3-wheeled Track
Inspector’s Car was Sheffield’s first product, it was soon augmented by 4-wheeled, manually powered standard and
narrow gauge maintenance cars used by the section crews to transport themselves and equipment along their “section”
of responsibility. These cars were easily manhandled on and off the rails by a crew of four. Sheffield offered several deck
lengths, wheel diameters and gear ratios to accommodate the roadbed terrain and continually improved their products to maintain
their competitive position. Sheffield initially constructed their cars from select hardwoods, cast many of the metal parts
themselves and fabricated the wheels using wooden spokes supporting steel rims.
Our 1/8th scale
model is a faithful replica of Sheffield’s 1895 vintage standard gauge No. 1 Section Maintenance Car and is provided
in two deck lengths – 9.5” and 10” as the prototype cars themselves varied in length. The model fits on
7.5” gauge display track.
Our package of construction
plans contains 18 “B” sized (11” x 17”) plates generously sprinkled with photographs of the model’s
parts and assemblies. The plans can be scaled up of down to produce a museum quality model of any size – including the
full-sized prototype. Also included with your purchase is a Bill of Materials for the model and a listing of material sources.
As can be seen in the model’s
photograph, this model makes a great display platform for collectibles such as mineral specimens, coins, knick-knacks, etc.
and is an eye-catching conversation piece when set on the display track built from the drawings. We hope you enjoy building
and displaying your museum quality model.
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