Cuba City in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Speeder Car w/Tools

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

1. The Speeder Car w/Tools Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Work Car or Speeder Car as they were called, was used by the section gangs to patrol and repair the tracks. Note the handles which were used to remove the car from the track when a train had to pass.

The Tool Trailer was used on larger jobs, but they did not like to use it when there was traffic because of the difficulty in getting it off the track.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 42° 36.314′ N, 90° 25.871′ W. Marker is in Cuba City, Wisconsin, in Grant County. Marker can be reached from South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker and Speeder Car are located in the Cuba City Presidential Courtyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 South Main Street, Cuba City WI 53807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tools of the Railroad (here, next to this marker); Baggage / Milk Cart (here, next to this marker); Semaphore Signal (Traffic Signal) (here, next to this marker); The Milk Trains

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(here, next to this marker); Railroad Track Width (a few steps from this marker); The Chimes of Time (a few steps from this marker); City of Presidents — Presidential Shields (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whistle Post (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cuba City.

Also see . . .
1. The Speeder. The rail speeder, otherwise known as a motor car, putt-putt, jigger, crew car, track-maintenance car, trike, quad, trolley or inspection car was invented as far back as 1896 when a vehicle was needed to help the maintenance of way crews and track inspectors to move quickly to and from work sites. (Submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Railroad Speeder (Wikipedia). In the 1990s, many speeders were replaced with trucks (usually pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles) using flanged wheels that could be lowered for on-rail (called road-rail vehicles or hi-rails for highway-railroad). (Submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Speeder Car image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

2. The Speeder Car

(marker visible on left front of car)

Tool Trailer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

3. Tool Trailer

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.