A speeder (also known as a section car, railway motor car, putt-putt, track-maintenance car, crew car, jigger, trike, quad, trolley, inspection car, or draisine) is a small railcar formerly used around the world by track inspectors and work crews to move quickly to and from work sites.[1] Although slow compared to a train or car, it is called speeder because it is faster than a human-powered vehicle such as a handcar. Motorized inspection cars date back to at least 1896, when it was reported that the U.S. Daimler Motor Company created a gasoline-powered rail inspection car capable of 15 mph (24 km/h).[2]
Approximate dimensions of a common speeder car are given below. Due to the variety of base models and customization these are not fixed numbers. These values are from a Fairmont A4-D.[5]
Rail gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge (56.5 inches)
Weight: 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg)
Width: 64 inches (1,626 mm)
Height: 60 inches (1,524 mm)
Length: 9 feet 2 inches (2,794 mm) (~110 inches)
Wheel diameter: 16 inches (406 mm)
Floor height: 80–120% of the wheel diameter; 11 inches (279 mm)-17 inches (432 mm)
^Fairmont used three letters to designate car types.
"S" was a Standard Series" section car;
"A" was an "Advanced Series" section car and "M" was the "Master Series" section car.
They also used a "category" name for motorcars.
"Light Inspection" or 1-2 men, were car models: M9 nicknamed "Safe Easy", MM9, MR9, 59, M17, and MM17.
"Inspection" or 1-4 men, were models "Roadmaster", M12, M16, M19 nicknamed the Safety Quick", MT19, and the 150.
"Light Section" or 1-6 men, the M1, and M14 also called the "Light Section Car".
"Section" or 1-8 men, were models "Dreadnaught", M2, 75, and S2.
"Heavy Duty Section" or 1-8 men, the A2.
"Gang" or 1-12 men, MT2, ST2, A2, AT2 and A3.
"Extra Gang" or "B & B" 1-12 men, MX3, MX30G, MT2, A4, AF4, and A6.
Final group, "Large Extra Gang" or "Hump" 1-12 men, models A6, A7, A8.