N.J. Pull - PART 2
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Fairmont Railway Motors offered a variety of motor coaches to any interested railroad. Several other companies offered similar vehicles. Unlike the home made "Galloping Goose" type vehicles, these factory made units were more dependable, smoother riding, and available to all standard or narrow gauge railroads.
The left side of a 1932 2110 series coach, showing one of the 3 standard doors, the battery and tool box (beside the hood).
Rear ¼ view of a 2110 coach showing the other 2 standard doors,side the rear steps and rear "headlamp". The slats above the windows actually cover part of the window and act as a rain gutter.
An actual blue print of the overall design of a 2300 series coach.
The 2300 coaches were the same design as the earlier 2100 series coaches except for engine, over all length, and wheel base. The 2100 used a Continental Red Seal H9 industrial motor of 33 max. hp. The 2300 series used either a 40hp 4 cylinder engine, a 52hp (Ford model B) four cylinder engines or a 55hp six cylinder engine. The smallest and largest engines available were supplied by Continental. The wheel base on the 2100 was 76 inches vs. 94.5 on the 2300. The difference in over all length is found in the length of the front door and the side ahead of the door. Inside, the larger engines stuck further into the passenger compartment and more room was needed for the operator.
Fairmont offered these coaches with a standard body. Standardizing the coach bodies allowed lower prices. The standard bodies were of 20 gauge aluminum over an ash frame. The coach joints were covered with ½ inch rounded moldings. The 2000 and early 2100series cars had black running gear and maroon coach work. The later 2100 and 2300 cars were dark brown below the windows and lighter brown above. The interiors were brown with brown upholstery and battleship gray floors. However, the railroads could order any color they were willing to pay for. The standard wheels are 20 inch drop forged steel for standard gauge. Narrow gauge coaches used 16 inch wheels. Cast steel wheels could be ordered at extra cost.
The 2100 model was a bare chassis. The railroad supplied its own body. Note the cast steel wheels.
The truck frame is the lower chassis section that carries the running gear. It is made mainly of 4" bolted channel. The under-frame carries the body and is built of similar channel sections. A Wallis-McCormick safety device fits under the truck frame (clearing the rail by 2.5" instead of 5" without it). If derailed, it prevented the coach from turning sideways and flipping over. Other features included a 20 gallon gas tank, Browne & Lippe 3 speed transmission, reversible final drive.
This is one of several standard seating arrangements. This design is for use as an ambulance and had double rear doors. Ambulance motor coaches in one form or another were considered required equipment at many mining and lumber operations by the workers. If an injured man had to wait for the next available piece of motive power, he could bleed to death. This unit had first aid equipment and was always ready.The workers appreciated that.
Available seating and door arangements.
An early 2101 series coach (1928) This particular example is an"Official Inspection Car" and seats 14. It was 14'6" long, 7'8" high and 6'10.5"wide. It had a wooden frame and used the same drive train as the later 2100 cars (see above). It had a 76" wheel base. The 2001 coach was basicly the same design except for a 52" wheelbase and an overall length of 12'. The 2000 model was a 2001 chassis only. The railroad supplied its own body. The coach in the photo above, being an open car, was probably built for a warm climate.The snow on the ground indicates this picture was probably made at the Fairmont plant in Fairmont, Minnesota.