Nick Pull
These models were available for purchase in 1928. The 563 and 565 models were designed for "official Inspection" or light passenger / express service. The 564 was an industrial locomotive designed for rip track service. The drive train for these three models consisted of a standard Model A Ford radiator, hood, cowl, 40 h.p. motor and 3 speed transmission. A proprietary directional transmission, allowed use of the Ford's 3 speeds in forward or in reverse. It drove the rear axle through a set of sprockets and a chain. The 561 had the same drive train inside the vehicle so no hood nor cowl were used.
The 561-T model was a 10 man enclosed "official inspection" model. It had removable side curtains. The 561 - D was the same except it had solid doors. The 561 was a heavy duty motor car. The 561 - H was commonly used in hump service.
| MODEL | 561 | 561 - T | 563 | 565 |
| Frame | 3" structural steel | 3" structural steel | 5" structural steel | 5" structural steel |
| Wheels | 20" pressed steel | 20" pressed steel | 20" cast steel | 24" cast steel |
| Wheel base / length | 52" / 114" | 52" / 103" | 78" | 80" |
| Height / width | 113" / 64" | 90" / 96" | ||
| weight complete car | #2,000 | #2,500 | #4,500 | #6,000 |
| Standard capacity | 4-200 men (in trailers) | 10 men | 8 men | 12 men |
| Maximum weight | #8,000 | #8,000 | #6,000 | #12,000 |
| Speed | 3 - 34 m.p.h. | 3 - 40 m.p.h. | 3 - 40 m.p.h. | 3 - 45 m.p.h. |
| Color - chassis black, body - | Railway car brown | Railway car brown | Railway car brown | Pullman green |
The 564 model industrial locomotive.
The 563 and 565 had screw type turntables. The turntables allowed reversing the vehicles direction. Although all models could run as fast forward as reverse, visibility and engine cooling were much better with the engine in front.
The standard 563 model was available with 3 doors per side and either two or three seats.
The 563 could also be had a driver's seat and a full length seat along each side. This version had one door per side and step and a similar door at the rear.
. . . . . .
563 and 565 (standard gauge) front views (photos not to same scale)
565 - T narrow gauge version. The journal boxes are outside the wheels. On the standard gauge version, the journals are inside the wheels (see below).
565 - T standard gauge ambulance version. This model had a door on each side and a single 36" rear door and could seat 14 when not hauling litters.
The 565 - C model (bare chassis only) was used by the rail roads as a base for their own bodies. It is the same chassis as used under the 565 models. All models could be ordered with different a wheel base and length.