The Teetor family is legendary for their inventions, along with the tenacity, skill, and fortitude of young Ralph Teetor, who invented many automotive features we still use today, all while having lost his sight decades earlier. Father, Charles Teetor, started the Railway Cycle Manufacturing Company in 1895, and an example of that invention is this early 1900s Teetor Railway Inspection Car. This incredibly rare piece is posted here on Facebook Marketplace in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $2,500. Here is the original listing.
It would be fun to display this Teetor Railway Inspection Car at vintage events, where it would most likely be welcomed, whether it’s a motorcycle show, car show, or just a general historic event. You could give it a go on actual railroad tracks, albeit short ones. The seller also has two 29-foot sections of track that they’ll sell separately. You could set them up with a stop at each end and let people take it down the track for a few seconds.
Charles Teetor invented the “Railway Velocipede” in 1895 in Hagerstown, Indiana, and a patent was granted in 1898. It was an inexpensive, light inspection car for railroad workers to get down the tracks to inspect the operations or make repairs. This is a single-seater, known as a Number 1, or No. 1, but they also made two-seat Number 2 models. They even offered a third seat in front of two side-by-side seats so three workers could travel to wherever they needed to go. There were baskets for tools and other features.
We don’t know the history of this example, but they are rarely seen for sale today. Here’s where your giant leg muscles will come in handy. This “machine” weighs under 200 pounds, so while it isn’t exactly a carbon-fiber bicycle, it’s not overly heavy for one person to pedal down the tracks. The standard gear was 62, but they also offered 52, 58, and 73 so a customer could choose the right gearing for the grade. The company eventually became Teetor-Hartley Motor Company and dove headfirst into the burgeoning automotive world.
I mentioned young Ralph Teetor in the first paragraph, and his story is incredible. Born in 1890, an accident with a knife in 1895 rendered him blind, yet he went on to graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering. In his career, first with the Navy, he figured out how to dynamically balance steam turbines, a process that’s still in use today in maritime operations. He went back home to Indiana to the family business and invented the fluid-operated gearshift, which Bendix purchased. Not long after, the family business came out with Perfect Circle piston rings and named young Ralph as the lead engineer. Even though he was blind, his legendary knowledge of tolerances and engineering made him the obvious choice. Arguably, his most famous invention was in the works since WWII, an early speed control, known as cruise control, and it was purchased by several manufacturers.
Back to this other Teetor invention, the Railway Inspection Car. As almost always, I don’t have a clue how I would use this, but I would love to restore it and show it at vintage vehicle events. Have any of you seen a railway inspection car like this? Bonus points for having actually used one!
just out of curiosity, did he invent the playground attraction known as the Teeter Totter?
Sold before any of us could consider it. Never mind that I was a bit skeptical of the provenance of this thing–it would be far too easy to just cobble one of them together in welding class once you source the rather common rail wheels, and the wheels seen here in no way match the spoked wheels of the original Teetor carts, more like bicycle spoked wheels than these heavy track cart wheels from maintenance of way flatcars..
See https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1898-teetor-railway-cycle-light-inspection-car/ for confirmed vintage examples. These wheels don’t match one iota.
Perfect for a quick jaunt into town!
My butt hurts just looking at that seat.
I used to have a custom HD powered bobber with springer front end that I cobbled together from parts from friends and swap meets. The finishing touch was a seat that was all metal, no padding, no nothing. A buddy of mine that is an awesome welder welded it together from bar stock to look like a spider’s web then I had it powder coated. I was in my early 30s at the time, so not as many aches and pains as I feel nowadays, but good Lord, every time I hit a dip or the tiniest indent in the pavement at any higher speed, I’d feel it from my rear all the way up my spine into my jaw! It sure did not help that the bike was rigid with no rear suspension. I wish I could post a pic of the bobber, it came out really cool but by far the comment I got the most was, “my butt hurts just looking at that seat.”
Would an unsteady Teetor…totter?
I myself don’t think that’s even close to the genuine article. I am a retired railroad worker. When we used to put something on the track before trains had to follow orders you were out there, worked with station operators and lineups . No we didn’t use radios yet, so anything that went on had to come off quickly. This isn’t it, too heavy and if it was ever used would be better built. as we were tough on equipment. Think maybe someone got something over on someone.
People power, home made?
There are a lot of pictures and copies of original ads online, 30 seconds of a Google search will find them. This looks like what’s posted, the main difference is those had wire wheels, not solid like the example shown above. If it’s not real, it’s a good copy.
Steve R
Fixed gear, presumably, with an eccentric bottom bracket?
my original thought 2. But…, as above:
“…The standard gear was 62, but they also offered 52, 58, and 73 so a customer could choose…”
It DOES stay in that 1 gear tho…
This is a really unique find Scotty. And once again. I’ve learned about something new that I had no idea existed. Thanks for all the information and research. It’s too bad this thing didn’t come in a ten speed configuration lol. But it is interesting how you could get different toothed sprokets for more hill climbing. Hope it goes to a good new home.
The Society of Automotive Engineers still gives out a Ralph Teetor Award every year. Very prestigious.
SAE what!?
Sorry 😔
OSHAs wet dream.
Thanks for the great comments, folks! It’s a tough one to know for sure without seeing it in person. I was “in line” but found out it sold just after this one went live so I guess I’ll never see it now.
Something like this will be looked at as a curiosity by most people, garnering nothing more than “it’s kind of cool”. That’s where aficionados come into play, when they line up at an opportunity to buy something rare, that is appreciated by a tiny group of people you know you are probably onto something special. This isn’t something a random person is going to see and think they can flip it for a quick profit, or worse, scam someone. That’s why cheap, fake Rolex’s and designer goods are so common and suckers are often taken for a ride by the “can’t miss” deal.
Steve R
I thought I saw Mr. Ziffel headed to Hooterville with Arnold on one like this!
https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1898-Teetor-light-inspection-car.jpg
The wheels look exactly appropriate.
A( nother) tip of the hat, I’m with Dave, the stuff this guy digs up and the information rivals many college programs, at a fraction of the cost. Well worth the member price, I’d say.
As mentioned, upon moving to Colorado, I became fascinated with the rail network and the contraptions used. I’m also with Cadmanls, from what I’ve seen in museums, this would never cut it, in a commercial setting. It’s a loooong ways to Tipererie, and they have to go faster, and be stronger built than this. This looks more like a toy for riding the rails, abandoned preferably, just not too far. Maybe to Sam Druckers store in Pixley, if Homer Bedlow wasn’t around, that is. And just what was that show about anyway? 3 beautiful daughters in a motel only accessible by train, and what did Uncle Joe do?
Cool find.
I did have an opportunity to pedal something similar to one of these. While there is reduced rolling resistance on rails, it is still quite difficult to keep 200 lbs rolling. A slight up grade makes it worse. Plus where is the brake? Trying to stop pedals from turning is almost impossible.
I agree, the wheels on this can’t possibly be right when light weight is paramount and Teeter would have known this.
I would dread going to work if I had to pedal one of these.
“…difficult to keep 200 lbs rolling…”
rather,
I’d say:
“to get up to speed”
/& OR/
“Pretty difficult to slo dwn.”
No ?
How much do those rails weigh ???
I grew up near Hagerstown, IN and worked for Perfect Circle for 20 years, during which time I purchased a scale model of the Railway Cycle car that was commissioned based on information in the company archives. The model shows a hand brake was utilized, the wheels were a six spoke design (not bicycle type) and the frame was a much better design than what is shown in the subject photos (as one would expect from Ralph Teetor). I’m sorry I’m unable to share photos of the Perfect Circle model since I’m not a member of Barn Finds. I question the authenticity of the item shown in this listing.
Bobdog, that was my question.I had an opportunity to lift a section of rail way shorter than 29′ sometime back. I believe a 29′ section would be around 500 lbs. (Just guessing) I believe that this is a fake. Too heavy and not sturdy enough. I have seen pictures a long time ago of one of these and the wheels don’t look right to me. It is an oddity for sure. Something you might see at a “maintenance car” meet. Yes, they have meets of old rail transport (don’t remember the correct term) cars and have tours using current rail routes. I get notifications of these and will pass them on the next time I receive one.
Bobdog, that was my question.I had an opportunity to lift a section of rail way shorter than 29′ sometime back. I believe a 29′ section would be around 500 lbs. (Just guessing) I believe that this is a fake. Too heavy and not sturdy enough. I have seen pictures a long time ago of one of these and the wheels don’t look right to me. And the pictures that I saw had the seat and controls offset to the right side for loading your lunch or tools. It is an oddity for sure. Something you might see at a “maintenance car” meet. Yes, they have meets of old rail transport (don’t remember the correct term) cars and have tours using current rail routes. I get notifications of these and will pass them on the next time I receive one.
I tried to make a correction, but it did not take. The picture thatI had seen had the “bicycle portion” offset to the right. Leaving a space for your lunch or tools. Again, I think this is a fake.
I bought a biography of Teeter at the Henry Ford Museum 20-25 years ago …still go it somewhere. Amazing guy and an amazing career!
there’s guys on youtube that build thier own out of a pallet, make thier own axles and wheels, seat is right down on the pallet, briggs gas motor, and a cooler, the whole thing is light enough to lift one end and drag it off the tracks! south west has some abandoned railways that they ride for miles! watchout for those tumbleweeds!
It needs some redline flight or hutch aerospeed cranks
How do you carry tools?
Google says railroad rails are 75lbs to 155lbs per yard – so at around a hundred pounds per yard 29 ft. would be around 1000 lbs. It would be to hard to load those rails into my pickup truck so i’ll pass.
does that item have 56.5 inches between inner wheel lips.
Dont seem so.
If not, it’s not for ‘our” rails.
May B its HellBoy’s kindergarten tricycle?
That looks right to this experienced rail guy’s eyes, knowing the normal size of those steel wheels used on this one.
I like BF, but there are people on here who think it’s OK to babble way off topic, and others who are apparently ESL speakers. I guess I have to smarten up and not read everyone’s comments.
Hi Andy, I read The Omaha Railway ran a line along Hy.10 for many years serving west central Wis. It was abandoned in 1966. Some portions have become dynamite ATV trails,,,but no trains. Best cheese curds are from Mullins Cheese, just south of Wausau.
I was enthralled with railbikes, years ago, looked like a pretty cool way to see the countryside, on abandoned rail lines.
LT-1 IT!
maybe add a steering rack for the street?
Lots of sparks at night!
But it shines most on the railroad tracks…
It handles LIKE IT’S ON RAILS!!!!!!
Hey gang, if you like railroad stuff. Check out WCRG Tours!
A very different kind of fun.