Handcar Regatta

Rail Car Inspiration & Information

Important Rail Specs and Warnings:

Measurements:

62″ outer rail edge*
56 1/2″ inner rail edge*
2 3/4″ wide rail surface
1 1/2″ index vertical clearance (meaning guide wheels should not exceed 1 1/2″ in the lip that overhangs and keeps the wheel on track, click on photo #1)
* approximate within 3/4″ variation, give or take

WARNING:
Recent track improvements have led to application of grounding wires and other soldered metal parts that MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH NON-STANDARD INDEX GUIDE WHEELS, especially wheels with outer guides (click on photos #2 and #3).

Railcar Examples

• Contemporary
  • Road Bike on the Rails
  • How to Build a Railway Handcar
  • Four Seater Rail Bike With Platform
  • Bentley Railbike
  • Fahrraddraisinen
• Nostalgic
  • Draisines
  • 1895 Magic Lantern Image
  • Draisine- 1817 rail bike invention
• Diagrams & Descriptions
  • Invaluable “Hints on building a Kinetic Racing Sculpture” by Elliot Naess
  • Diagram 1 - Side
  • Diagram 2 - Side
  • Pushcar Diagram Side/End View
  • Historical Handcar Diagram Side/End
• Purchase
  • “Railriders” wheels
  • Custom “Railbike” designs

View a gallery of Aetherweb Miscellany for more examples of contemporary and nostalgic railcar designs from around the globe.

Engineers’ Arcade

Witness the latest photographs of esteemed Handcar Regatta crews and their projects as works-in-progress!

Railcar Videodeon

Enjoy the astounding moving pictures of railcars in action both today and yesteryear!

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