Motorcar Rally flyers are sent via email to all motorcar operators that are on my list. This flyer describes the details of this event which is a 16 mile round trip on The Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Rwy. tracks.
When the day arrives for the event and after everyone has signed a Railroad Release Form and payment made by mail or here, a safety meeting is held. All operators must attend. The safety meeting informs the operators of the day’s operations and how to be safe and stay safe, since safety is our # 1 rule.
After the meeting everyone is instructed to attend their cars. A “start your engines” sometimes is announced. While on their journey to Waterville, they enjoy their hobby by the sights and sounds of running their cars down the track.
Once into Waterville the cars are turned. The cars are backed down to the depot for a rest stop. Sometime on the main, track sometimes on the siding. This depends if the train is operating that day. Once the rest stop is over or the train has arrived in town the motorcars are sent out for their first round trip to their starting point which is Yawberg Rd. Grand Rapids, Ohio.
Most times its lunch time, everyone is on their own Sorry! We usually head for the pizza place in Grand Rapids.
After returning from lunch we wait till the train is seen. Since the train does not come back to where we are at we wait until we see the train disappears around the curve, making her first return trip to Waterville.
We head out on our second motorcar run, usually catching up with the train. We follow at a safe distant, being we have two motorcars operated by Railroad staff, one on each end of the group. After arriving in Waterville cars are turned and sent back to the starting point, making our second full round trip. If enough interest is there in the group a bonus third trip is made doing the same procedure as the second run.
Where motorcars are turned a man is sent to the crossing with a red flag as a safe guard.
A bridge crossing can be made on this line. It’s a 901 foot steel bridge crossing The Maumee River, The Miami Erie Canal and now U.S. Rt. 24, but it cannot be reached from Yawberg Rd. at this time. Motorcars are reloaded and transported across to Grand Rapids and unloaded for trip across the bridge.
There are many different types of engines in motorcars from one cylinder, most common is the 18, 20 horse power engine, some do have six cylinder These are quite heavy. A newer type of rail vehicle, which most Railroads use is called an hy-rail truck (high rail). This truck has railroad wheels are mounted to the frame. These railroad wheels can be lowered and or raised when rail travel is done. They are also much quieter and comfortable. We welcome all types.
If you have a motorcar or know someone who owns one and wishes to be part of this event contact me. This is a great way to spend some quality time with your family. Enjoy the great outdoors and a fast growing sport. If you wish other information such as, where to purchase a motorcar, or how to get on the Motorcar Rally list. Contact me at:
Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Rwy.
Victor Geckle Jr.
MC chairman
gecklev@fairpoint.net
419-596-3522
April 26, 2012
