Trains LIVE – Mid-Continent Railway Museum (Part 2) Montana Western No. 31
Trains LIVE — 11-9-2022 — It is the fulfillment of an idea that revolutionized railroad motive power — using an internal combustion engine to drive a generator, feeding electricity to a traction motor. In the 1920s, this was heady stuff. This was unknown territory. This was the future. However, the staff of Cleveland’s Electro-Motive Corp., showed the rail community through an unassuming rail-passenger car that the idea worked. Today, Montana Western No. 31, the 13th railcar built by EMC, is about to be restored to operation by the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wis. Come along as Trains Live explores Montana Western No. 31.
We are joined by Andy Spinelli, museum vice president, for an exclusive walk-through of MW No. 31. Find out what running a railcar was like for the motorman and the mechanical work that sometimes needed to be preformed while enroute. We visit the passenger sections and explore the rear operator’s position. Yes, this railcar was bi-directional with an operating cab at both ends. Finally, Spinelli details the plans for operational restoration of the car.
Climb aboard as we explore Montana Western No. 31, a true historical and mechanical time capsule.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Trains LIVE is a regular video segment, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July 2022.
Trains LIVE features Bob Lettenberger, Trains associate editor, Kalmbach Media staff, and guests talking about railroads and trains in a casual, behind the scenes format. Trains LIVE will ask the questions you would like to ask and take you into places not normally open to the public. Trains LIVE also takes you on the road to museums, trackside locations and other railroad-related venues. It is unscripted and presented every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central time.
If you have questions or comments, please log-in and leave a comment in the area at the bottom of the page. We will attempt to answer questions during future episodes.
All aboard! It’s time for Trains LIVE!
Pity that we didn’t see overall shots of the interior of each section of the car, or any of the exterior. I had hoped to be able to compare the car with those that we have here in Victoria, Australia – some in running condition and used on fan tours.
Has Midday Modeler gone by the boards?