Mainline Railways was a British model railway brand that operated between 1976 and 1983, introduced by Palitoy, the...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
What was the mainline company?Read more -
What is a Wickham Trolley?Read moreA Wickham Trolley is a small railway maintenance vehicle once widely used across Britain's railways. Built by D...
-
What was the Bachmann 'Blue Riband' subbrand ?Read moreThe Blue Riband subbrand was a significant step in the evolution of Bachmann Branchline, the UK division of Bachmann...
-
Do I need to apply a camber to a tight curve of track on my layout?Read moreApplying a camber to a tight curve of track on your model railway layout can help improve the realism and operation...
-
Avoiding the "Toy Train Look": Realistic Track ArrangementsRead moreA well-designed model railway is more than just a collection of tracks and trains: it’s a miniature world that...
What is a handcar and what were they used for?
A handcar, also known as a pump trolley or a pump car, is a small manually-powered railroad vehicle. It consists of a platform mounted on two, three or four wheels, with a handle or lever mechanism for propulsion. Handcars were commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for maintenance and inspection purposes on railways.
Handcars were primarily used by railway workers to travel along the tracks to inspect and repair the railroad infrastructure. They were also used for transportation of small tools, equipment, and supplies. The workers would pump the handle up and down, which would drive the wheels and propel the handcar forward. The speed and direction of the handcar could be controlled by the workers operating it.
Handcars were particularly useful in areas where the terrain was not suitable for larger maintenance vehicles or where access was limited. They allowed workers to quickly and efficiently travel along the tracks to inspect for any damage, loose bolts, or other issues that could affect the safe operation of the railway.
In addition to their practical use, handcars also had a social aspect. They were sometimes used by railway employees for recreational purposes, such as races or leisurely rides along the tracks during breaks.
Handcars have become less common with the advent of more advanced maintenance vehicles and technologies. However, they still hold a nostalgic appeal and can be found in museums or used by railway enthusiasts for historical re-enactments.
Posted in: Model Railway
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Track Cleaning Fluid
Price: £ 10.00Track Cleaning Fluid Dapol track cleaning fluid has been espcially...
Related posts
-
What scale is Hornby?Hornby model railways are OO Scale or 1/76th that is 4 millimetres to the foot (12 inches). It runs on a track with... - How to weight my model so it does not tip?For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This...
- Is Bachmann compatible with Hornby?Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also...
- What are the model railway eras?According to Bachmann, as it states in their catalogue there are 9 eras. As they say in their catalogue this is not...
- Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory...