The 1940s were heavily influenced by the impact of World War II, which necessitated efficient and reliable transportation infrastructure, including railways. The technology for railroad inspection vehicles continued to improve, though much of the focus during this period remained on internal combustion-powered railcars.
By the 1940s, gasoline-powered motorcars were widely used for track inspection. These small, self-propelled railcars replaced the older hand-pumped vehicles and were manufactured by companies like Fairmont Railway Motors and Northwestern Motor Company.
These motorcars were lightweight and often used by individual inspectors or small crews to travel along the rails to inspect tracks for wear and damage. The vehicles were simple in design, often featuring a single-cylinder or two-cylinder gasoline engine, and were valued for their ability to easily navigate narrow-gauge and standard-gauge tracks.
The 1950s saw the development of hi-rail vehicles (highway-rail vehicles), which were standard road vehicles like trucks or vans modified to operate on both highways and railroad tracks. These vehicles were equipped with retractable rail wheels, allowing inspectors to easily transition from road to rail without switching vehicles.
Hi-rail vehicles became popular for their flexibility. They could be driven to a site on the road, quickly switch to rail mode, and continue the inspection along the track. These vehicles were especially useful for inspecting remote or less accessible rail lines and played a growing role in rail inspection fleets.
Hi-rail vehicles became a standard tool for railroad inspections by the 1960s. They were used widely by maintenance crews and inspectors due to their convenience and versatility. By this time, the technology for switching between road and rail modes had become more refined and reliable.
The diesel-powered hi-rail vehicles became more common, as diesel engines offered better performance and durability compared to gasoline engines.
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