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Did You Know?
The 561-V8 is nearly identical to the 561 B except for the 88 h.p. V8 engine replacing the 50 h.p. 4cylinder engine.
The 562H-B was an extra gang car. was designed for hump yard use. It seated 24 and could haul another 200 in trailers, it was basically an longer 561-B
The 561H-35 extra gang car seated 35 and could be had with either a 4 cylinder or V8 engine. It was advertised as being able to operate on "all grades and logging railways.” The 565-V8 used an 88h.p. Ford V8 engine and its companion transmission, hood and cowl. It was available with a wide variety of body styles and wheel bases.
The 555T-V8 enclosed inspection car was a shortened version of the 565-V8. The drive train was the same, but the chassis was much shorter. For use as an inspection vehicle, being able to turn around at any location was important. Speed in turning was less important than ease. It would be very rare for the persons using this vehicle (the Road Master, Division Engineers, etc.) to be in the way of a train. If it was, usually the train would have to wait until the inspection car was turned and moved out of the way.
By 1920, Henry and Clara Ford found it difficult to travel by railroad. Henry Ford was widely recognized -- pestered by the public and hounded by reporters.
The Fords purchased a private railroad car they called Fair Lane, so they could travel conveniently and quietly across the extensive American railroad network. The Fords made more than 400 trips with Fair Lane from 1921 to 1942. The railroad car is now on exhibit at The Henry Ford. Visit www.thehenryford.com
Image and information courtesy of The Henry Ford, © all rights reserved.
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