VELOCIPEDE

Our velocipede was acquired by the museum in 1999. Its history is unknown other than it had been used as a yard ornament in the Puget Sound area for approximately 30 years. As a result, there was extensive dry rot, particularly of the wooden spokes, none of which were usable. All areas where bolts penetrated the wood had dry rot such that most bolt holes were markedly enlarged from original. In several places the metal wheels had rusted through. All of the wooden spokes had to be reconstructed and are identical to the originals. In other areas, dry rot was ground out, and ash filler plugs fitted and epoxied in place. The wheel defects were filled with weld and ground to original shape. Lettering copies that seen on another NP velocipede.

A few years ago we acquired a second velocipede which is much sturdier and can be run on the track as demonstrated by Dave Pankey.

Early railroads were very poorly constructed compared to modern standards.  Potential problems mandated frequent inspections to prevent derailments.  These were done by a man walking or on a horse.  In 1877, a small-town farmer named George Sheffield had an idea.  He worked in town and walked the Michigan Central Railroad to get to his job.  He contrived a three wheeled self-propelled car to ride on the railroad tracks.  That winter of 1877, he started to ride to work.  Because he had no permission to use the track, he rode at night.  On one of his trips, he spotted a bad piece of track. He procured a lantern and was able to stop a train, preventing a bad accident.  His secret was out, but because he saved the railroad from disaster, the Michigan Central not only gave him permission to ride the track, but also offered him a contract to build velocipedes for its track inspectors.  Note the very dapper track inspector in his fancy hat and tie.

His velocipede design was eventually sold to Fairbanks-Morse who continued its production into the 1950s.  Its primary use was as a track inspection vehicle, but variations could carry two people, a few tools and be used for many small jobs.