Chesapeake & Western Railbus #51 - and including a Trailer for Passengers. The body built by J. G. Brill Co. in 1920, for Mack Trucks, who supplied the chassis and drive train. The trailer is entirely by Brill.

Coach for the C&W Railbus Included

HISTORY:
As the automotive age took hold, railroads could no longer afford to operate steam trains on branch lines, or with small passenger loads. One of the innovated approaches to hold down costs, and still provide service, was the Railbus (or as Brill called it: the gasoline driven motor-omnibus).
This one consisted of a Mack chassis and engine, with a body by Brill, and with a four wheel pony truck substituting for the front wheels. The pony wheels are 20" and the large rear wheels are 40". All are flanged. Seating capacity is 31. Interior heat was taken from the exhaust system. The two sets of front doors were operated by levers. The brakes are discussed above. Light construction resulted in the Railbus weighing only 11,000 pounds, and the Railbus was operated by a single person.

Operation requires some practice and skill, and is provided with a four speed transmission (as was the prototype), in both forward and reverse. Further, there are two sets of brakes, and five throttle positions. Not for the feint of heart, right? Please read the instructions.

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