The Most Important Things
a Beginner Should Know

[Compiled by the Speeders.com Internet Mailing List]

Most Important

• Using your railcar on any track without permission of the railroad is not only illegal and unsafe but reflects very badly on our hobby. No matter how tempting it is, do not do it.
• When in doubt, follow the safest course every single time.
• Study your rule book and practice, practice, practice the operation of your railcar.
• Inventory all equipment (flags, fire extinguisher, etc.) days before an excursion. Make sure that they are in good  condition and meet rule book specifications.
• The most common causes of speeder derailments are too high a speed, operator inattention, too much weight towards the rear of the car, filled in crossings and rusty rails. Don't learn this the hard way.
• Exemplary behavior on railroad property and towards railroad officials during an excursion is a critical factor on getting further excursions on that railroad.
• On excursions, watch your spacing, more is better. Just don't get out of sight for too long.
• Keep all parts of your body within the confines of the car.
• Breaking down is not a sin - we've all done it. Just don't make a habit of it.
• Fix the problem on your car yourself, a) only if you know you can, b) have someone that has done it before helping, or c) all else fails and there is no other recourse.

Help and Information Sources

• Be willing to accept help, comments and constructive criticism from other operators.
• Go out of your way to get as much information as possible about your car.
• For each problem you run into there will be 6 people with 6 totally different ideas about how to fix it. Trust the one that is willing to dive in, get dirty, and attempt to help fix it.
• The motorcar sites on the internet, the web mailing list Speeders.com plus the Setoff and Speeder magazines are all excellent sources of information.
• The Railroad Motor Car Resource Library is also a great source of information. There is a link at the Narcoa web site.

Engine and Mechanical

• If it is a two cycle car take at least a gallon of water for it.
• If you have never hand cranked a 2 cycle engine find someone that has. There are some good techniques for safely starting these cars.
• If your car is a two cycle carry a couple of extra spark plugs and a wrench to change them. Plugs on a two cycle have a tendency to foul at the least opportune times.
• Some blue exhaust from a two cycle engine is considered normal. Blue smoke from a four cycle Onan generally means the piston rings are shot.
• Black exhaust from a two cycle engine means the mixture is set way too rich.
• Small amounts of steam coming out of a two cycle engine is considered normal, steam (white smoky stuff) coming out of an Onan indicates a problem.
• If you have never operated a two cycle car ask an experienced two cycle operator to give you pointers on setting the fuel mixture on the carburetor, setting the timer for starting and running the car, and throttle operation in conjunction with timer settings.
• Setting the timer contacts on two cycle engines is easy. Fairmont has a detailed explanation in the manual covering the engine to which the timer is tied. (See Railroad Motor Car Resource Library above)
• Carry a basic set of tools with you on an excursion, just in case of mechanical malfunction.

Your First Car

• Don't buy the first car that comes along without asking someone else in the hobby for information - they'll be glad to help, you'll pay less and get a car that suits you, your pocketbook and your abilities better.
• If at all possible take at least one ride with a seasoned operator before you buy a car so you a) can get excited about getting into the hobby and b) have a little bit of an idea about what you are getting yourself into.
• Get at least one good run under you belt before you offer to take along somebody truly important to you. If you have a breakdown (or worse), humiliation in front of loved ones or friends outside the hobby may be long lasting and painful.
• When rebuilding your car for the first time, ensure that you make a complete and thorough inspection of the brake system. Replace anything that even looks like it is worn.
• Most important retail sources for parts include Fairmont, Brown Railroad Equipment, Newman Machinery and Les King.

Good Advice Your Mother Would Give You if She Was in the Hobby

• When in doubt use the brakes. Its a whole lot easier to sort out a problem when you are stopped and have some help than when you are moving.
• If you can avoid carrying spare gas cans on your car, do so.
• Bring plenty of liquid refreshment (non-alcoholic of course) on summer excursions. It can be very dehydrating being out in the hot sun all day.
• Unless otherwise instructed don't back up.
• Duct tape is to speeders as bailing wire is to Fords.
• If your 6VDC electrical system works well, don't change it. If it doesn't work well you can get it changed to 12VDC quickly and easily.
• Remember to set your rail sweeps down when you set on.
• A good rule of thumb when towing a motor car is to check the tie downs when you load the car, check a second time before you move the trailer the car is on, and check the tie downs at any rest stop you make on the road.
• A good pair of leather gloves will keep the heat from the engine off of your hands.
• Hearing protection is very important. Buy it and use it if you feel you need to.
• Many people find sunscreen and bug repellent to be valuable items on an excursion.

Misc. Gems

• A motor car with a windshield being towed on a trailer creates wind drag all out of proportion to its weight and size.
• With a large dose of humility and courtesy, you can fit in anywhere and be safe.
• The three most common questions you will be asked are: a) how fast will it go? b) where's the steering wheel? and c) how do you know when a train's coming?
• The larger the livestock on the right of way the more apt they are to challenge you for said right of way.
• Although normal grade crossings can be scary, pay lots of attention to farmer's crossings during planting and harvesting seasons. Farmers use huge and slow moving machinery.
• When it's not planting or harvesting season, keep an eye peeled anyway for teenage kids on dirt bikes or ATVs. You can bet the farm they're not looking for rail traffic!
• Gang cars are appropriately titled as it usually takes a gang to turn them. In terms of the size of motor cars, bigger means heavier. Plan accordingly.
• A car that runs perfectly at the house will defy all attempts to start at set on at least once and usually on the trip you most dearly want to go on.

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