I was going through old newspapers from my hometown when I ran across this little gem. This article is from March 18, 1904, Wishek News (North Dakota).
I was immediately intrigued. What in the world was a railway velocipede?
The original velocipede was defined as a human-powered land vehicle with one or more wheels. It was basically the bicycle with a variety of weird wheel sizes.
To adopt this for use on railroad tracks, adjustments had to be made. The original patent for this that I found was 1881. The purpose of a railway velocipede was to allow them to check for track maintenance needs and to do surveying.
By 1904, the design had advanced somewhat. It still appears to only have seating for one person in this design.
This version from 1902 seems to have adequate seating for the second person as well as being ‘hand powered’ (now called a handcar) rather than pedal powered.
While there is no way to know what model these gentlemen were riding on, here’s what a version might have looked like with the sail attachment.
By car, the road from Wishek to Ashley is about 25 miles. On a southeast angle, which I’m imagining the railway track to lay, is about 17 miles. One could imagine that they had a fine sail to Ashley, but had to hand pump the car all the way back to Wishek.
What a great story to enrich your family history! What stories are enriching your family history?
Fun story! Let me know if you come across stories about Walths or Rudolphs (husband’s family). Hubby was born in Ashley in a midwife’s home/office.
Nice to hear from you Joyce. I will keep my eyes open for the Rudolphs and Walths. I had an Otto Walth in my class.
Great story. I can’t quite imagine our G/R ancestors getting excited about this kind of ‘fun’. One could be working or resting instead!! My wife’s grandmother married William Maercklein (later second marriage) who was from Minot. I have not formally traced his family since there were children from that marriage. But I strongly believe he had Wishek/Ashley roots.
Larry, thanks for stopping by.
I’m thinking-young men looking for adventure?
I had no idea you might have Wishek roots. To my knowledge, the Maercklein name was gone from Wishek by the time I grew up. How do you pronounce that?
That story made me laugh! It sounds like something you and I might have dreamed up back-in-the-day!
I agree. In fact, I was just thinking that same thing this morning. Of course, our adventure might have been in search of an adventure like ‘The Mystery of the Missing Dog’ or whatever we were doing at the time. Do you remember that? Great memories.
I want to ride one.
I know, me too. It just sounds like a great adventure!