UPDATE: Still available.
(05/20/2019) This jeep-train carried visitors through Fairchild Gardens.
View all the information on eBay
“Postcard Florida CJ-5 Rambler Jeep Fairchild Tropical Garden”
Fairchild Gardens Jeep Train Postcard on eBay
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Jeep-Trains Research Archives
Jeeps in the Detroit Salt Mines
I saw a reference to jeeps in Detroit’s salt mines on Facebook. After a some research, I found a few more images. The salt is used exclusively as road de-icer.
- You can read more about the salt mines here: http://blogs.detroitnews.com/history/2000/01/22/the-ghostly-salt-city-beneath-detroit/ and here https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/2017/07/detroit_salt_mines_inside_mich.html
- You can see large images of the mine here.
https://ephemeraldetroit.blogspot.com/2015/06/salt-city-beneath-detroit-booklet-1971.html
Daytona Beach Trains & Jeeps
Thanks to Roger Martin for pointing out these series of jeep pics from 1950s Daytona Beach. These were all posted to the Greetings from Daytona Beach Facebook page.
- These 1959 photos show Charlie Fogg’s Beach train, which ran a four mile round trip pulling one or more trams. You can see it’s a jeep under that train facade. That might even be a CJ-3B.
- This one looks to be a second version of Mr. Fogg’s beach train:
- CJ-3B sporting a dog racing sign:
- This ice cream vendor might be a CJ-3A:
- Mr. George Tetter, the Ice Cream Man, at Daytona Beach with his CJ-5:
- Two 1946 photos of an early jeep (MB/GPW) tram at Daytona Beach:
Highland Hammock State Park Jeep Trains, Sebring, FL
UPDATE: There’s another Hammock State Park postcard on eBay. The original post is from 2013.
“This is a very cool black/white postcard that shows a jeep “Conducted Tour – Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring Florida” It is unused, but has a hand written date of 1955 on the back. It is in excellent condition.”
View all the information on ebay
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Original Post from 2013:
Highlands Hammock State Park ran tour trains from at least 1948 – 1962. As the first photo shows, they started with a CJ-2A. It looks like a set of benches on a platform with wheels. By 1962, the park shifted to CJ-5s. It also appears they added sides. I images that was safer. These are all from the State Archives of Florida.
http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/56346
http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/56343
http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/78488
More Tour Jeep — Jeep Train Photos
Derek Redmond shared some more jeep-train and tour jeep photos he’s uncovered on various sites. Cool stuff!
Postcard from Fantastic Caverns on eBay
UPDATE: Another postcard with this image is back on eBay.
(08/01/2015) You can learn more about Fantastic Caverns here: http://www.ewillys.com/2012/11/22/bill-visits-the-fantastic-caverns/
“Springfield Missouri~Jeep & Tram Thru Fantastic Caverns~1960s Postcard”
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Het Nationaal Modelspoor Museum
Netherland’s National Train Museum includes one of the oddest wagons I’ve seen. Thanks to Scott for sharing this photo from Facebook.
Baraboo Circus Jeep Train Postcard on eBay
UPDATE: There’s another Baraboo Postcard on eBay.
(08/04/2014) This CJ-5 used to ferry visitors around Baraboo. I visited Barboo about two decades ago, but never saw it. It must have already been gone.
http://www.circusworldbaraboo.org/our-treasures/history-of-circus-world/
This jeep and tram toured through Baraboo, pointing out various circus sites, including final resting spots in Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Lewis and Clark Cavern Jeep Railway Postcards on eBay
August 21, 2018 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Old Images, Postcards • TAGS: Jeep-Trains.
UPDATE: This was last published in 2012. A couple of the postcards are back on eBay.
Originally published November 10, 2012: The Lewis and Clark Cavern was Montana’s first State Park and is located here. You can read about the history of the caves here. In 1947 the Montana Standard published an article about the cavern accompanied by the photo and caption below. You can view the entire article in this PDF file.
Here are three postcards related to this Jeep Railway.
1. View all the information on eBay
2. I haven’t seen this one on eBay in a while …
3. View all the information on eBay
Conch Jeep Train Key West, Florida
UPDATE: Mark shared this closeup photo of the Jeep Train ‘Engine’.
Original Post — Jan 19, 2013: Here’s a jeep train out of Key West, the ‘world famous ‘Conch Tour Train‘. You can still find the Conch Tour Trains wandering Key West. Here’s a picture of one. It looks to be a CJ-5. Here’s an article about them.
Vintage Conch Tour Train Pics: Check out all those shrimp boats in the background. you can just make out the jeep trapped under the shell of the train body.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/77312. Picture taken by Barron, Charles.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/77286. Picture taken by Barron, Charles.
1943 Photo of Jeep Hauling Cargo Car on eBay
One of the better jeep train photos.
“1943 Press Photo Pvt. Ward directs the jeep carrying cargo and three others. This is an original press photo. 6 –The jee takes on cargo at the loading platform in an air depot. The jeep has only one small trailer. In jeep is Sgt. D. Kelly. of Betava, N.Y. Pvt. Ed. L. Ward, of Kenton, Ohio, directs from the platform, while Pvt. Henry Martion. of Great Falls, Mont, is in the truck on platform. Sgt. M. J. Bacciarina, from Merced, Calif., stands at rear of trailer.Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 08-20-1943.”
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1950 Popular Mechanic Post on an Amusement Park
June 25, 2017 • CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual • TAGS: Extended, Jeep-Trains, Odd Body.
In the same January 1950 Popular Mechanic’s issue about the Santa Fe trail, Gayland spotted an article about jeeps (pages 104 and 105). Note that the jeep in the first pic looks to have a CJ-2A body, as the bow holders are there.
View the article here (you will have to search for the article within the magazine).
Postcard of Wisconsin Deer Park on eBay
Seth spotted this postcard depicting a jeep pulling visitor trams at the Wisconsin Deer Park at the Wisconsin Dells. Opened in the 1950s (see history here), the park still operates, but there’s no evidence that the trams are still used, The closest thing to a jeep tram is a kids train.
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St. Augustine Jeep Train
1943 Photo of Jeep Riding the Rails
This photo and caption was published in the Toledo Blade, August 13, 1943.
Postcard of DJ-3A Surrey Pulling a Matching Trailer
July 15, 2015 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, DJ-3A, Features, Postcards • TAGS: Jeep-Trains, Surrey.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This Winter Park Surrey postcard doesn’t pop on eBay very often. It shows a DJ-3A Surrey pulling a matching trailer in Winter Park, Florida.
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Here’s another view of the same combo:
Arboretum Jeep Train Postcard
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. Here’s another one of these rare Arcadia Jeep Train postcards.
This postcard depicts how tram visitors used to tour the former Santa Anita ranch of “Lucky Baldwin”, who made millions in silver. According to the website, “Occupying the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita, The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a unique 127 acre botanical garden and historical site jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and located in the city of Arcadia.”
Swiss Inspection Jeep
Paul spotted this unique Inspection Willys Jeep Truck at Just a Car Guy’s blog. I would guess this was sold as a truck with no bed. What’s odd is the extra cab thing on the top. Looks like it was part of another vehicle.
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2015/03/swiss-rail-road-inspection-willys-jeep.html
1964 Photo of the Last Chancer on eBay
I’ve got more information about this jeep train called the Last Chancer from Helena, Montana, here.
“Original Vintage Snapshot Photo Jeep Powered The Last Chancer Tourist Steam Train Helena Montana dated 1964. Size is 3.5×5 inches.”
View all the information on eBay
Train / Allis Chalmers M7 Hickman, NE **Status Unknown*
UPDATE: Was $8500. **Status Unknown**
JAAP correctly noted this was built from an Allis-Chambers M7 Snowcat platform. Here’s a restoration of a M7 for comparison: http://www.robertsarmory.com/M7-snow-tractor.htm
“Here is your opportunity to get a great piece of American ingenuity and history. This is a one of a kind train built back in the 1950’s by hand. I do not know anything of the man that built it but believe he must have had some railroad experience or a great understanding of how a train operates on the tracks. The train is built with front suspension that allows it to turn with the tracks along with allowing it to float into the turns with the spring suspension. The rear of the train is designed with the same setup. The drivetrain is built of a war time 1944 Willys Jeep. It has the L-head 134.2 cubic inch inline 4 cylinder Go Devil Engine. Followed up with a T-84 3 speed transmission. The transmission has what looks to be a custom transmission brake on it for slowing the train. The transmission is followed up by a shortened drive shaft to a narrowed rear-end to which came from the same jeep.
The motor spins free and everything looks to be in place as well as the transmission shifting. I have not tried to start it. Last time it was reported to be ran is when it was parked about 20 years ago. The rest of the train is built with a stout frame and a beautifully done engine cover hand formed from numerous sheets of skins to give it a period correct look of its time. The head light is from a 1941 Chevrolet car.
1945 Ethyl Corporation Ad on eBay
UPDATE: This is back on eBay
“Original 1945 Vintage Ad Ethyl Corporation Gasoline Curtiss Commando Plane,Jeep,Navy Boat.
In very good condition, measuring approximately 8″ x 10.5″ and is ready for framing.
Comes in a protective plastic covering with a backing board to protect from bending.”
View all the information on eBay
1966 Jeep Train Postcard on eBay
Looks like a CJ-5 is underneath the train-looking body. The photo is from Manhattan, Kansas. The train is a Deibler Trackless Train.
1962 Shelburne Museum Map Jeep Train Brochure on eBay
You might remember that Ann and I visited the Shelburne Museum in June of 2013. According to this brochure, they used to have a jeep-train (which they called the museum barge). I’ll do some searches for more photos.
One here: Shelburne Museum Map on eBay
A second map here: Shelburne Museum Map on eBay
Jeep Train Postcard from Mackinaw City, MI eBay
Here’s a rare jeep-train photo Marc forwarded. I’ll see if I can find more info about this. We stopped near here during our stay in Mackinaw City, MI in May.
View all the information on ebay
William Edwin Pidgeon’s Jeep Train Illustrations
Australian Bill Pidgeon (Wikipedia) had a successful career as an illustrator, painter and correspondent from the 1920s through the 1970s. A three-time Archibald Prize winner, one of Bill’s descendants (Peter Pidgeon) has created a wonderful website devoted to Bill’s life. Among the items the site includes are drawings and photos of jeep trains encountered by Bill in the Pacific war-theatre during his trip as a war correspondent for The Australian Women’s Weekly. In his ‘war letters‘ are some detailed observations about daily life in Borneo following it’s release from Japanese control.
One of Bill’s more interesting observations was recorded in Borneo. On August 16th, 1945, he wrote:
From Labuan another four and a half hours of sitting on a barge like a redhot waffle iron will bring you to the area occupied by the 24th Bgde. This is the land of the celebrated jeep train. Steam engines used to haul the train from Weston to Jesselton but on their hurried way out the Nips did their best to incapacitate the locomotives and the RAAF filled the boilers full of holes. So the engineers put iron tyres on the jeeps and shoved them on the rails and hooked the trucks behind.
Here is an example of an illustration and photo published on the site. There are others from an August 4-6, 1945, letter:
An additional illustration sketched by Bill that might interest restorers includes a detailed look at designs and colors used to mark one jeep train.