Jeep-Trains Research Archives

Willys Jeep trains and trams were used all over the United States to pull visitors and tour groups through parks and cities. CJ-2As, CJ-3As, CJ-5s and CJ-3Bs

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Het Nationaal Modelspoor Museum

• CATEGORIES: Willys Wagons • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Netherland’s National Train Museum includes one of the oddest wagons I’ve seen. Thanks to Scott for sharing this photo from Facebook.

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Conch Jeep Train Key West, Florida

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Mark shared this closeup photo of the Jeep Train ‘Engine’.

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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.

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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.

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State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/77286.  Picture taken by Barron, Charles.

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1943 Photo of Jeep Hauling Cargo Car on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.”

View all the information on eBay

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1943-08-20-jeep-rails-train-australia2

 
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St. Augustine Jeep Train

• CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Another example of a Jeep Train. This one is from St. Augustine.

View all the information on eBay

st-augustine-postcard-jeeptrain1 st-augustine-postcard-jeeptrain2

 
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1943 Photo of Jeep Riding the Rails

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This photo and caption was published in the Toledo Blade, August 13, 1943.

1943-08-19-toledoblade-jeep-on-rails

 
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Swiss Inspection Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Willys Trucks • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

swiss-railroad-inspection-jeep

 
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1964 Photo of the Last Chancer on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

1964-last-chancer-jeep-train-helena-mt

 
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Train / Allis Chalmers M7 Hickman, NE **Status Unknown*

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

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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. 

Continue reading

 
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1945 Ethyl Corporation Ad on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

1945-ethyl-ad-burma-jeep-train

 
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1966 Jeep Train Postcard on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Looks like a CJ-5 is underneath the train-looking body. The photo is from Manhattan, Kansas. The train is a Deibler Trackless Train.

View all the info on eBay

1966-diebler-trackless-jeep-train-postcard1 1966-diebler-trackless-jeep-train-postcard2

 

 

 
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1962 Shelburne Museum Map Jeep Train Brochure on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

shelburne-museum-jeep-train

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Jeep Train Postcard from Mackinaw City, MI eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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

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April 14, 1944 Article from London News on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a great shot of a jeep on rails from the April 14, 1944 issue of Illustrated London News.

View all the information on eBay

1944-04-15-london-news

 
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Jeep Train in Colombia

• CATEGORIES: Features, International • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Sebastian’s in Colombia for a week and forwarded this article regarding a jeep train in Colombia. Here are a few photos and the link to the article (it is in Spanish).

http://www.carroya.com/contenido/clasificar/Chicas_famosos/top_carroya/2013/ARTICULO-WEB-PTL_NOTA-12984087.html

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Jeep Train in Galveston, TX

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Bob reports they’ve been running this Jeep Train in Galveston, TX, since 1951. I tried to find some old photos or articles, but didn’t have any luck.

galveston-tx-jeep-train

 
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1984 Photos of CJ-7 Jeep Train on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The Lincoln Road Mall appears to be in Miami.

1. View all the information on ebay

Lincoln Road Mall

2. View all the information on ebay

Lincoln Road Mall

 

 
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1980 Photo of the Hallandale Broward County Jeep Tram **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay

The original Broward County Jeep Tram was launched by Hugh B. Cramer in 1946. Hugh brought five jeeps with him from Buffalo that could be linked together and drive out onto sandy beaches.

Hugh’s plan didn’t succeed, but a jeep tram did root itself in Hallandale. According to this article, the jeep trams were begun in 1982 as an adjunct to the bus system, but this photo suggests it happened earlier. The city paid for the majority of the costs. As of 1990 the trams were still running based on the picture at the bottom.

1. “You are bidding on an original press photo from 1980 featuring Tram in Hallandale. . Photo is 10” x 8” in size.”

1980-broward-county-tram-photo1

2. You are bidding on an original press photo from 1990 featuring Voyager Tram… Broward . Photo is 10” x 8” in size.

View all the information on ebay

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Postcard of Jeep Train in Marblehead, OH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: this was on eBay

The Prehistoric Forest & Mystery Hill park in Marblehead in Ohio once featured these jeep trains.  I guess jeeps and dinosaurs go together?  The park closed at the end of 2010 based on what I’ve read.  There is no date associated with the below card.

jeep-train-marblehead-oh-postcard1

 
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Postcard of Huntington Beach Jeep Tram

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Was on eBay. **SOLD**

Here’s a jeep tram that is pulling tourists along the Huntington Beach Pier.

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Crazy Jeep Train & Comic

• CATEGORIES: Comics, Features • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Taking pity on Mark’s withdrawals, I spotted this link that I never posted about Fred Kay’s Crazy Railroad.  Lots of jeeps on rails.

http://www.victorhornetcomics.co.uk/fredkayrly.html

Meanwhile, I’m going through and deleting old posts to reduce the site’s overhead while I move it over.

 
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Desert of Maine Jeep Train

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Thanks to Warren for forwarding this lead.  Perhaps it is more accurate to call these mini-jeep trains, but just outside Freeport, Maine, there is a CJ-5 and CJ-7 that still pull tourists in a tourist-trailer around the sand (which I think they call ‘narrated coach tours’).  You can learn more about them here.  I managed to find a few photos of them on Flickr.  It looks like there are two different coaches.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_west_wing/8152632437/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/7588183@N04/4858047781/?q=desert%20of%20maine%20jeep

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Flamingo Gardens Jeep Train in Flamingo, FL

• CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Craig spotted a postcard on eBay about a jeep train in Flamingo, FL.  Some additional investigation revealed the  train was located at the Flamingo Botanical Gardens. It looks like they still use a CJ-5 to pull the jeep train! A tour leaves every hour, on the hour, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

“Flamingo Gardens is a 60 acre not-for-profit attraction with a wildlife sanctuary, aviary, and botanical garden. The Gardens were originally the property of Floyd L. and Jane Wray, who in 1933 built a home and citrus grove on what was then the edge of the Everglades, where they started a botanical collection of tropical and subtropical fruit trees and shrubs.”

From the website:

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Here are historical photos of the jeep train:

Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/92849:

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State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/131421:

flamingo-gardens-jeep-tour-jeep

Here’s the postcard: View all the information on eBay

swamp-buggy-flamingo-fl-postcard

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The Last Chancer: A Jeep Train in Helena, MT

• CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The Last Chancer, a wooden train built on a jeep platform, is documented at the Helena History Museum.  You can view additional pictures at the Museum page.  A Last Chance Train still exists, but has been upgraded.

In this early picture taken in 1954 you can see what appears to be a CJ-3B peering out from it’s enclosure.

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Here is the Train as of 1957.

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The Last Chancer made an appearance in the 1956 issue of Popular Science on page 104:

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Craig’s Pic of the Week: Unusual Jeep Train

• CATEGORIES: Craigs Pic of the Week, Features, Postcards • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

For his Pic of the Week, Craig forwarded this unusual train built on a jeep platform that was featured in a 1964 issue of Jeep News.

I found an example of the above train-jeep being used at Africa, USA, though the details were slightly different.  These pictures come from cardcow.com.

I’m wondering if this jeep train out of St. Augustine, FL, isn’t a custom version of the above platform.  You can see the older St. Augustine Jeep Trains here.

 
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Bill Visits the Fantastic Caverns

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Learn more about the green jeep in the comments section.

Upon learning about the jeep at the Fantastic Cavern’s Visitor Center in Springfield, Missouri, Bill had to see it for himself.  Fortunately for us, he took along his camera.  Since Friday is the official start of the Christmas season, even though ‘Black Friday’ has now leaked into the evening of ‘Turkey, Christmas presents in the back of jeep just seemed a perfect way to launch the season (for us Willys nuts anyway).

Here’s photos of the original jeep.  Bill was told it was a CJ-2A, but it seemed more 3A to him.

Here are some pics of the new propane fueled jeeps: