McKeen Motor Car Company
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The McKeen Motor Car Company was a builder of railroad motor cars (railcars), constructing approximately 150 between 1905–1917. Founded by William McKeen, the Union Pacific Railroad's Superintendent of Motive Power and Machinery, the company was essentially an offshoot of the Union Pacific and the first cars were constructed by the UP before McKeen leased shop space from them. The UP had asked him to develop a way of running small passenger trains more economically, and McKeen produced a design that was ahead of its time. Unfortunately, internal combustion engine technology was not, and the McKeen cars never found a truly reliable powerplant.
The vast majority of the cars produced were for E. H. Harriman's empire of lines (Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and others). Harriman's death in 1909 lost the company its major sponsor and investor, and Harriman's successors were less enthusiastic about the McKeen cars.
Most McKeen cars ended up being re-engined with a variety of drive mechanisms—gasoline-mechanical, gasoline-electric, diesel-electric, or even steam power.
Most, although not all, McKeen cars had the distinctive "wind-splitter" pointed aerodynamic front end and rounded tail. The porthole windows were also a McKeen trademark, adopted allegedly for strength after the 7th production car. A dropped central door, as pictured, was also present on the majority of the cars. Two lengths, 55 and 70 feet, were offered; either could be fitted out with a large mail and express area ahead of the center doors, a smaller mail/express area, or the car could be all seats for a maximum capacity of 64 or 105 respectively.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum is in the process of restoring a McKeen car, #22 of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, a 70 foot car. The original powerplant did not survive, but it is planned to replace it with a modern engine and drive system to allow the car to be in regular service if required.
