Appleton Car Mover Company "Atlas VII" Railcar Mover, circa 1920

01

Artifact Overview

This tool allowed the user to move a railroad car by hand through the power of compound leverage. The user positioned the wedge under one of the car's wheels and pushed down on the handle. This motion simultaneously pressed a spur -- or fulcrum -- down onto the rail and pushed a small foot up against the wheel to ease the car forward.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Tool

Date Made

circa 1920

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2018.91.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)
Paint (Coating)

Color

Black (Color)
Orange (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 52.5 in (Handle)
Diameter: 2.5 in (Handle, at widest point)
Height: 23 in (Steel mover)
Width: 3.25 in (Steel mover)
Length: 5.5 in (Steel mover)

Inscriptions

on proper left side of steel mover: APPLETON CAR MOVER CO on proper right side of steel mover: ATLAS VI[I]
Appleton Car Mover Company "Atlas VII" Railcar Mover, circa 1920