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- A Sail-Car for Use on the Railroad, circa 1885 - The Central Pacific Railroad owned a few sail cars for use by its track maintenance crews. Just as their name implies, these sail cars used large canvas sails to harness the wind as their power source. The sails were surprisingly effective. According to reports, a sail car might reach speeds near 40 miles per hour with a stiff wind behind it.
- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
A Sail-Car for Use on the Railroad, circa 1885
The Central Pacific Railroad owned a few sail cars for use by its track maintenance crews. Just as their name implies, these sail cars used large canvas sails to harness the wind as their power source. The sails were surprisingly effective. According to reports, a sail car might reach speeds near 40 miles per hour with a stiff wind behind it.