Amazing Vintage Photographs Of The TC-497 Overland Train Mark II, The Longest Offroad Vehicle In The World – Design You Trust — Design Daily Since 2007

Amazing Vintage Photographs Of The TC-497 Overland Train Mark II, The Longest Offroad Vehicle In The World

In the early 1950s, LeTourneau, Inc., a heavy-equipment maker based in Longview, Texas, developed the idea of using a diesel-electric transmission to drive multi-wheeled vehicles. Each wheel was driven by a separate electric motor, which gave the vehicles much better traction as the force of the engine was spread across a number of wheels.

h/t: vintag.es

In general terms these vehicles were similar to the diesel-electric locomotives that were being widely introduced by the railways at the same time, but they replaced the steel wheels with rubber ones. The earliest vehicles using the system were a number of 6×6 graders, wheel tractor-scrapers and other earthmovers.

Following the successful of LCC-1, in 1958 the U.S Army contracted for a larger version, the TC-497 Overland Train Mark II. Generally similar to the LCC-1 in concept, the Mark II included a number of features to allow the train to grow to any length. This massive Overland Train had four 1,170-hp Solar 10MC turbine engines. Each wheel was powered electrically and maximum speed was about 20 mph under full load.

The massive cab supported a crew of (up to) six along with a galley, bathroom and sleeping quarters. The main car was over 30-feet tall. At it final, maximum length, the LeTourneau TC-497 Overland Train Mark II measured over 570-feet long. If needed, they could add additional trailers. Range was between 300 and 400 miles under load.

The LeTourneau TC-497 Overland Train Mark II had several advantages over its predecessors including the ability for each trailer to power-steer itself. Rather than suffer from the arc of a turn reducing itself, each trailer would turn when signaled. This allowed the LeTourneau TC-497 Overland Train Mark II to negotiate fairly tight turns.

Completed in 1961 (after extensive testing in the desert and snow), the LeTourneau TC-497 Overland Train Mark II was ready. While it performed well, it was retired before it could reach its potential. Heavy-lift helicopters were perfected and it rendered the massive vehicle obsolete.

Sadly, there are no working versions of any of the LeTourneau overland trains out there. Some are rusting in Alaska while a LeTourneau LCC-1 Sno-Train is on display at the Yukon Transportation Museum in Whitehorse, Alaska.










If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

See the Winners in Picture Wild Montana 2020 Photo Contest

Brutal 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Touring Berlinetta

Custom BMW R NineT Bike by Russian Custom Workshop Zillers Garage

Grizzly Bears Among Stunning Finalists of National Parks Photo Contest

Graphic Artist Turns One-Star Reviews Of National Parks Into Great Posters

Californian Inventor Spends Millions Creating One-Off Camper Van To Take His 4YO Daughter Around The World

Elephant Hotel: The Prime Example of Novelty Architecture in 1880s

Breakfast in Bed: Extraordinary Color Photographs Revealed the First Class of Air France in the 1950s

VELA: Innovative Cycle Trainer

This UI Engineer Makes Stunning Digital Art Entirely From HTML & CSS Code

In Poland, People Are Roleplaying as Americans, Here Are The Best Photos

'Stacked' Space Station Photos Highlight Star Trails

A Flash Drive Made To Look Like You're Storing Data On A Fish's Brain

3D Printing Fashion: How I 3D-Printed Clothes at Home

Hardware Steve Jobs

The Model of James Webb Space Telescope

Amazing Photos Capture Miami Zoo’s Efforts to Safeguard Flamingos in a Bathroom During the 1992 Hurricane

Vikki Dougan: Seductive Sex-Bomb Whose Daring Backless Dresses Inspired the 1950s Women's Fashion

Estonian Rapper Tommy Cash Has Collaborated with Adidas on Some Really Long Shoes

Artist Makes Evergreen Plants That Glow In The Dark

The Superb Tech-Inspired Sculptures by Michal Sycz

Marjan van Aubel's Creates Fantastic Solar-Powered Installation For Electric Lexus

Meet Rachael, the World’s First Fully Automated Autonomous 3D Design Influencer on Instagram

Conductive Artificial Skin Covers For Mobile Devices

1953 Packard Cavalier Fifth-Wheel Parking System by Brooks Walker

The Craft Of Ladies' Hairdressing: Cool Pics That Show Unique Hairdos Of The '50s Ladies

College Seniors Invent AI Helmet To Help The Visually Impaired See

BioVYZR: Upgrade Your Mask For Powered Air-Filtration N95 Protective Shield

Two Women Demonstrate How to Turn This Sidecar in to a Small Caravan With Two Beds in 1958

3D-Printed Paintings Let The Blind “See” Famous Art For The First Time