First, allow me to thank all of you who responded to my original post on this subject. Especially those who contacted me through the Hawaiian Railway Society website with additional information. We received our TT chassis shortly before Christmas and have been soaking all the fasteners with our 50-50 mixture of acetone and ATF to free everything up. The "required" engine, transmission and axle manuals have been ordered. Based on just the engine serial number we appear to have a 1919 model TT which is perfect since the OR&L built their's in 1920. The engine is free and the cylinder walls and pistons look good so far. We also have two other engines available. The water jacket in the head had been home to a mouse and the little guy had a full stash of food. Now to the questions.

Is the brake handle on the TT the same as the T? Ours was cut to allow fitting into a smaller crate and although a spare was provided the brake rod attachment point is broken off. The cross rod is good which is nice because of the longer pawl to engage the transmission.

Searching old threads I've seen reference to a Hassler Spring manual. Where can we get one? We're making spring compressors but I hate stored energy situations.

And at last, here's what we bought.







I may have screwed up in getting the Ruckstell axle as it's going to be a nightmare shortening it to our 36 inch track gauge. May have to modify the wheels to allow for a "deep dish" to avoid cutting into the housing.

Jeff Livingston
Historian
Hawaiian Railway Society

The hand brake handle is the same, the only difference it the length of the clutch pawl.

Nice TT chassis!

Yes, you can use the T handle on that TT p/n1134 cross shaft. Only that shaft and lever p/n1133 are unique to the TT.

Cutting down that housing and axle shafts would be a chore, but perhaps best way to get to the gage you need for the rails, same with the front axle one would suppose.

Lots of cut down Model T's with short axles front and rear have been done!



With your supply of reprints, a Price and Price List Book (reprint date Aug 5, 1928) is handy for T and TT ref. And you can get the Hassler Inst from vendors (Langs) as a reprint.

Making a little tool for compressing Hassler springs is easy.

Just a thought - I'm not trying to convince you of anything. The Hasslers on the rear end sure do look like a lot of springs. I imagine they helped a lot with heavy loads on rough roads. However, do you really want or need all that on a truck that will run on rails, presumably with no real bumps? Perhaps just using the stock TT rear springs and leaving the Hasslers off will make it easier for you without any functional difference.

Another comment: I don't know what static tension is on the Hasslers, but there isn't any on the TT springs. Unlike a regular T, on a TT each side is a separate stack of leafs. Once you remove the axle assembly the TT rear springs come apart easily.

I'm SURE this will be a really neat project. PLEASE keep us posted with progress photos!!

jeff, really neat project ! can't wait to see it progress. i would be interested in purchasing those TT rear hassler shocks. you sure don't need shocks on a TT rail car, and they are worth a good bit of money, which you could put towards your restoration. if interested, please contact me. again, good luck with your project !

I believe there is what looks to be a narrowed TT ruckstell on tbay right not somewhere in TN, saw it this morning.

Yep looks shorter

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-TT-Ruckstell-Rear-/321050798691?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac01e6a63&vxp=mtr

Thanks for the input Gentlemen, the OR&L built the rail bus with Hassler's on the rear and so will we (I hope). If they could do it in 1920 we can figure it out. Since the rail bus carried up to 12 seated passengers and however many could fit standing that may be the reason for the additional springs. The photos of the spring compressor mimics what I had imagined and we'll proceed to fabricate one. Glad to know the brake handles are the same. On further review we might actually have to lengthen the brake handle since the rail bus was operated with the driver/engineer standing. This will indeed be a fun project and is funded by a generous donation. Our goal is to have an operating chassis by the end of this year with the body work the following year.

Thanks again,

Jeff Livingston

To narrow the rear axles you can remove the rivets and cut down then re rivet the tube then have the axles cut off the right amount and have the inner end machined to match the old inner ends. I cut and welded my tubes and then did as above to the axle shafts for my 44" Snowmobile.

sounds like you snagged the perfect chassis, then. you could look for a set or rear TT hasslers for a long time. good luck on the project ! tim

If you need double front Hasslers I have several sets danuser88@ktis.net

Thanks for the additional information. At first check we would have to cut into the driver's side casting of the Ruckstell to get to 36 inches. While this might not really be a problem until the manual arrives I can't tell. The front springs are full elliptical and will have to be fabricated. We're proceeding slowly and doing the engineering first. General order No. 1 - Don't be stupid. Served me well for 27 years in the Navy.

Jeff Livingston

Cutaway view of the TT rear axle