Overland Trains

Category: TC-497 Overland Train

  • Summary Report: Preliminary Design, Study, and Investigations on the Overland Train Project

    Summary Report: Preliminary Design, Study, and Investigations on the Overland Train Project

    The above titled report is dated December 28, 1959. This unpublished report works through some of the initial ideas for the TC-497 Overland Train MkII. Discussion includes engine choices, decisions that led to the Solar turbines, and much more. The report also includes specifications and engineering drawings for suspension, heating system, electrical diagrams, and others. I have unfolded all of the large format papers and will have them scanned for future historians.

  • Overland Train Mk II Juggernaut Video Game

    Overland Train Mk II Juggernaut Video Game

    The Overland Trains have inspired others to make one of a kind toys and now video games. Seen below is a screenshot from the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BncCaFPxTz4. It shows the TC-497 Overland Mk II as a car juggernaut. The front attachment appears to be some sort of spiked roller. It somewhat reminds me of the LeTournea Tree Crusher.

  • Overland Train MkII TC-497 in Testing

    Overland Train MkII TC-497 in Testing

    In the recently acquired image below, the TC-497 Overland Mk II is shown from the front with two Army service members. This is an actual photo.

    • TC-497 with trailers
    • Back of image

  • Overland Train MkII Toy Model image received

    R.G. LeTourneau’s TC-497, or the Overland Train MkII, never saw production outside of one unit. It was the most engineered out of all of the Overland Trains. The model MkII seen below was one of the first steps in testing the S-curve ability of the design. This model was electrified and tested. You can see the toy Jeep for scale.

  • Model Powered Overland Train Mk II

    R.G. LeTourneau, Inc. began work on the Overland Mk II as early as 1958. Unlike the previous Overland Trains, the Mk II was years in the making. Engineers and laborers spent large swaths of time with the larger train concept, designing suspension, wheel motor cooling, and other components and features. The model Overland Mark II you see below, in R.G. LeTourneau’s Annual Report, is one stage of development used to understand steering and trailer tracking. The Mk II was handed over to the United States Army in Mar/Apr of 1962, where it was transported to the Yuma Proving Grounds for testing.

    29th Annual R.G. LeTourneau, Inc. Annual Report, 1958

  • Overland MkII (TC-497) Cab Restoration

    In 2019, retired Army NCO Mark Sandercock led a crew of 5 to restore the relatively untouched control cab interior. They hand cleaned and painted the interior over the course of a couple of weeks. Other improvements and repairs include restitching the dry rotted curtains and the addition of solar powered night lights. The volunteers would still like to re-canvas the cockpit seats. Aside from that, they feel their job is complete.

    • TC-497 restored kitchen
      Mark Sandercock in the restored kitchen of the TC-497 //The Outpost, Volume 68 No. 6 March 18, 2019.
    • factory image of TC-497 kitchen
      Overland Mk II (TC-497) kitchen area as seen from the factory
    Overland Train MkII (TC-497) at the Yuma Proving Ground Heritage Center //Flickr

  • TC-497 Overland Train MkII Cargo

    This U.S. Army photo of the Overland MkII shows you the freight car’s massive size. If you look at the first freight car, notice the Jeep parked perpendicular to the cargo boxes. Freight car number 5 shows an M113 armored personnel carrier. The next shows a yellow bulldozer!

    Source: US Army Photo