During my trip to Texas last week, I was gifted these LeTourneau Technologies and LeTourneau, Inc. swag.
Articles
-
Sno-Freighter Hauling Two Scrapers
In the image below, the Alaska Freight Lines Sno-Freighter (Model VC-22) carries two scrapers in one of its cargo cars. The image is dated March 01, 1956. This timeframe places the Sno-Freighter during it’s last journey before it jack-knifed and caught fire.
source: R.L.’s notebook dated March 01, 1956 -
Trip to Texas – May 17-22, 2021
I traveled to Texas the week of May 16th for book research. I went through piles and piles of archival folders, documents, and reports. The findings from this trip were significant, especially as it relates to the Sno-Train (LCC-1), Overland MkII, and information about R.G. LeTourneau. On Friday, I spent two hours talking to two different individuals over lunch. One of these men worked on the assembly line; he assembled the Sno-Buggy, Sno-Train, and Overland MkII!!! The other worked side-by-side with R.G. LeTourneau drafting up his ideas and the suspension for the Overland MkII. In total, I gathered nearly 6GB of data about the Overland Trains, including a dozen or so new Train concepts. I am still hoping to have my book published by the end of the year. I can definitely see all of this data delaying the final product by a few months into 2022 – I need to make sure this book is right!
I visited the Gregg County Historical Museum’s R.G. LeTourneau exhibit. There was a great deal of history about LeTourneau and his contributions, including a small exhibit on the Overland Trains. This exhibit closes June 12, 2021.
Most of the R.G. LeTourneau exhibit 
LeTourneau sign 
a 750 pound bomb made by LeTourneau for WWII
-
Sno-Train in Beaver Creek, Yukon, 1962
I made a connection yesterday that had some new Sno-Train images. They were taken by her father Jack Stalberg. The image below was taken in their front yard in Beaver Creek. No matter how much I dig and dig, it seems like there are always new family members finding that box of stuff with gems like these!
LCC-1 Sno-Train in Beaver Creek, YT, photo by Jack Stalberg -
Snow Buggy Steering Gear
How do you turn a 23 ton Snow Buggy without hydraulics? Easy, you build an Alternating Current (AC) electric steering motor and use a tooth gear sprocket. The image snippet below is from an early concept of the Snow Buggy No.2.
-
Sno-Train Visits Dawson, Yukon Territory with Tracked Vehicle
Between 1960 and 1962, the Sno-Train stopped on a gravel road, with light snow. It was carrying a small U.S. Army tracked vehicle with the number 41199309. The Sno-Train was pulling a low-boy with the tracked vehicle. The Archdeacon’s daughter, name unknown, was present while the Sno-Train stopped.
image Old Log Church Museum Collection -
Sno-Train Driving through Town
The image below shows the Sno-Train (LCC-1) in, or around, Dawnson, YT. Based on a few indicators from the machine’s image, this picture was taken prior to January of 1961. The square steel structure on the front of the LCC-1 was used to mount a radar unit.
Used with permission from the Roy McPhail fonds, Dawson City Museum -
Sno-Train Pulling a non-LeTourneau Trailer
During any scientific, research, or subject matter exploration, understanding the finer details can make or break a project. Observations that seem like minutia can be key puzzle pieces. In the Sno-Train image below, you can just make out a 4th trailer attached to the convoy. If you look closely, you can make out, what appear to be a spoked rim. This trailer is NOT a LeTourneau trailer. I will dedicate an entire chapter in my book to what these trailers and wheels originated and who built them. Until then, enjoy this newly published image.
-
Sno-Train Driving with Lights and Writing Update
Imagine driving down the road and seeing this machine taking over part of your lane. You bet that you are going to get over!
Writing has slowed over the last two weeks. I have been moving from Tacoma, WA to Gig Harbor, WA. It is time to get back to work! With the move comes an upgrade to my office environment. The Overland Trains book is now in full swing, as I have some space to write and a new large monitor to really deep dive into the materials. Next month, I will be traveling to visit a historian that has been helping me with research and conversation. Without him, this book would not be possible. I will be posting updates during the trip.
my office where I am writing the Overland Trains book -
Moving with the Overland Trains
The last couple of days were spent moving my wife and I to a new home in Gig Harbor, WA. As I started to unpack this morning, I noticed that my box labeling and Overland Train drawing skills need some practice. Back to work on Monday…
Overland Trains 