YouTuber Calum Visits the TC-497 in Yuma Proving Ground
Earlier this week, YouTube Calum Gillies from Scotland, visited Yuma Proving Ground in Mesa, AZ. He was in town to produce a segment on the TC-497 LeTourneau Overland Train. You…
TC-497 Overland Train
59 posts
Overland Train TC-497 and Buggy Fan Art
Several young fans of R. G. LeTourneau’s Overland Trains sent in their fan art. The first drawing is of the Sno-Buggy. It had eight Firestone 120x48x68 wheels and was tested…
Building Strong Relationships Helps Retain our History
One of the best parts of researching, writing, and publishing the Overland Trains book was building relationships. I am grateful to the two dozen plus individuals that let me into…
Original TC-497 Manuals Saved from the Garbage
When the Army sold the TC-497 for surplus, it ended up making its way to a local surplus and salvage yard – Jet Sales Company. The two power cars were…
Received LeTourneau NOW Newsletters 1953-1966
I received a cache of gently read LeTourneau NOW newsletters in the mail yesterday. These company newsletters were published by R. G. LeTourneau. Inc. and mailed to whomever wanted to…
TC-497 Operator’s Station: Then and Now
Aside from a little paint and some wear and tear, I would say that the Operator’s seat and controls on the TC-497 have weathered well over the last 60 years.…
Is there a TC-497 Radio Sets Discrepancy?
I appreciate it when folks get ahold of me and point out issues, inconsistencies, or flat out errors in my published works, both my book and this website. It gives…
How to Tell the Difference Between Thompson Trailer and TC-497 Wheels
Thompson Trailers were unpowered trailers used from 1959 to around 1968. The trailers were towed by the Sno-Train, D8/D9 CATs, and other equipment; they had a load rating of 10-tons.…
Gold Digger Driving through Nome, AK
Gold Digger was a custom-built gold dredging machine. It was built by Lloyd Molby, an extremely talented engineer and builder. Here are a few images from it’s time rolling through…
This is Gold Digger
This is Gold Digger. It was built by a man named Lloyd Molby in Longview, TX. It used wheels and a trailer from the TC-497 as the platform. Unlike LeTourneau’s…
R. G. LeTourneau’s Overland Trains: a complete history is now AVAILABLE
I started writing this book in February of 2020. Two and a half years later, I have captured the most complete Overland Trains story ever published. Buy the book now…
TC-497 Tires in Rubber Magazine
From time to time, I come across some historical gems. I recently purchased a small magazine called Rubber. It appears to be from the Firestone Rubber and Tire Company. The…