Custom Slingshot from a R.G. LeTourneau, Inc. Draftsman I Interviewed
During my trip to Texas last week, I interviewed a man who drafted the suspension components for the Overland Train MkII. The interview lasted only an hour. A couple of…
TC-497 Overland Train
62 posts
Bringing back Trailer Mounted Nuclear Micro-reactors
In the late 1950’s, the United States Army Nuclear Power Program (ANPP) was exploring a number of nuclear reactor types. One of those reactors was the ML-1. The ML-1 is…
Phase I Overland MkII: Early Drawing
The TC-497 Overland Train MkII was the final Overland Train produced. In early 1958, the United States Army requested a quote from R.G. LeTourneau, Inc. to research and develop a…
Gregg County Historical Museum LeTourneau Exhibit
Beginning April 13 and extending until June 12, 2021, the Gregg County Historical Museum will host an R.G. LeTourneau exhibit. Gregg County is where LeTourneau’s Longview, TX facilities used to…
Getting Traction in the Snow with the Overland Trains
The Yuma Proving Ground publishes their newsletter electronically. This month, the front page topic focused on traction in the snow. I figured that they had already done those tests with…
The Overland Train MkII (TC-497) with Power Car
Below, the Overland Train MkII rolls along with a Cargo Car and Power Car in Yuma, AZ. There is no backstory for this image and the source is unknown. This…
Scanning: Overland MkII Summary Report December 28, 1959
I worked on scanning the Overland Mk II Preliminary Design, Study, and Investigation report this weekend. The report is unpublished and a one of a kind. Once scanned, it will…
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 This unpublished report works through some of the initial ideas for the TC-497 Overland Train MkII.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…
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…
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.
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…
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…