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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 on Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFL91FX6).
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Book Writing Update: Kindle eBook Version is Available for Pre-Order
The Amazon Kindle eBook is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. Click on the thumbnail cover below
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Sno-Train Traveling to Gulkana, AK for Operation Willow Freeze
During the two and a half years research for the Overland Trains book, I poured through mountains of original operating manuals, images, and personal slides. There aren’t too many images of the six Overland Trains that I haven’t seen. A couple of months ago, I came across an original slide for sale with the Sno-Train…
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TC-497 Design Report For Sale on eBay – Sam Duncan
A couple of days ago, a TC-497 Overland Train Design Report became available for sale on eBay. The initial cost was set at $7,000. A day or so later, the price is decreased to $3,000 or best offer. After reviewing the photos in the eBay ad, the front cover is stamped with the name Sam…
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R.G. LeTourneau’s Overland Trains now Available as an Audiobook
Amazon provided the opportunity for me to create an audio book using Artificial Intelligence. It is now available for $4.99 on my Amazon page. Select “Audiobook” and pay $4.99 or select it as a free option with an Audible membership trial – R. G. LeTourneau’s Overland Trains: a complete history: Moore, Mark I.: 9798840211878: Amazon.com:…
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Visitors to the Panama Canal, Miraflores Locks: 1955 and 2025
R.G. and R.L. LeTourneau visited the Miraflores Locks on Sunday, March 27, 1955. They were visiting the Panama Canal (Canal) to assess and propose a more modern approach to pulling ships through the locks, specifically the Miraflores Locks. Upon returning from the Canal, LeTourneau went to work. He created a replica of the undulating terrain…
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Firestone Birthday Cake for R.G.
On R.G. LeTourneau’s 75th birthday, Mrs. R.G. surprised her husband with a 108-pound cake. This was no ordinary cake, as it mirrored the Firestone 120x48x68 tires found on the Sno-Train, TC-497, and other LeTourneau machines. The cake was 30 inches in diameters and 14 inches thick, requiring three days to bake. Attached to the enormous…
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Driving a Car through the Firestone 120x48x68
The Firestone 120x48x68 tires have a massive inner diameter. Captured to demonstrate the tremendous size of the new tires, a ramp was built so that a car could drive through the center.
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LeTourneau Builds Electric Panama Canal Tugs in 1957
In late 1956, the Panama Canal Company awarded R.G. LeTourneau, Inc. a contract to significantly modernize how ships are pulled through the Panama Canal. This is the first major modernization since 1914. LeTourneau was asked to build two prototype machines at a cost of $650,000. These prototypes would be used for one year. If acceptable,…
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Steve McPeak and the Sno-Freighter
In December 2024, I received an email from someone who told an interesting story about Steve McPeak and owning one of the Overland Trains. McPeak was a daredevil and holder of 24 world records. “Around 1980 I met a guy named Steve Mcpeak who at the time was doing a daredevil act act at Chicago…
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Building the Firestone 120x48x68 Tire Molds with a BETTS Vertical Boring Mill
R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. was no stranger to building huge machinery. However, it wasn’t until 1952 that R. G.’s son, Ben LeTourneau built the tire mold that would help shape a critical component of the Overland Trains story – the monstrous tires! From this custom mold came the Firestone 120x48x68 tires that would support the…
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Amazon to Increase Book Prices June 20, 2023 to Compensate for Printing Costs
I received an email from Amazon yesterday stating that their printing costs were increasing on June 20, 2023. I used to sell my book at $49.95 per copy. At that cost, I made around $4.73 per copy in the U.S. However, after June 20th, I would have made $0.17 per copy. I increased the cost…
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Sno-Train on Display with Marston Mats
The first iteration of Pierced Steel Planking (PSP), or Marston Mats began in 1941. Approximately 35 miles north of Fort Bragg, NC, USA, Gen. H. H. “Hap” Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces visited Marston, NC to witness a 3,000 foot long by 150 foot wide Marston Strip used as a runway. The steel…
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Augustin “Marty” Martinez and his Ties to LeTourneau’s Overland Trains
Augustin “Marty” Martinez has had more hands-on time with Overland Trains story than any one individual. He was the primary Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in charge of the Sno-Freighter’s recovery after it caught fire and was immobilized deep in the Yukon. His documentation, slides, and personal stories of these events adds significant depth to our events…