Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Backyard railroad my dad built entirely from found junk. He built this in about 1990 and it has been going strong ever since. Used mainly to transport firewood to the backyard pile, it has also been pressed into service to move some pretty heavy steel items as well. As kids he would con us into helping move firewood because it was so much fun to push each other around and down the slight incline.
Construction consists of 2" channel iron and a little but of plate steel for cart frame, 1-1/4" ntp pipe for axles turning on 1"ntp pipe for "bearings", galvanized nails for "axle retainers," axles welded directly to 8" drum brake drums for wheels, removable "hopper" frame made from steel "t-post" fence posts and lining is galvanized steel roofing/siding tin, 18" gauge rails made from steel "t-post" fence posts, "ties" and rail cuplings made from same posts or reebar or whatever...
Rail sections are 8-10' long and include turns and even a switch. They are easily moved around to different parts of the yard as needed. Found lumber serves as shims or temporary "roadbed." Derailments are not uncommon given the temporary nature of the rail placement, but not impossible to remedy as it only takes another fence post to lever the cart back on the track.
NOTE! this video or audio may not be reproduced or sampled without my express, written permission. Top 10 lists and other compilations are not "fair use"! More information on copyright and fair use as related to YouTube: goo.gl/8NDLUV
Backyard railroad my dad built entirely from found junk. He built this in about 1990 and it has been going strong ever since. Used mainly to transport firewood to the backyard pile, it has also been pressed into service to move some pretty heavy steel items as well. As kids he would con us into helping move firewood because it was so much fun to push each other around and down the slight incline.
Construction consists of 2" channel iron and a little but of plate steel for cart frame, 1-1/4" ntp pipe for axles turning on 1"ntp pipe for "bearings", galvanized nails for "axle retainers," axles welded directly to 8" drum brake drums for wheels, removable "hopper" frame made from steel "t-post" fence posts and lining is galvanized steel roofing/siding tin, 18" gauge rails made from steel "t-post" fence posts, "ties" and rail cuplings made from same posts or reebar or whatever...
Rail sections are 8-10' long and include turns and even a switch. They are easily moved around to different parts of the yard as needed. Found lumber serves as shims or temporary "roadbed." Derailments are not uncommon given the temporary nature of the rail placement, but not impossible to remedy as it only takes another fence post to lever the cart back on the track.
NOTE! this video or audio may not be reproduced or sampled without my express, written permission. Top 10 lists and other compilations are not "fair use"! More information on copyright and fair use as related to YouTube: goo.gl/8NDLUV
