The Rail Rover Conversions
Rail Rovers
The rail conversion was tried on a number of occasions. One of the first "Rail Rovers" used flanged railway wheels in-place of the road wheels. This was intended for inspection and light shunting. Trials showed that shunting was impractical due to the size of the rolling stock compared to the Land Rover. The flanged wheels later had a rubber composite 'tyre' for better traction, but the project never really gained interest from the projected customer base, and was quietly dropped.
A Rail Rover under test.
Rail Rover
Rail Rover
Road/Rail Rovers
More successful, were the combined road/rail conversions. These vehicles demonstrated quick acceleration when compared to small conventional locomotives. Intended to move personnel and small equipment, the main problem was that the Land Rover was often too small to trip the train detection circuitry, hence these kinds of conversions saw limited use in the UK.
Early Road/Rail Rover. Note the wheel arch extensions.
Permaquip built some Road/Rail Land Rover Defenders. Using the "Hy-Rail" conversion, the vehicles can be quickly made to run on railway tracks. They can tow two loaded trailers and travel at 15mph on the rails. The vehicles carry standard British Rail safety devices including front and rear lighting and an air horn.
Permaquip Road/Rail Rover.
Aquarius Road/Rail Rover.
Network Rail Road/Rail prepared Defender Hi-Cap.
Avon Fire & Rescue's Road/Rail Rover.
Amey Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
Aquarius Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
Aquarius Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
First Engineering Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
Newag Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
Permaquip Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
ETI cherry picker Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
ETI cherry picker Road/Rail Rover. Pic by Alan Morris.
If you can help us out with more information about the various road/rail conversions available, please do so. You can contact us at admin@lr-mad.co.uk.
The Minerva Rail Rover
This Minerva was used by "STIB" (Société des Transports Inter Bruxellois - Brussels Inner City Transport) in order to service their tramway network.
Pictures © and information by Neele Wajnsztok.
Santana Land Rover Rail and Road/Rail conversions
This Road/Rail conversion is based on the Santana Land Rover 109. It features a Hydraulic powered boom with an access platform on the top. When stowed, the platform rests on the roof of the vehicle, and the platform sides fold flat for road use.
Santana Land Rover Road/Rail conversion
Santana Land Rover Road/Rail conversion.
Note the wheel arch extensions to cover the wider track of the rear wheels.
This Santana model 2000 forward control rail conversion was spotted in Port de Soller on the Ferrocaria de Soller, by Keith Tanner back in 2009.
Santana 2000 FC rail conversion
Santana 2000 FC rail conversion
