Business Plan
Post-Restoration Plans: Bringing the Historic McKeen Railcar Around the Country
Once the restoration of our historic railcar is complete, our journey will truly begin. Our mission is not just to preserve this artifact but to share its history with communities nationwide.
1. Authentic Restoration
The railcar will be restored to its original factory appearance with the standard McKeen factory paint job. To maintain versatility, we will omit permanent lettering and use magnetic or vinyl lettering instead, with real gold leaf to imposter as any McKeen car that no longer exists.
2. Traveling Customizable Showcase
We will create characteristic additions, such as a larger gas headlamp, a steam locomotive headlamp, a rear cow catcher, and undercarriage toolboxes. These will help us portray specific cars from the past to help sell the effect.
For example, we can represent a Southern Pacific motor car at a California museum or a Union Pacific motor car in Nebraska. McKeen cars were once found all over the country, and their unique design and innovative features make them universally interesting, regardless of region.
3. Educational Outreach and Community Engagement
During our travels, we will offer rides on the McKeen car, providing educational lessons on how the Designer developed his innovations through problem solving, and how his designs affected everything from railcars, buses, trolleys, automobiles, and all tying back to acceptance of Steel as a material reliable for large construction.
Key features include:
- All-Steel Car Construction with Semi-Monocoque Body
- Internal Combustion Motive Power
- Early Aerodynamic Design
- Simplified Roofline (No Clerestory) for Strength and Efficiency
- Drop-Center Vestibule for Accessibility and Reduced Weight
- Strong Round Windows for Enhanced View and Structural Integrity
Our goal is to immerse visitors in the history and ingenuity of the McKeen Motor Car, celebrating its legacy through hands-on experiences, storytelling, and an authentic ride on a rare Experiment turned production Vehicle.
Please consider donating to help our project!
