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Here is my new toy.......no, not a train but a lot of fun anyway.  It is a M274 mechanical "mule" used extensively in Vietnam by the Marine Corps and Army to carry light cargo and ammunition in outlying fire bases and and air fields.  It was designed to fit into a Huey helicopter and transported to areas larger vehicles could not go.  It has 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, high/low range 3 speed transmission with an air cooled engine.  This thing is a hoot to drive.  It can go almost anywhere and has a snorkel for forging streams.  Oh, and because it is a flatbed vehicle, there is room for a nice O gauge oval of track. 

 

mule6

 

Tex

Steve

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The engine is located in the rear hidden under the bed with an access hatch.  They designed the mule for easy maintenance in the field.  I found the mule in southern Oregon and it had some issues.  I pulled the engine out in about 30 minutes and had to re-build shifter and steering column.  The engine is now completely re-built and runs like a Maytag.  Will post more pix soon.  I haven't seen one of these on a flat car! 

 

Yes, O gauge Army train only on this baby.

 

TEX

Steve

Originally Posted by Arthur P. Bloom:

Another nice feature is that the steering wheel flips over to allow the operator to walk along behind the mule, steering from the walking position.

 

I imagine that the Eastern Division would not have a sense of humor when you try to use it in the Blue Hall to carry all your loot.

 

Yes, the steering column folds forward where all the operating controls are.  There is a manual choke, throttle, hand break and shifter all in front.  In Vietnam they would fully load the mule with no driver or seat and walk the mule backwards in low gear.  This comes in handy when loading into back of pickup truck or trailer.  Mule would have been great for hauling "trunk" finds in parking lot alright. 

 

I think there will be a military train of some sort running on the mule around Christmas time.  Good idea!

 

TEX

Steve

Hello TexSpecial.........

 

does this thing have blown(6-71 huffer) on a big block chevy or ford or mopar that goes 0 to 100 in few seconds and .50 cal. machine gun on the back with 10,000 rounds of bullets in large metal box and flame thrower to boot ?  I KNOW lot of guys would love that LOL SMILE 

 

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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