Lonesome Truck

by Robert Bales

Title

Lonesome Truck

Artist

Robert Bales

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

This is another presentation of the same old truck that I have been taking for many years. You may want to go back and see the changes over the years.
Every time I go by the Schellbourne Station a little distance from Eli, Nevada I need to stop and take a look at this old truck. Each year it seems like it becomes a little more rustic along with the old buildings. The first time I found it a small winch was on the bed, but now you can see it is gone.
Schellbourne was once a Pony Express Station which grew into a mining town of 300. Today it is a very well preserved ghost town on a private ranch.

Schellbourne became a mining camp in 1871 but only after the Schell Creek Station that served both the Pony Express and the Overland Stage both ceased operations thereby eliminating the need for the Schell Creek station. By fall of 1872, Schellbourne had a population of about 100. A townsite was laid out that included five saloons, a Wells-Fargo office, two blacksmith shops, three stores, two restaurants, two lodging houses, and two law firms. During the summer of 1872, the Schellbourne boom reached its peak. Close to 400 residents were crowded onto the flatlands around the old Pony Express station. Schellbournes future looked rosy until rich strikes were made at Cherry Creek, directly across Steptoe Valley. This stifled the Schellbourne boom and drained most of its residents. By 1881, Schellbourne still had a population of 85, most of whom were staying in hopes of a revival of the mines. Unfortunately for the town, the early 1880s ended all serious mining activity forcing virtually all the businesses to leave town. Schellbourne has enjoyed a quiet and serene existence for more than a hundred years. While never abandoned, the town has not had more than 25 residents since the early 1900s. Schellbourne is a must see for the ghost town enthusiast.

The Ford Model TT is a truck made by the Ford Motor Company. It was based on the Ford Model T, but with a heavier frame and rear axle, giving it a rating of 1 short ton (0.91 t).

The rear axle of the TT had a worm drive and crown wheel, unlike the Model T's crown wheel and pinion. The worm was located at the end of the drive shaft and above the crown wheel. The wheelbase of the Model TT was 125 inches (3,200 mm), compared to 100 inches (2,500 mm) for the Model T. It was often equipped with an accessory gearbox, such as the Ruxtell or Jumbo gearboxes, which allowed the truck to have intermediate gears between low and high, useful for hill climbing. It was often sold as a chassis with the buyer supplying the truck body as needed. Mass production with Ford produced bodies ran from 1925 to 1927, but production of the Model TT had started with the first chassis being released in 1917. In 1923, it cost $380. In 1925, a hand operated windshield wiper was added.

It was very durable for the time, but slow when compared to other trucks. With standard gearing, a speed of not more than 15 mph (24 km/h) was recommended, and with special gearing, a speed of not more than 22 mph (35 km/h) was recommended, according to Ford Dealers Data Book 1923. Standard worm gear ratio was 7.25:1, and special gearing gave a ratio of 5.17:1. Because of this, accessory catalogs offered items to help give the Model TT more power.

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November 2nd, 2014

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