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Petits Trains 2

Land Trains - Trackless Trains - Dotto Trains - Tschu-Tschu Trains


This page is under construction


 
Most forms of transport have their enthusiasts (usually male) but I have never met anyone over the age of five who claimed to be a Dotto Train fan. I would certainly not claim to be a great fan myself, since in many tourist areas they have taken the place of miniature railways. Hence nothing seems to have been published on what has become a very common form of tourist transport throughout the world. Somebody had to do it, so here is my humble homage to the 'Petit Train'. I rarely gave them a second thought until we started taking our young son on them whilst on holidays and for some reason I started taking images of them as they tried to run me over in many of the congested tourist areas of the world. Until this page these images have remained on my PC.

Definition and names:- A trackless train (or land train, parking lot tram, Dotto train, Tschu-Tschu train) is a road-going articulated vehicle used for the transport of passengers, comprising a driving vehicle pulling one or more carriages connected by drawbar couplings, in the manner of a road going railway train. Note that a Road Train refers to heavy goods vehicle trains and is not a term that should be applied, although widely used. Dotto and Tschu-Tschu are the trademark names of the two main manufacturers of these vehicles in Italy and Germany respectively. Given that the most enthusiastic operators of these vehicles are the French, it seems strange that I have not discovered a major constructor in that country - they mainly use Italian Dotto Trains.

Trackless train or land train are descriptive terms for the rubber tired road-going vehicles to distinguish them from rail mounted trains. The Tschu-Tschu train and Dotto train names stems from genericized trademarks of trackless train manufacturers, although Deltrain (Portugal), The Railroad Factory (USA), City Trains (Germany), Wattman (Canada) and STS Funtrain (Austria) also are manufacturers. Parking lot tram is a common name reflecting their use in parking lot transport. The lack of a generic name for trackless trains often leads to them being called trams, people movers or road trains. Due to cultural terminology differences, trackless train, tram and parking lot tram usages occur in North America, while land train, road train, Tschu-Tschu train and Dotto train are used in Europe. In France 'Petit Train' is used for both narrow gauge railways and trackless tourist trains. A selection of genuine railway Petits Trains will be added on a separate page.

Some of the earliest trackless trains were built in the USA for publicity or for use at international exhibitions. One of the first the first was the Fageol Auto Train, developed by Rolle B. Fageol, a prolific inventor.

The H.O.McGee Manufacturing Company built about 16 motorcar trains from 1917, all slightly different in their design. Harry O.McGee was well known in the automobile industry in the USA at that time for his unique ideas for auto body construction. They were sent out on different tours around the USA and abroad. One was the MGM trackless train which crossed from New York to Los Angeles between 1925-26 to publicise the new highway system. It later visited the UK.

It is a pet theory of mine that the European land trains developed from the lightweight narrow gauge trains built by Decauville and the like between the wars. When the little steam engines were replaced with petrol or diesel locos they were often given fake chimneys to look like steam trains. When the diesels also wore out, various French railways began to pull their railway coaches with farm tractors which were wide enough to straddle the narrow tracks. These tractors were also modified to look like steam locos. It was a small step to abandon the rails  altogether and build equivalent road coaches to emulate their Decauville ancestors. I have no evidence to back up this idea, but look at the evolution images below.

Dotto Trains are the most widely used trackless trains in Europe. The company was founded by Ivo Dotto in Castelfranco Veneto, in the Treviso region of Italy, in 1962. Ivo Dotto immediately made his mark on the market and become the world’s leading manufacturer of tourist trains. Ivo’s creations have been sold in more than fifty different countries spanning five continents. Dotto is now run by Bruna Dotto. It still designs and makes all of its trains from start to finish in Italy.





 

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Petits Trains

Land Trains - Trackless Trains - Dotto Trains - Tschu-Tschu Trains



Each image links to a larger copy which opens in a new window/tab




Pre-WW2 Trackless Trains

Fageol Auto Train

Some of the earliest trackless trains were built in the USA for publicity or for use at international exhibitions. One of the first the first was the Fageol Auto Train, developed by Rolle B. Fageol, a prolific inventor. It consisted of a small tractor pulling tour trolleys behind it at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. The vehicle was noted for its safety in that its first step was so low to the ground. One of the first land trains and also the first low-floor public transport.


Fageol Trackless Train in San Francisco for the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1915
Fageol Trackless Train in San Francisco 1915 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







H.O.McGee Trackless Trains

The H.O.McGee Manufacturing Company built about 16 motorcar trains from 1917, all slightly different in their design. Harry O.McGee was well known in the automobile industry in the USA at that time for his unique ideas for auto body construction. They were sent out on different tours around the USA and abroad. One was sold as the MGM trackless train which crossed from New York to Los Angeles between 1925-26 to promote the development of a national highway system as advocated by Herbert Hoover. It later visited Canada and the UK. The train consisted of a 'locomotive' and an observation coach, which was superbly fitted out to accommodate five staff, complete with beds and a toilet. A steam loco effect was achieved by dropping oil into the vehicle’s exhaust manifold, creating the smoke that emitted from the smokestack. The smoke was conveyed via a small pipe to the smokestack. Inside it were revolving blades, which caused the smoke to come out in puffs, instead of a steady stream.

MGM Trackless Train in the USA
MGM Trackless Train 1925 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



MGM Trackless Train in the USA
MGM Trackless Train 1925 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Crowds watch MGM Trackless Train in Guildford in its visit to the UK
Note the smoke.

MGM Trackless Train 1925 - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Another H.O.McGee Trackless Train in the USA
H.O.McGeeTrackless Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Another H.O.McGee Trackless Train in the USA
H.O.McGeeTrackless Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk







European Pre-WW2 Trackless Trains

Trackless trains were operated at various European exhibitions in the 1930s.

Postcard of an electric trackless train at Paris in 1937
Paris Exhibition 1937 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Evolution of the European Trackless Train?

It is a pet theory of mine that the European land trains developed from the lightweight narrow gauge trains built by Decauville and the like between the wars. When the little steam engines were replaced with petrol or diesel locos they were often given fake chimneys to look like steam trains. When the diesels also wore out, various French railways began to pull their railway coaches with farm tractors which were wide enough to straddle the narrow tracks. These tractors were also modified to look like steam locos. It was a small step to abandon the rails altogether and build equivalent road coaches to emulate their Decauville ancestors. I have no evidence to back up this idea, but look at the images below.



Postcard of a Decauville train at Royan
Decauville train at Royan - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a steam-outline diesel at Cap Ferret
Cap Ferret - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a steam-outline farm tractor running astride the rails and pulling Decauville railway coaches
on the Petit Train de la Cocalière at Saint-Ambroix

Petit Train de la Cocalière at Saint-Ambroix - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a steam-outline farm tractor running astride the rails and pulling Decauville railway coaches
on the Petit Train de la Cocalière at Saint-Ambroix

Petit Train de la Cocalière at Saint-Ambroix - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor running on the road at Fort Mahon
The evolution is complete?

Fort Mahon - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Early Farm Tractor-based Trackless Trains

Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Saint Jean de Monts in the Vendée
Saint-Jean-de-Monts - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Saint Jean de Monts in the Vendée
Saint-Jean-de-Monts - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Saint Jean de Monts in the Vendée
Saint-Jean-de-Monts - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Saint Jean de Monts in the Vendée
Saint-Jean-de-Monts - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Montalivet-les-Bains in the Gironde
Montalivet - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Fort Mahon
Previously a steam narrow gauge departmental train ran along the main street

Fort Mahon - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Fort Mahon
Fort Mahon - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of a primitive steam-outline farm tractor at Fort Mahon
Fort Mahon - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Dotto Trains

Dotto Trains are the most widely used trackless trains in Europe. The company was founded by Ivo Dotto in Castelfranco Veneto, in the Treviso region of Italy, in 1962. Ivo Dotto immediately made his mark on the market and become the world’s leading manufacturer of tourist trains. Ivo’s creations have been sold in more than fifty different countries spanning five continents. Dotto is now run by Bruna Dotto. It still designs and makes all of its trains from start to finish in Italy.


Dotto Train Classes
Dotto P90

The Dotto Class P90 locomotive has 6 wheels and is powered by a Perkins 50hp diesel with a Ford transmission.
Specification Sheet PDF



Dotto Class P90
Photo: © Dotto S.r.l.
Dotto Train Class P90 - Photo: ©Dotto Trains S.r.l.  - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Dotto Class P90
Photo: © Dotto S.r.l.
Dotto Train Class P90 - Photo: ©Dotto Trains S.r.l.  - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Dotto Class P90
Photo: © Dotto S.r.l.
Dotto Train Class P90 - Photo: ©Dotto Trains S.r.l.  - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Dotto Class P90
Photo: © Dotto S.r.l.
Dotto Train Class P90 - Photo: ©Dotto Trains S.r.l.  - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Dotto Trains in Service

United Kingdom

England - Bridlington Bertie

Bridlington Bertie Dotto train
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th August 2010

 Dotto train on the cliffs - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th August 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk Dotto train on the cliffs - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th August 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.ukDotto train on the cliffs - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th August 2010 - www.simplonpc.co.uk






England - Clacton-on-Sea

P90 Class Dotto train in Clacton-on-Sea
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
Clacton-on-Sea Dotto Train ©2006 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukClacton-on-Sea Dotto Train ©2006 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk







England - Cromer Road Runner

Cromer has its own 'Dotto Train' (although not I doubt that it is built by Dotto). I do not know who the manufacturer of this train is.

Official Website:- www.cromerroadtrain.co.uk - (the website is being rebuilt in March 2012)


The Cromer Road Runner
Photo: © Ian Boyle,23rd April 2011
CROMER - www.simplonpc.co.ukCROMER - www.simplonpc.co.uk







England - Littlehampton
In 2012 the unusual 'land-train-boat' Cherise ran from the Pier along the promenade as far as Norfolk park, from where one can take the miniature Littlehampton Railway train as far as Mewsbrook Park.

Postcard of an earlier Littlehampton land-train based on Thomas
LITTLEHAMPTON - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2012




Littlehampton promenade & the 'Land-Train-Boat' Cherise
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2012
LITTLEHAMPTON - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2012LITTLEHAMPTON - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2012LITTLEHAMPTON - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2012LITTLEHAMPTON - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2012







France

France - Cannes

Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department..

MR Class Dotto train at Cannes
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 29th October 2011
GRAND PRINCESS Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGRAND PRINCESS Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGRAND PRINCESS Cruise - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







France - Mandelieu-la-Napoule

Mandelieu-La Napoule is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in south-eastern France, located on the French Riviera just to the south-west of Cannes and north-east of Théoule-sur-Mer.

P90 Class Dotto train in Mandelieu-la-Napoule - le petit train des Mimosas
Mandelieu-la-Napoule Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk






France - Menton

Menton is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in south-eastern France. Situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border. Menton used the original P90 Dotto later replaced by the more powerful Muson River (MR) class

Postcard of P90 Class Dotto train in Menton
Menton Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk



MR Class Dotto train in Menton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd February 2005
Menton Dotto Train © Ian Boyle, 23rd February 2005 - www.simplonpc.co.uk






France - Nice
Nice used a fleet of the original P90 Dotto trains to run services along the Promenade des Anglais, the old town and up to the Parc du Chateau overlooking the old town and harbour. The P90s were later replaced by the more powerful Muson River (MR) class.

Postcards of P90 Class Dotto trains at the Parc du Chateau in Nice
Nice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcards of P90 Class Dotto trains near the Negresco in Nice
Nice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcards of P90 Class Dotto trains near the Hotel Meridien in Nice
Nice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.ukNice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of P90 Class Dotto train on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice
Nice Dotto Train - www.simplonpc.co.uk



MR Class Dotto train in Nice
Photos: © Ian Boyle, 18th February 2006
Nice Dotto Train ©2006  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk Nice Dotto Train ©2006  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Monaco

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco (French: Principauté de Monaco; Monégasque: Principatu de Múnegu; Italian: Principato di Monaco; Occitan: Principat de Mónegue), is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera.

 Azur Express Dotto train at Monaco
An unusual dual ticket/postcard
Dotto Trains - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Switzerland

Switzerland - Genève

P90 Class Dotto train in Genève in 2004
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th August 2004
Geneva Dotto Train ©2004  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk



MR Class Dotto train at Eaux Vives in Genève in 2005, with CGN paddle steamer Simplon behind
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2005
Geneva Dotto Train ©2005  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk



MR Class Dotto train 'steam tram' in Genève in 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2005
Geneva Dotto Train ©2005  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukGeneva Dotto Train ©2005  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Switzerland - Morges

Morges is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Vaud, located between Genève and Lausanne on the shore of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva).

P90 Class Dotto train in Morges in 2004
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 3rd August 2004
Morges Dotto Train ©2004  Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk















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