The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

YamadudeXS650C

YamadudeXS650C

Central New York XS650
Top Contributor
Messages
2,721
Reaction score
11,076
Points
513
Location
Syracuse NY
It is always fascinating to discover that some innovative vehicle once existed.

Just now, I saw a video of one which I had no idea roamed the earth, and in this case, it actually roared through my neighborhood (a couple miles up the street, travelling on Cherry Valley Turnpike, or Route 20).

The Snow Cruiser was on its way from Chicago to Boston in 1939 on its way to the Antarctic !

Ultimately, it was a complete failure.

main_900.jpg

upload_2019-9-16_8-2-7.jpeg



main_900.jpg


Here it is charging through Westfield, NY, near Chautauqua Lake:


Some more detailed videos:


 
Last edited:
It is always easy to laugh at a failure such as the Snowcruiser, but it was a worthy attempt at something new. Having said that, the choice of smooth tires rather than caterpillar (i.e. tank-style) tracks or at least aggressively treaded tires is very puzzling indeed.

By the late 1930's there was plenty of experience and engineering data on vehicle design and performance in wintry environments and all of it showed that wheels are nearly useless in snow and smooth wheels are totally useless. The other problem that was clear was that the tires were pneumatic and so they would be subject to punctures on sharp-edged ice ridges etc. With only two spare tires, the longevity of the vehicle simply would not have been very good, even if it could gain traction in the snowy terrain.

Ahhh well - it is a great tale and many thanks to Dude for sharing it!

Pete
 
Last edited:
MaxPete said:
smooth wheels are totally useless.
Click to expand...
Yes, the smooth tires were a significant oversight. And they never did test it in the snow.
Admiral Byrd wanted the vehicle pronto.
Apparently, with duallies bolted onto the front axle, it did travel fairly well in reverse.

If I was on the side of the road on Route 20 in 1939 and witnessed this amazing vehicle, I might have become an engineer.
.
.
 
It makes you wonder if something like it could be created today, with modern materials, tire technology, and manufacturing techniques? A crew-served, mobile scientific research facility, capable of long-term missions.... sounds like something they oughta send to Mars!!!
 
Fascinating read..i have never heard of this vehicle until today..Cool to see color footage from 1939..it must have been enhanced later on?
A white elephant..its prolly on the bottom of the Ross Sea...A shame they just abandoned it after all the time and money expended..It sure didnt cut the mustard..
Without proper research and developement this project was doomed to fail...
 
Yamadude, If I'm not mistaken that machine went right through Skaneateles and Auburn. If you happen on the little diner just out side of Skaneateles, The Willow Glen, among the many oldtime pictures of the area I believe they have a picture someone local took of that cruiser.
 
kshansen said:
Yamadude, If I'm not mistaken that machine went right through Skaneateles and Auburn. If you happen on the little diner just out side of Skaneateles, The Willow Glen, among the many oldtime pictures of the area I believe they have a picture someone local took of that cruiser.
Click to expand...
Yup, seeing an actual old film of the Cruiser going through Skaneateles was what originally sparked my interest. A motorcycling friend posted the film to his FB page, and I shared it at my FB page. You can find it and other old films at Skaneateles Nostalgia Facebook.

...and then I studied the route it took, Route 20 across New York State, which was the main road before the Thruway (90) was built, which lead to my realization that it drove by Marietta just up the road from me. Navarino is actually the hamlet.on Rt. 20 it went through.
 
YamadudeXS650C said:
Yup, seeing an actual old film of the Cruiser going through Skaneateles was what originally sparked my interest.
Click to expand...

It must had good brakes if it made it down those hills to the east of Skan.!

I had to rebuild the engine on a Mack truck that was hauling a front end loader that ran-away coming west on 20. Believed the DOT permit had him coming down 91 from Jamesville to Pompey then west on 20. Driver said he tried to shift down but never got it in gear. Thing is the bent valves including the damage to the lifters, exploded clutch and the spiral twist of the driveshaft kind of indicated he did get it in gear, but too little too late!
 
This thread had me spending maybe a few hours trying to find a picture I knew I had saved someplace on my computer.

This was of another Antarctica machine that was a bit more successful. Wish I had also saved the email from the guy who sent me the picture as it had some details about this one and as I remember he was one of the guys who worked on and with it and also is in the picture!
29439.jpg


Anyone interested in more on these machines can read some here if this link works:
https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/stretch-d8s-in-antarctica.43294/
 
Last edited:
Back
Top