Colorado Uintah Railway Company Train With Mack Truck 1915 Real Photo Postcard

This postcard features an early Mack truck chassis adapted for railway service, likely operating on the Uintah Railway Company's lines in Colorado during the early 20th century. Mack Brothers Company, established in the early 1900s, was renowned for its robust and durable vehicles, often customized for specific industrial applications. The detailed specifications noted on the postcard—its ability to handle steep grades, sharp curves, and its passenger capacity and speed—underscore its design as a purpose-built rail motor car for challenging narrow-gauge mountain environments.

Such rail motor cars, often called "doodlebugs," were crucial for short-line railroads like the Uintah Railway. The Uintah was a narrow-gauge line known for its exceptionally steep grades and tight curves as it traversed the rugged terrain of eastern Utah and western Colorado, primarily serving gilsonite mines. These specialized vehicles provided efficient transport for personnel, maintenance crews, and light freight, offering a more economical alternative to full steam trains for services where traffic volume was low or flexibility was key.