Off the Beaten Track: The Spira’s Wild Ride on America’s Forgotten Rails

It’s not every day you see a homemade electric car barreling down deserted railroad tracks in the wilds of the American West. But for Matt Spears, the thrill of invention and the lure of forgotten places collided - literally - when his quirky three-wheeled Spira took a detour off the highway and onto the rails. What followed is a tale of mishaps, upgrades, and relentless curiosity that’s capturing the imagination of rail explorers and tech tinkerers alike.

Fast Facts

• The Spira is a lightweight, three-wheel electric vehicle with foam body panels.
• Matt Spears modified his Spira to run on abandoned railroad tracks in the western U.S.
• A high-speed collision with track debris destroyed the front axle, prompting major upgrades.
• Key modifications included a 5 kW electric motor, go-kart rear axle, custom wheels, and new brakes.
• The upgraded Spira successfully traversed remote rails and a precarious trestle bridge.

At first glance, the Spira looks more like a souped-up pedal car than a contender for off-road adventure. Its foam panels and compact, three-wheel frame are designed for efficiency and safety on city streets - not the rugged, unpredictable world of abandoned railways. But Spears, a DIY devotee, saw potential where others saw limitations.

The adventure began with a bold run down a forgotten track, where the Spira’s lightness and agility proved both an asset and a liability. An unexpected obstruction at speed shredded the front axle and left the little car battered but not beaten. For Spears, this was less a disaster than an opportunity for reinvention.

He swapped out the rear axle for a sturdier go-kart model, custom-fit new wheels, and overhauled the braking system to handle the stresses of rail riding. The heart of the transformation was a 5 kW electric motor, boosting the Spira’s muscle for longer, faster journeys. While custom wheels were planned for higher speeds, supply chain hiccups forced Spears to improvise with repurposed parts - a hallmark of the homebrew engineering spirit.

The results were electrifying. The modified Spira not only survived the rails, it excelled, rolling further into the wilderness than ever before, even daring a questionable trestle bridge. Spears’ exploits highlight the intersection of niche electric vehicles, maker culture, and the enduring allure of exploring forgotten infrastructure. His journey draws attention to the risks and rewards of pushing DIY projects into uncharted territory, where every mile is a test of both machine and maker.

As Spears continues to document his rail-riding escapades, the Spira’s story reminds us that innovation often starts with a willingness to go off track - sometimes quite literally. For those who dare to imagine new uses for old technology, the adventure is only just beginning.

WIKICROOK

• Axle: An axle is a central shaft for rotating wheels or gears, vital for movement. In cybersecurity, it may refer to a central supporting component.
• Trestle: A trestle is a structural framework, often used in bridges or railroads, important for physical and infrastructure security in cybersecurity contexts.
• Drivetrain: Drivetrain is the system transmitting power from a vehicle's engine to its wheels. In cybersecurity, it highlights the need to secure automotive digital systems.
• kW (Kilowatt): A kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts and is used to measure power consumption, especially in data centers for efficient and secure operations.
• Foam Body Panels: Foam body panels are lightweight vehicle exteriors made from foam, offering impact absorption, reduced weight, and improved safety in automotive and aerospace industries.