Return visit to the Heritage Center at the Yuma Proving Ground

This display gives information about the work of Yuma Proving Ground - "Ordnance Proof and Acceptance Testing".
"Just as lessons learned from WWII pointed to the importance of test and evaluation for developing new items, the war in Korea pointed out the importance of testing production items. The failure of much of the ordnance in the early days of the war indicated a problem with munitions. It seemed that they were degrading while in storage.
"Yuma would not only become the test facility for proof and acceptance testing of munitions, but would develop test regimens for munitions in various storage areas. From the desert heat to the arctic cold and the unique environment of the tropics, all production munitions would be thoroughly tested.
"To this day, ordnance proof and acceptance testing is a bread and butter mission for Yuma's various test facilities."

This was a newspaper article inside the Heritage Center about a vehicle outside. The article on the left is from 1962 when the vehicle arrived for testing: "Overland Train Arrives For Checkout By Transportation Test Activity" and indicates that the price of the Overland Train in 1962 was $2 million. The article on the right is about the 1999 return of the vehicle to the YPG to be on display.

"Army's New Gas-Turbined Overland Train, believed to be the world's longest (572 feet) rubber tired vehicle, is pictured on the testing grounds of its manufacturer, R. G. LeTourineau, Inc., Longview, Tex. The huge 13-unit train is designed to provide maximum mobility and high cargo carrying capacity in remote, undeveloped areas, such as polar and desert regions, where supply routes are long, fuel supplies scarce, and roads non-existent. It can deliver as much cargo as a fleet of 60 2.5 ton trucks, yet requires a crew of only six men."

Information on a display at the Heritage center indicated: The Overland Train Mk IIThe Overland Train MK II is a multi-car, rubber-tired, logistical cargo carrier for transporting military cargoes over adverse terrain when operating in the climactic extremes encountered in blogal re-supply operations. The "train" consisted of 13 units; the Control Car (seen parked outside the museum), 2 power generating cars, and 10 cargo cars. In order to extend its range, one of the cargo cars could be converted to a fuel tanker car. Stretching over 565 feet in length, it was the largest rubber tired vehicle ever built.
Each wheel was powered by its own electric motor, a design trademark of inventor R. G. LeTourneau. The control car was fully self-contained for a crew of six men to operate the train. It could haul up to 150 tons of cargo.
Tested at YPG during 1961-62, it was impressive in its capabilities.

Is Dwayne trying to push it? Or just keep it from rolling?

Those tires are 10' tall! I wonder if FMCA's Michelin Tire program would cover replacing those?!?!?

 We enjoyed our return trip to the Yuma Proving Ground Heritage Center. We also re-visited the Cactus Cafe and had another delicious lunch.