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https://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=velocipede&fa=displayed%3Aanywhere&sp=1
never but --here is what I ran down
Edited by - Tractor1 on 08/10/2024 10:18:15
I recall my mammy telling us about them 'way back, but I don't think I've ever seen one ... otoh, I haven't been frequenting railroad museums lately. 
A velocipede was an early type bicycle with a very large front wheel and a very small back wheel The pedals were attached directly to the front wheel. Some had front wheels over four feet in diameter which required the seat to also be about four feet from the ground with a step built onto the frame so you could get your butt up to the seat. You had to be athletic just to get on the things. A friend of mine from many years ago had one. He was in his fifties, out of shape, with a big belly, but he could just step up on it and pedal away like it was easy. It wasn't. He told me it was a "High Boy" model.
Looks like the female riders could be in for a major clothing entanglement ?
That one is the “railroad velocipede” , rather than the “penny farthing” type.
(in Canuckland we say railway,, neighbo(u)rs to the south say railroad…)
Edited by - chuckv97 on 08/10/2024 15:50:17
Yes.
About a decade back I came across a couple of dudes humping their butts on a double velocipede ... maybe Wadena, SK .... or Lanigan, SK. ... or ???
I remember people in my parent's generation that would use that term to describe a substandard automobile instead of 'jalopy' or the modern day 'beater'.
My grandfather Henry (he of the frozen nosedrip fame) referred to my tricycle as a velocipede.
Nothing to do with railways; simply based on the Latin roots of "velo-" for swift and "ped-" for foot.
Not to change the subject, just add a point of interest. In the Philippines, strapped for jobs, many entrepreneurs build homemade hand cars or something of some facsimile that can easily be lifted on and off existing railroad tracks. Knowing the train schedules, they make a little money as a railroad taxicab for those who care to ride. There's no telling what vehicle they start with. Just sharing a point of interest here.
Interesting video ^^ Elmo, Thanks.
To continue with not changing the subject, 'way back I was a summer student in N. MB .... about as far from Manila [literally and figuratively] as one could be. Our work site was along the Lynn Lake line north of The Pas, and "everybody" knew the train schedule .... north on Sun., Tues., Thurs.. / south on Mon., Wed.. and Fri. [although there were many "permanent slow orders," and the train ran late more often than not]. Since everybody knew the schedules, and the train had already gone that day, one of our technicians left the Pas for camp in the gas car ...... got about 3 or four miles out and "...WTF is this??? ..." a train coming at him around the bend. He was able to stop and get off the gas car unharmed .... the gas car wasn't quite as lucky. After that the boss made sure everybody called dispatch in the Pas for every trip ... wouldn't do to have a "work special" appearing unannounced. 
The more things change the more they stay the same????
Not a velocipede, but....
"Woman riding a very early scooter. 1916."
[From Gardening Tips >> my Facebook >> BHO.]
RE: "Woman riding a very early scooter, 1916."
This was probably conceived as the only appropriate style of motorcycle for the daring young women of the day.
(Forerunner of the helmet? Lol! )
