HighwaY-RAILway is the correct designation originally given to the new breed of inspection cars that came along in the 1950's. Equipped with a moveable set of wheels made by Fairmont, one of the biggest makers of track motor cars, they were a major improvement since they could easily change from rail to highway for greater flexibility. While early inspection cars were used only by higher ranking officials, the hy-rail equipped vehicles also replaced track motor cars "jiggers" used by sectionmen and took on new duties. In later years, trucks of all types, larger and heavier were developed, some big enough to haul freight cars and thus replace costlier work trains. This was all part of the mechanization of track work and other maintenance.

This beautifully restored Hy-Rail vehicle is a 1958 Pontiac station wagon ex Central Vermont 26.
In the collection of the Bytown Railway Society. It came from Canadian National in 1967.
Ottawa August 27, 2003 Matt Cummins

Inspection Cars
Early rail automobiles