Here is a link to a video showing a three foot gauge Fairmont speeder that just arrived at the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHE_O5vQk0s
It is powered by a hit and miss engine that drives the rear wheel via a belt. To run it, somebody must first use a hand crank to start the engine. The belt is engaged by a lever, with the speed and power being controlled by both a throttle and another lever that adjusts the point of the spark. It is tricky to reverse. In order to change directions, the ignition is turned off, allowing the engine to coast. Just before the engine is completely stopped, maybe with one revolution left, the ignition is turned on again, the point lever shifted, and the engine should start running in the opposite direction.

thats pretty wild mike! cool vid! where did the saddle tank loco come from thats in the video? looks like a nice little run there.

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The ride really was wild; it almost felt like a roller coaster!
The saddle tank loco came from a steel mill in Massachusetts. It was built by Vulcan in Wilkes-Barre. It is missing some parts, but still makes a great static display. Here are a couple photos:
http://todengine.blogspot.com/2007/11/american-steel-wire-locomotive-at-cama.html

how long is their rail line? i noticed the switch setup missing points, but using movable rails, ive only seen that in mining books!

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I think it is about 1500 feet. There is a lot more rail on hand, so it may be extended someday. The switch is known as a stub switch.

boy it'd be cool to have a standard gauge speeder to take down abandoned rail beds!

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This ain't longwall... this is long hole!

Mike, that is very wild! Seems like more than 1500 feet, but it is certainly a very good run.

Miner Greg