[fargon]

I found an article on Wikipedia that says that the biggest problems with the McKeen cars was reliability of the engines. I think that they had too many moving parts. Here is the article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKeen...ny#Motor_truck
The biggest problem they were having was trying to adapt marine engines for rail use. Also the lack of a clutch hampered operation. Internal combustion electric drive was in it infancy, and used successfully by other makers. The Denver and Rio Grande railroads Galloping Goose used a Pierce Arrow automotive power plant with success. The problem with the McKeen cars was an unreliable power plant.