Switcher Saturday November 4, 2023

Photos/videos show my MTH Premier model (20-20373-1) of Providence & Worcester Railroad GP38 #2007 delivered in 2014 at MSRP $439.95. Like all my MTH diesels with PS3, it is very smooth at low speeds – shown running conventionally at 12 scale miles-per-hour in the videos.

MTH made two P&W caboose models but I haven’t been able to find either one, so I run my P&W engines with an unlettered Northeastern-style caboose.

The Providence & Worcester Railroad was chartered in 1844 and began operation between its namesake cities in 1847. It remained independent until 1888, was leased by the New Haven Railroad from 1892 to 1968, and became independent again after the New Haven was merged into Penn Central. The P&W is now owned by Genesee & Wyoming, a Class 2 railroad operating 612 miles of track in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, with trackage rights in New York.

I took the photograph of P&W locomotives #2006 and #2010 at New Haven, Connecticut in 2017. The MTH model, paint scheme, and colors closely match #2006 except for the ditch lights.

MELGAR

The cutest:

That's the LC+2.0 Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (B.E.D.T.) steam switcher hauling the poultry car and 2 Bronx Zoo giraffe cars.

Wishing you all a Happy Switcher Saturday. Arnold

Bob - Great story about the significance of Fizziwig in your life.  The coincidence to me is I met my future wife in a very similar way and we also married in 1989.

No pictures of switchers for me this week.  It’s been a long hard week.  My Dad suddenly passed last Saturday at 86.  I’ve been out of town planning and having his funeral.  He gave me his love of trains and we talked about them every week. He was supposed to go with me and my son to York a couple of weeks ago, but he canceled at the last minute due to not feeling well.  We had no idea he only had one week left with us at the time.

He did stay at our house the Thursday before he passed and we enjoyed together the progress on my layout and York finds.  That was a blessing.  Unfortunately he passed before he could enjoy the items we found at York for him.  Now I have the very unpleasant task of disassembling his layout.

One post I have really been looking forward to in this thread was when I finally get the custom run RF&P SW1200 by Railking.  Tiny Tim’s Trains is offering it in 2 road numbers.  My Dad was excited for one also, so I ordered both, one for each of us.  It’s been over a year since we ordered them and my Dad would ask every month,  when they were expected to arrive.  I received notice just a few days after his passing that they’re off the ship and heading to dealers.  I will still post them when they arrive at home, but it will be very bittersweet.

Sorry to be a downer in your thread, but it’s good therapy for me to share my thoughts on a topic I loved and shared with my hero.

Thanks for pulling us out of the yard today, Bob! For today's SWSAT, I put my Lionel NYC ALCo 0-6-0 saddle tank to work hauling my new MTH NYC crane car and tender set:

I was really happy to get these two matching cars NIB for a reasonable total price from two sellers on you-know-where. I just got the lighted tender yesterday. How's that for JIT inventory management?

jstraw, so sorry for your lose.  It's always hard but even more so when unexpected.  Maybe seeing both RF&P engines on the same layout will be bittersweet at first but in time I believe they will come to be a reminder of all the good times yo had with him.

@jstraw124 posted:

Bob - Great story about the significance of Fizziwig in your life.  The coincidence to me is I met my future wife in a very similar way and we also married in 1989.

No pictures of switchers for me this week.  It’s been a long hard week.  My Dad suddenly passed last Saturday at 86.  I’ve been out of town planning and having his funeral.  He gave me his love of trains and we talked about them every week. He was supposed to go with me and my son to York a couple of weeks ago, but he canceled at the last minute due to not feeling well.  We had no idea he only had one week left with us at the time.

He did stay at our house the Thursday before he passed and we enjoyed together the progress on my layout and York finds.  That was a blessing.  Unfortunately he passed before he could enjoy the items we found at York for him.  Now I have the very unpleasant task of disassembling his layout.

One post I have really been looking forward to in this thread was when I finally get the custom run RF&P SW1200 by Railking.  Tiny Tim’s Trains is offering it in 2 road numbers.  My Dad was excited for one also, so I ordered both, one for each of us.  It’s been over a year since we ordered them and my Dad would ask every month,  when they were expected to arrive.  I received notice just a few days after his passing that they’re off the ship and heading to dealers.  I will still post them when they arrive at home, but it will be very bittersweet.

Sorry to be a downer in your thread, but it’s good therapy for me to share my thoughts on a topic I loved and shared with my hero.

John - sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences. Never easy to lose a parent, no matter how old you are.

@jstraw124 posted:

Bob - Great story about the significance of Fizziwig in your life.  The coincidence to me is I met my future wife in a very similar way and we also married in 1989.

No pictures of switchers for me this week.  It’s been a long hard week.  My Dad suddenly passed last Saturday at 86.  I’ve been out of town planning and having his funeral.  He gave me his love of trains and we talked about them every week. He was supposed to go with me and my son to York a couple of weeks ago, but he canceled at the last minute due to not feeling well.  We had no idea he only had one week left with us at the time.

He did stay at our house the Thursday before he passed and we enjoyed together the progress on my layout and York finds.  That was a blessing.  Unfortunately he passed before he could enjoy the items we found at York for him.  Now I have the very unpleasant task of disassembling his layout.

One post I have really been looking forward to in this thread was when I finally get the custom run RF&P SW1200 by Railking.  Tiny Tim’s Trains is offering it in 2 road numbers.  My Dad was excited for one also, so I ordered both, one for each of us.  It’s been over a year since we ordered them and my Dad would ask every month,  when they were expected to arrive.  I received notice just a few days after his passing that they’re off the ship and heading to dealers.  I will still post them when they arrive at home, but it will be very bittersweet.

Sorry to be a downer in your thread, but it’s good therapy for me to share my thoughts on a topic I loved and shared with my hero.

Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father. Perhaps you will be able to incorporate some special features of his layout into yours as a way to honor his memory, his love of trains and his love for you and your family.

Deepest condolences @jstraw124 . My most cherished trains are those I inherited from my Dad and Grandfather.

Here is my RS3 in an MTA color scheme that I fondly remember seeing on our many trips to watch trains at the sunny side yards when I was a kid -

John, I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your father.  I feel your pain because I lost my mother at age 101 a month ago.  I also share meeting my wife through a friend, like you and Bob.  We got married in 1972.

I can’t think of a better way to “lift our spirits” than participating in SwSat, so let’s keep rolling!  This is week three of my “Western switcher” series, with one to go.  Today’s featured switcher is MTH Railking Santa Fe NW2 no. 2419 with a local freight.

BTW, can anyone explain the difference between EMD’s SW and NW series?  They’re all end cab units, some with one stack, some with two (a difference in horsepower, I assume), but no other significant differences I can see.  Thanks.

John

John, I wish you peace and healing.

@jstraw124 posted:

Bob - Great story about the significance of Fizziwig in your life.  The coincidence to me is I met my future wife in a very similar way and we also married in 1989.

No pictures of switchers for me this week.  It’s been a long hard week.  My Dad suddenly passed last Saturday at 86.  I’ve been out of town planning and having his funeral.  He gave me his love of trains and we talked about them every week. He was supposed to go with me and my son to York a couple of weeks ago, but he canceled at the last minute due to not feeling well.  We had no idea he only had one week left with us at the time.

He did stay at our house the Thursday before he passed and we enjoyed together the progress on my layout and York finds.  That was a blessing.  Unfortunately he passed before he could enjoy the items we found at York for him.  Now I have the very unpleasant task of disassembling his layout.

One post I have really been looking forward to in this thread was when I finally get the custom run RF&P SW1200 by Railking.  Tiny Tim’s Trains is offering it in 2 road numbers.  My Dad was excited for one also, so I ordered both, one for each of us.  It’s been over a year since we ordered them and my Dad would ask every month,  when they were expected to arrive.  I received notice just a few days after his passing that they’re off the ship and heading to dealers.  I will still post them when they arrive at home, but it will be very bittersweet.

Sorry to be a downer in your thread, but it’s good therapy for me to share my thoughts on a topic I loved and shared with my hero.

Sorry about your dad, God Speed! Mark

@jstraw124 John- so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I'm sure you will keep his memory alive with your trains. I also got my love of trains from my dad. We will look forward to seeing the new SW1200's when they arrive.

@Steam Crazy John- my condolences to you as well. 101 is amazing.

May God bless you both.

Bob

Jstraw, Very sorry for your loss.  I know how it feels, I lost my father 10 years ago this month.             Take care and god bless,   Ray

John,

My condolences on the loss of your father.  Remember, you have a second family here on the OGR Forum.  We are here for you.

Tom

@jstraw124- Condolences...very sorry to hear about your Dad.  I think I would agree with coach Joe, the first time you run those  Railking SW's will be bittersweet, but eventually they will remind you of the great times you had with your Dad and your mutual love of trains.  God Bless.

For my input today, here are a couple of shots of my Kline Alco Santa Fe S2 pulling a Lionel PW freight.  Kline made these guys with 2 motors and despite their smaller size they pull like mad!!

Best wishes, hope your weekend is going well.

Don

jstraw - My sincere heartfelt condolences on the unexpected loss of your dad.  May you find peace in the memories you have of your father as time unfolds.    It's wonderful that he passed on his love of trains to you and that you both had so many fulfilling  moments together sharing your combined love of this great hobby.  

steam crazy -  My heart goes out to you as well.  So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom.  101 is certainly a long life.  May your memories of her bring you tranquility and peace.  

@jstraw124 posted:

No pictures of switchers for me this week.  It’s been a long hard week.  My Dad suddenly passed last Saturday at 86.  I’ve been out of town planning and having his funeral.  He gave me his love of trains and we talked about them every week. He was supposed to go with me and my son to York a couple of weeks ago, but he canceled at the last minute due to not feeling well.  We had no idea he only had one week left with us at the time.

He did stay at our house the Thursday before he passed and we enjoyed together the progress on my layout and York finds.  That was a blessing.  Unfortunately he passed before he could enjoy the items we found at York for him.  Now I have the very unpleasant task of disassembling his layout.

Sorry for your loss.

Peter

@Steam Crazy posted:

John, I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your father.  I feel your pain because I lost my mother at age 101 a month ago.  

Sorry for your loss.

Peter

John,

Yours has been a sad parting but I envy you the years you had to share this hobby with your father.  You have been blessed.  Enjoy the memories and look forward to the day when "the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more..."

Good afternoon fellow switcher fans!!  I'm really digging everyone's posts!!  Thanks Bob for being yard master and getting us rolling today   Great story about how you met your wife  The Fezziwig cars have such wonderful charm!  Very cool!

Today on the Free State Junction Railway company photographer I.C. Thrulens has been out and about scouring the FSJR property this week.  Of course his trusty eye has once again caught switchers at work.  

Here we see a B&O SW9 and GP9 consist during a crew change.  Relief engineer Scamper Loggins, about to enter the SW9 cab, turns to off duty engineer Claude Wingo as Wingo yells while waving " Check under the seat box!  I left you a bottle of home brew for after you get off your shift!"   Meanwhile a Pennsy A5 pulls a short train through Butler Junction.  

Pennsy A5 rounds the bend at Butler Junction.  I.C. took this shot from PB Tower using his new telephoto lens.  

SW9 and GP 9 consist makes its' way through the Brewtown area of Patsburg.  IC used the FSJR CEO's office balcony to get this shot ... being that the CEO was not in his office this morning.

Two GP9s lead a long mixed freight out of Southwest Tunnel.

@jstraw124 posted:

No pictures of switchers for me this week.  It’s been a long hard week.  My Dad suddenly passed last Saturday at 86.

One post I have really been looking forward to in this thread was when I finally get the custom run RF&P SW1200 by Railking.  ...  My Dad was excited for one also, so I ordered both, one for each of us.

I will still post them when they arrive at home, but it will be very bittersweet.

@jstraw124,

Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing and that he didn't get to see the new RF&P SW1200.  I look forward to seeing your post because I know it will be a special engine to you.

MELGAR

In  a nod to MELGAR's post today showing those great looking Providence and Worcester locomotives, I'm posting this video of P&W locomotives on the point of a freight train as they travel past the Union Station in Worcester.  Additionally here are pics of the stations exterior and interior. At one time this station served the Boston and Albany, New Haven, and Boston & Maine.  Presently it serves AMTRAK and MBTA commuter trains.   Video is not shown in body of post and can be accessed by clicking below.

I shot the video and photos when I visited a custom trumpet maker who lives in Worcester back in the fall of 2021.  As much as I love all things trumpet, I couldn't resist exploring some railroad history when in this fine city.  

@trumpettrain,

Patrick,

Great pictures and video.

A long time ago, I was a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute - about a mile from the station. That was before I wised-up and returned to model railroading.

The station is beautiful. The two original towers were taken down due to structural concerns. New ones that matched the originals were constructed and installed when the station was renovated.

MELGAR

Happy Switcher Saturday,

Posted below on my old layout is an early MTH PS-2 B&M 0-8-0 Steamer.

Have a great day, Ray

Railking

@Steam Crazy posted:

BTW, can anyone explain the difference between EMD’s SW and NW series?  They’re all end cab units, some with one stack, some with two (a difference in horsepower, I assume), but no other significant differences I can see.  Thanks.

John

John- found this courtesy of American Rails.com

https://www.american-rails.com/e292.html

Electro-Motive's NW series entered production in 1937 as a successor to the NC, a switcher sporting a cast frame.

At the time some railroads still preferred this manufacturing method which had long been employed in the construction of steam locomotives.  However, welded frames were proven to be stronger and cheaper to produce.

The NW originally referring to:

• Nine-hundred horsepower
• Welded frame.

While Electro-Motive produced a wide range of highly successful switchers such as the NW2, SW1200, SW1500, and SW9 the series can be traced back to a group of early six and nine hundred horsepower variants built during the latter 1930s.

This included the SC, SW, NC, and NW manufactured with either cast or welded frames.  For example, SC referred to Six hundred horsepower, Cast frame while SW denoted Six hundred horsepower, Welded frame.

Bob

@Jstraw124…John, I add my condolences onbthe loss of your beloved dad. It is always a wrenching event.
i am posting a photo taken this morning of my son and grandson by my O gauge layout. A reminder of the connection we all have with our train hobby from generation to generation. A source of joy and eventually fond remembrance to be treasured always.
Peace  to you, John.

Recovering from surgery, so some oldies.  My steam shifters.

MTH A5.  The PRR A5 was the largest 0-4-0 shifter made.

K-Line B6sb. Pennsy's primary shifter from 1916 to the late 40s, when diesels took over.  Lasted until 1959.

Weaver C1.  The PRR C1 was the heaviest two-cylinder 0-8-0 switcher ever produced.  Expensive to operate, and had a tendency to go to ground.  A few did last until 1953 doing inter-yard work.

3rd Rail H6sb.  The H6 was Pennsy's mainline freight engine from 1901 until around 1911 when the H8/9/10 took over, and the L1 and I1 in 1914/16.  Superheated in 1920, the H6sa and H6sb ran secondary and local frieght as well as shifter duty until 1952.

Weaver H10.  Like the H6, some H10s ended their days in 1956 as a heavy shifter.  These lasted longer than the C1 because they were more reliable and cheaper to operate.

Ron - wishing you a speedy and full recovery!

@CAPPilot posted:

Recovering from surgery, so some oldies.  My steam shifters.

MTH A5.  The PRR A5 was the largest 0-4-0 shifter made.

K-Line B6sb. Pennsy's primary steam shifter from 1916 to the late 40s, lasted until 1959.

Weaver C1.  The PRR C1 was the heaviest two-cylinder 0-8-0 switcher ever produced.  Expensive to operate, and had a tendency to go to ground.  A few did last until 1953 doing inter-yard work.

3rd Rail H6sb.  The H6 was Pennsy's mainline freight engine from 1901 until around 1911 when the H8/9/10 took over, and the L1 and I1 in 1914/16.  Superheated in 1920, the H6sa and H6sb ran secondary and local frieght as well as shifter duty until 1952.

Weaver H10.  Like the H6, some H10s ended their days in 1956 as a heavy shifter.  These lasted longer than the C1 because they were more reliable and cheaper to operate.

Ron- your detailed history of the mighty PRR is great. Love your dedication to a specific period in time too.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Bob

Bob, thanks for the info on the EMD end cab switchers!  I have a better understanding of EMD’s ID system, but admit it would take a bit of study, at least for me, to fully understand it.  It’s not as straightforward as the GP, F or E series.

John

Ron, let me add my name to the list of those wishing you a speedy recovery!

John

Here's an MTH NW2 dummy unit I got off the auction site last week. Charlie

Here's a second photo of it on another part of my layout.

@CAPPilot,

Ron,

Best wishes for a fast recovery.

MELGAR

Ron,

One more wish for a speedy recovery.

David

Jstraw,

Condolences on losing your dad. There will be so many time something little will occur and the memories will come flooding back. That is how I keep the memory of my dad fresh in my  mind.
David

CAPPilot have a speedy recovery.

Mark

@CAPPilot posted:

Recovering from surgery, so some oldies.  My steam shifters.

MTH A5.  The PRR A5 was the largest 0-4-0 shifter made.

John-  Sorry for your loss.  No matter how much you anticipate the dreaded day, it’s still hard and painful.

Ron -  Best wishes for your recovery continued recovery.

Thanks everyone for the condolences and encouragement to remember the good times.  First couple of days after his passing, I didn’t want to even look at a train, but after that I was back at reading on the forum and enjoying trains, because he would have wanted me to.

For the church reception after his celebration service, we honored the request of the church to set out some of his favorite trains.  He lived next to the church and often invited Sunday school children over to his house after church to run some trains.  The kids will always remember him for his trains.

Jstraw, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m happy that you shared many things and had time to share your love of trains.
Speedy recovery Ron.
Great posts as always guys.
Andy