It's SWITCHER SATURDAY 12/28/24 Edition

New York Central Alco RS-3 #8344 is pulling a train of Connecticut cars on my 10X5 layout - which is the headquarters of my New York, Trumbull, and Boston Railroad. The NYT&B is planning to offer freight service between Brooklyn, NY - Trumbull, CT - Willimantic, CT and Boston, MA. This will involve multiple changes of locomotives starting with New York Central #8344 from Brooklyn to Trumbull, New Haven Railroad #3400 between Trumbull and Willimantic, and Boston & Albany #53 from Willimantic to Boston. Definitely not an efficient way to turn a profit.

As of now the impoverished NYT&B owns only two boxcars - #777 and #52 (which is rather old). It leases CTRR #06611 from the Connecticut Railroad and it is rumored that the leased red caboose (no road number) will soon be returned to its owner and replaced by a bobber. The NYT&B sends all its freight cars to forum member @Krieglok for expert painting and lettering.

MELGAR

What a wonderful beginning to this thread, thanks to Patrick and Melgar, with their gorgeous trans and layouts.

Patrick, your short polar express train looks good. A couple of years ago one of my adult children (don’t remember which one) gave me a polar express passenger car. Never ran it because I thought it was goofy, but soon I will post a photo and video of it now that I’ve seen your little polar express train.

Melgar, I particularly like the story you told on your post about your NY Trumbull and Boston RR. And, the name of your new RR has a nice ring to it.

My contribution is the photos and video below showing an MTH PS3 Great Northern VO 1000 diesel switcher. The video shows it hauling a mixed freight of coal, oil and boxcars plus Grest Northern caboose:

“She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes . . . “

Arnold

Happy Switcher Saturday.

Maine Central's SW-9 #334 switching at the Edwards Factory today.

Hello, SwSat people!  I’ll never be up early enough to be one of the first to post on this thread -but that’s OK  - because I get to see the interesting switchers and great scenes you early birds have shown.

I’m in a Geep frame of mind this morning.  B&M GP7 no. 1555 was a MTH Premier model with PS1 I bought around 2004.  It ran well for about 15 years, but stopped while in operation and refused to move again.  My MTH technician diagnosed a tired PS1 board, replacing it with PS3 board.  I expect to get at least another 15 years of pleasure running this switcher!

John

The first duty today for the RI #818 is moving three MKT boxcars.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Gene

Good morning SwSat friends.  MTH SW1 moving a few ore cars this morning.  This engine will go to the paint shop soon, but was needed this morning for a job.  

Thank you Patrick(and others before that) that start this thread every week.  It’s my favorite one to post/follow on a regular basis.  Life gets in the way sometimes but I stop by most weeks.

Have a great day & enjoy the time running & sharing your trains.

Switchers on SWITCHER SATURDAY

Taken at the former G.A.F.B. Rome, NY

A blast from the past.......I never owned this as a kid, but I saw it demonstated in an early TM video and fell in love with it......a battery operated Marx switcher set.......

I purchasted it at York in the mid-aughts and it is just fun to watch......

Have a great and safe weekend, everyone......and, safe travels to all in this Holiday Season.

Peter

I never have been able to get it to run as smooth as this You-Tuber has and I am indebtted to him  because this video is better than anything that I have done......

Peter

https://youtu.be/Fwg6vIcF8ZY?si=dsM2c5oT9x2jY44D

Happy SWSat!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays!

My Flyerchief BEEP is done! I started this project over the summer but due to the shop foreman's never-ending HONEY-DO LIST ....... it has been sitting. Well I've been off from work since the 20th and don't go back until the 2nd, and the list has been shelved for the time being.
I installed a Lionel Flyerchief board in this engine. The board has bluetooth so I can run the engine with a Universal Remote or the apps. FC boards have electro-couplers, which Lionel didn't add to Lionchief line until the LC + version. Besides the couplers, I added directional headlights, a cab light, and marker-board lights (all LED's). The markers are on track power and the rest are controlled by the board. A 2" speaker is up under the roof of the cab.
The engine is set up so I can remove the shell and swap on other BEEP shells that I will upgrade in the future with the same lighting and sound.

The board I found is for a Great Northern GP-7 so the sounds are correct for the BEEP too!

Here's # 7084 doing what switchers get paid to do.

This was the maiden run showing the app connection and features.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Happy SWSat!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays!

My Flyerchief BEEP is done! I started this project over the summer but due to the shop foreman's never-ending HONEY-DO LIST ....... it has been sitting. Well I've been off from work since the 20th and don't go back until the 2nd, and the list has been shelved for the time being.
I installed a Lionel Flyerchief board in this engine. The board has bluetooth so I can run the engine with a Universal Remote or the apps. FC boards have electro-couplers, which Lionel didn't add to Lionchief line until the LC + version. Besides the couplers, I added directional headlights, a cab light, and marker-board lights (all LED's). The markers are on track power and the rest are controlled by the board. A 2" speaker is up under the roof of the cab.
The engine is set up so I can remove the shell and swap on other BEEP shells that I will upgrade in the future with the same lighting and sound.

The board I found is for a Great Northern GP-7 so the sounds are correct for the BEEP too!

Here's # 7084 doing what switchers get paid to do.

This was the maiden run showing the app connection and features.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Bob

Bob - What a splendid little switcher you've created here!!!  I love the sound, couplers,  and lights  That's a lot of switcher packed into a small space.  Once you complete your fleet's upgrade you could name the entire fleet the "Bobcat" class ... just sayin!    Congratulation on a job very well done!!!   Thanks for sharing!!

Bob, I'll join Patrick to congratulate you on a job well done!

John

@trumpettrain posted:

Bob - What a splendid little switcher you've created here!!!  I love the sound, couplers,  and lights  That's a lot of switcher packed into a small space.  Once you complete your fleet's upgrade you could name the entire fleet the "Bobcat" class ... just sayin!    Congratulation on a job very well done!!!   Thanks for sharing!!

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bob, I'll join Patrick to congratulate you on a job well done!

John

Thank you Patrick and John.

I'm hooked on these LC/FC upgrades. The boards are about $80.00 and the rest is frustrating at times but I'm having fun (some would say I'm crazy but......). I have 2 more projects lined up in the shop now. One will show up soon in a future SWSat!

Bob

@Genemed posted:

The first duty today for the RI #818 is moving three MKT boxcars.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Gene

“The Rock Island Line is a mighty fine line, the Rock Island Line is the road to ride . . . “

Johnny Cash

@Putnam Division posted:

I never have been able to get it to run as smooth as this You-Tuber has and I am indebtted to him  because this video is better than anything that I have done......

Peter

https://youtu.be/Fwg6vIcF8ZY?si=dsM2c5oT9x2jY44D

Adorable

@RSJB18 posted:

Happy SWSat!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays!

My Flyerchief BEEP is done! I started this project over the summer but due to the shop foreman's never-ending HONEY-DO LIST ....... it has been sitting. Well I've been off from work since the 20th and don't go back until the 2nd, and the list has been shelved for the time being.
I installed a Lionel Flyerchief board in this engine. The board has bluetooth so I can run the engine with a Universal Remote or the apps. FC boards have electro-couplers, which Lionel didn't add to Lionchief line until the LC + version. Besides the couplers, I added directional headlights, a cab light, and marker-board lights (all LED's). The markers are on track power and the rest are controlled by the board. A 2" speaker is up under the roof of the cab.
The engine is set up so I can remove the shell and swap on other BEEP shells that I will upgrade in the future with the same lighting and sound.

The board I found is for a Great Northern GP-7 so the sounds are correct for the BEEP too!

Here's # 7084 doing what switchers get paid to do.

This was the maiden run showing the app connection and features.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Bob

Great. Job Bob and great Video showing the remote control operation.

@Putnam Division posted:

I never have been able to get it to run as smooth as this You-Tuber has and I am indebtted to him  because this video is better than anything that I have done......

Peter

https://youtu.be/Fwg6vIcF8ZY?si=dsM2c5oT9x2jY44D

That was great Peter, thanks for sharing!

Happy Switch Sat!

Some pic's of my K-Line B&O Plymouth.

Take Care,

Ray

Happy New Year SWSAT!

NYC Plymouth Switcher was assigned to cutout the Railway Post Office car off the the Empire State Limited before it went into the terminal.

Here it is being moved to the US Mail platform for unloading by USPS personnel.

Bob! Your flyer chief Beep is outstanding! Strong work. Cool videos.

New switcher under the tree is an RF&P SW1200 from Railking.  Pairs nicely with her twin sister.  Still need to add spark arrestors to the new unit.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah everyone!  We still have a house full of guests over for the Holidays so here is our little B6 from the archives. Better late than never!  -

Well, this will be the last Switcher Saturday for 2024, and believe me when you review all of the beautiful switchers from the beginning of the year, it’s easy to see this is a highly featured topic. @trumpettrain, your leading us today is awesome, the Santa  reef on the rear passenger car is ready nice, Thank you and @MELGAR and @RSJB18 Bob for making our Saturdays so enjoyable. Your Tennessee  connection wishes you all a very Happy 2025….Happy New Year All!!

@RSJB18 posted:

Happy SWSat!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays!

My Flyerchief BEEP is done! I started this project over the summer but due to the shop foreman's never-ending HONEY-DO LIST ....... it has been sitting. Well I've been off from work since the 20th and don't go back until the 2nd, and the list has been shelved for the time being.
I installed a Lionel Flyerchief board in this engine. The board has bluetooth so I can run the engine with a Universal Remote or the apps. FC boards have electro-couplers, which Lionel didn't add to Lionchief line until the LC + version. Besides the couplers, I added directional headlights, a cab light, and marker-board lights (all LED's). The markers are on track power and the rest are controlled by the board. A 2" speaker is up under the roof of the cab.
The engine is set up so I can remove the shell and swap on other BEEP shells that I will upgrade in the future with the same lighting and sound.

The board I found is for a Great Northern GP-7 so the sounds are correct for the BEEP too!

Here's # 7084 doing what switchers get paid to do.

This was the maiden run showing the app connection and features.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Bob

Bob, that is quite the little gem, great job as usual ! I would put that engine in the coolness category with the 0-6-0t we have.

Happy New Year!

Gene

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope it is filled with good health and peace for all of us. I received an Ex+ Lionel Congressional Set of four cars (1955-56) from my tolerant wife. I haven’t unboxed it yet so no pics today. I have kinda reverted to my Postwar childhood at this point, and I purchase Lionel from that era now mostly.
Memories.
Enjoy the remainder of the holidays with my best wishes.

Hi folks all I can say is great stuff everyone! I hope your having a wonderful weekend!

Saw this fun display at an open house in Columbia PA today.

@Putnam Division posted:

I never have been able to get it to run as smooth as this You-Tuber has and I am indebtted to him  because this video is better than anything that I have done......

Peter

https://youtu.be/Fwg6vIcF8ZY?si=dsM2c5oT9x2jY44D

Peter,

During the afternoon cartoons there was a one minute Marx-tronic advertisement.  Couldn't find  it on YouTube but I'm sure it will show up sooner or later.

Regards,

Lou N

@Sitka posted:

Switchers on SWITCHER SATURDAY

Taken at the former G.A.F.B. Rome, NY

There was one of these in service at Lackland AFB in San António in 1973.

Lou N

@pennsyfan, @Genemed, @Leroof- thanks guys. More to come.

@leapinlarry- thank you for the kind words Larry. I've been a loyal contributor/ host since I joined the Forum in 2017.

Bob

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

What a wonderful beginning to this thread, thanks to Patrick and Melgar, with their gorgeous trans and layouts.

Patrick, your short polar express train looks good. A couple of years ago one of my adult children (don’t remember which one) gave me a polar express passenger car. Never ran it because I thought it was goofy, but soon I will post a photo and video of it now that I’ve seen your little polar express train.

Melgar, I particularly like the story you told on your post about your NY Trumbull and Boston RR. And, the name of your new RR has a nice ring to it.

My contribution is the photos and video below showing an MTH PS3 Great Northern VO 1000 diesel switcher. The video shows it hauling a mixed freight of coal, oil and boxcars plus Grest Northern caboose:

“She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes . . . “

Arnold

Arnold - thanks for your kind words!  I totally enjoy trying to come up with something new to kick off SwSat each week.    I'm happy to hear my truncated version of The  Polar Express gave you inspiration to now run yours!

For several years now the FSJR management wanted to offer a Polar Express ride for the folks of Patsburg during the holiday season.  However CEO "Big Bucks Barney Catahoula" would nix the request each year.   He always complained that the price of a PE coach was way too much money to pay for a piece of equipment that would only be used for few weeks each year.  Furthermore, he definitely would not spring for an entire PE train including locomotive.  You must understand that "Big Bucks Barney" is a "Scrooge" sort of guy.  Ol' Barney's  lite on the warm fuzzies and building community relations but big on making the bucks, hence the nickname " Big Bucks"  

Well, fast forward to this past November when Big Bucks Barney attended the Bianco Family Railroad Fair, also known as Trainworld.   While there, Barney came across a price on a scale PE sleeping car to which he could not say "no". .  Not only that but someone must have slipped some Christmas " spirits" into his drink because O'l Barn not only bought the PE sleeping car, he bought a PE caboose too!! Furthermore,  he's donned a Santa suit and can be seen greeting passengers on the station platform each day.   Let me tell ya Arnold .. O'l Big Bucks Barney is now all in on Christmas at the FSJR! He's given instructions to look for a good price on a scale PE coach at York this spring.  If that's not enough ...  Next year he wants the FSJR to produce a Christmas holiday movie entitled ... wait for it. .... Miracle on Track 34.  

At any rate Arnold, I look forward to seeing your version of the Polar Express!!  I'm sure it will be great!

That little BEEP runs sooo smooth Bob @RSJB18.

Well done indeed my friend!!!

Peter.....Buco Australia.