It's SWITCHER SATURDAY 2/10/24 Edition!!!

Boston & Maine 617 is an MTH Railking model (30-1184-1) of a USRA 0-8-0 steam switcher delivered in 2001 with PS2 at MSRP $399.95. I hadn’t previously run this engine, so I first installed a BCR. The road number was changed to 617 by forum member Krieglok, who also painted and custom-lettered two boxcars for me. I highly recommend his work. The cars are New York, Trumbull & Boston Railroad 777 and Connecticut Railroad 06611.

Boston & Maine 617 was one of twenty-two Class H-2-a 0-8-0 switchers built for the B&M by Alco Schenectady in 1922. It was sold to the Maine Central Railroad in 1946.

Photos and videos show the engine and boxcars on my 10’-by-5’ layout. The original traction tires failed within a short while after I began running the engine, so two of my grandsons helped me install new ones.

MELGAR

Thank you, Patrick and Mel, for once again getting this Switcher Saturday started.

I purchased an MTH PS3 NY Central RS3 diesel switcher, cab # 8223, from JR Junction Hobby, a Forum sponsor, about 3 years ago. In the video below, it is on a milk run hauling several Lionel Postwar operating milk cars and a caboose:

Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thank you, Patrick and Mel, for once again getting this Switcher Saturday started.

I purchased an MTH PS3 NY Central RS3 diesel switcher, cab # 8223, from JR Junction Hobby, a Forum sponsor, about 3 years ago. In the video below, it is hauling several Lionel Postwar operating milk cars and a caboose:

Arnold very nice looking RS 3 pulling that milk train of PW Lionel milk cars!!!  Your RS3 smokes it up just like the prototype too!

A New Haven RS-3 is out on a peddler run seen coming up through Mel's Gap and headed for The Nazzaro Italian Food Processing plant in the next town.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XnFKwG4bZiL2ERKy9

@MELGAR posted:

Boston & Maine 617 is an MTH Railking model (30-1184-1) of a USRA 0-8-0 steam switcher delivered in 2001 with PS2 at MSRP $399.95. I hadn’t previously run this engine, so I first installed a BCR. The road number was changed to 617 by forum member Krieglok, who also painted and custom-lettered two boxcars for me. I highly recommend his work. The cars are New York, Trumbull & Boston Railroad 777 and Connecticut Railroad 06611.

Boston & Maine 617 was one of twenty-two Class H-2-a 0-8-0 switchers built for the B&M by Alco Schenectady in 1922. It was sold to the Maine Central Railroad in 1946.

Photos and videos show the engine and boxcars on my 10’-by-5’ layout. The original traction tires failed within a short while after I began running the engine, so two of my grandsons helped me install new ones.

MELGAR

Mel - great looking B&M 0-8-0!!!  Your photos have convinced me to look for a N&W Railking version of this locomotive.   Is your 0-8-0 scale?  It looks to be so from the photos.  I have Lionel scale 0-8-0 as I think you do too?  You showed it recently here on SWsat?  How do you think your RailKing version compares to your Lionel scale version?  

Also your two boxcars by Kreiglok look fabulous!!!

Something different, I took short, sequenced video clips of some real time switching action with the RI SW8 after being called out for duty.

Gene

@trumpettrain posted:

Mel - great looking B&M 0-8-0!!!  Your photos have convinced me to look for a N&W Railking version of this locomotive.   Is your 0-8-0 scale?  It looks to be so from the photos.

Those Rail King locomotives are scale sized.

Also your two boxcars by Kreiglok look fabulous!!!

I agree!  Great job!

@trumpettrain Patrick, another impressive bit of storytelling I look forward to reading!

Gene

Good morning, SwSat crew!  We have enjoyed a week of sunshine in Central MA, but a nor’easter lurks around the corner, next Tuesday.  Patrick, fabulous send off, the time and effort you put in your post on our behalf is appreciated!

Your faithful rail fans, Tom and Jerry, are back in Worcester, on B&M’s Ayer branch.  They decided a spot in the Greendale section of the city, near Barber’s Crossing, would be the perfect place to catch some early morning B&M action.  Let’s hope they have an intimate knowledge of the B&M schedule, considering the dangerous position they have assumed right on the tracks!

A freight headed up by EMD GP7 no. 1555 and Alco RS3 no. 1518 was filmed heading North to Ayer,, followed by a Southbound move of covered hoppers pulled by EMD SW9 no. 1230.  A keen SwSat observer might notice the latter train is the same one seen last Saturday in ME, powered by MEC F3 no. 671.  Why has the train traveled all the way down to Worcester?  The boys don’t know, but they suspect a special shipment of Maine aggregate to the nearby Norton Abrasives Co.

John

Happy SWSat!

Thanks again for kicking the throttle in gear this morning Patrick. Nice Boxcab!

I'll second the motion with my PRR Boxcab in Pennsy livery. I bought this one from a forum member a couple of years ago. It's also by K-line. Plans were developed to add ERR boards with a Doodlebug Railsounds board but the shop hasn't cleared a slot for it on the schedule yet.

The closest prototype I could find here was a Class D:
Power system: 11,000-volt A.C. catenary
Wheel arrangement: 2-B
Built: Baldwin (Westinghouse elec. equip.), 1907
Road No.: 10003
Quantity: 1
Horsepower: 750

Have a great weekend.

Enjoy the Superbowl tomorrow.

Bob

Happy SwSat everyone!

I too have a PRR boxcab but my O gauge layout is under construction so this week I went to the other side of the train room (turned around) and ran a CSX MP15 switcher on my HO switching layout.

Have a great day!

Once again nice start trumptrain PW Lionel 624 C & O from 52-54.

Great stuff, everyone!

Peter

Good morning SWSAT crew!

Penn Central GP9 7180 (Atlas O) is in charge of a transfer run this morning:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

@trumpettrain posted:

Mel - great looking B&M 0-8-0!!!  Your photos have convinced me to look for a N&W Railking version of this locomotive.   Is your 0-8-0 scale?  It looks to be so from the photos.  I have Lionel scale 0-8-0 as I think you do too?  You showed it recently here on SWsat?  How do you think your RailKing version compares to your Lionel scale version?  

Also your two boxcars by Kreiglok look fabulous!!!

@trumpettrain,

Patrick,

Photos show my five models of USRA 0-8-0 steam switchers. Norfolk & Western #244 (with PS1), New York Central #415 (also PS1), and Boston & Maine #617 (PS2) are MTH Railking models with a corresponding level of detail. New Haven #3400 is an MTH Premier model (PS2) and Boston & Albany #53 is a Lionel model (TMCC) that I would say has detail like a Legacy model. The New Haven and Boston & Albany models are similar and have higher levels of detail than the Railking versions but all five are scale-sized. They measure ten inches from the front of the headlight to the rear edge of the cab overhang.

For operation, the Railking PS1 versions are perfectly fine. The PS2 and TMCC versions are better for low-speed switching. On the Lionel model, the underside of the boiler is round but the MTH Premier model's is not. So, in my opinion, the Lionel version has the best detailing.

MELGAR

Happy SWSAT!  The CNJ crew is busy setting off cars in the small yard.  Today's power is 0-6-0 steam switcher #107, a 3-rail brass model from Weaver.  It was factory weathered.

I've also included a photo of my grandfather at the controls of the "real" # 107, shown here taking on water at the CNJ's yard complex in Ashley, PA.  (Photo from my grandfather's personal collection).

Thomas 0-4-0 pushing a Lobaugh tank.

Happy Switch Sat.!

Today I pulled out my Railking  B&M SW-1  30-2742-1

Take Care, Ray

Here we find BOSTON & Maine 0-8-0 #610 and Maine Central Alco S2 #301in the BOSTON & MAINE/ MAINE CENTRAL interchange yard. Both models are MTH PREMIER with PS2 purchased second hand.

Viewing this picture, some WAG might ask why the MAINE CENTRAL needed an 0-8-0 when it already had an Alco S2!

Picked these guys up at the show last weekend.

Well with everyone showing their "new" boxcab's I thought I might show the "grandaddy" of them all.  Note if you will the similarity of the shell casting between the modern ones and this ancient warrior.  Here is the Lionel #520 from 1956-1957, based on a GE 80 ton boxcab electric sold to the Chilean Exploration Company for use in copper mining.   Of perhaps lesser fame is the knowledge that it was brought out by Lionel in order to create a very low cost engine for their bottom of the line set in response to buyer demands for a set that retailed under $20.  So in 1956, the lowly 520 headed up set 1542 or 750 (both numbers were used) at a retail price of $19.95.  Not a bad deal for the time, the set came with a 6014 red Baby Ruth boxcar, 6012 black gondola, 6017 SP type caboose, 8 curved and one straight track, a 6029 uncoupling track and a 1015 45-watt transformer.  One small trick Lionel used to lower cost was that the contents of the set were placed "unboxed" in the set box.  Yet all the rolling stock still had metal trucks and operating couplers.

Well best wishes to everyone.  Great pictures all.  @CNJ #1601- Wow what a treasure to have a picture of your grandfather at the helm of the same engine you are modeling.  Thanks for posting.  

Don

@tnkMarx posted:

Happy SwSat everyone!

I too have a PRR boxcab but my O gauge layout is under construction so this week I went to the other side of the train room (turned around) and ran a CSX MP15 switcher on my HO switching layout.

Have a great day!

Your great looking HO CSX MP15 brought to mind my O gauge K-Line CSX MP15 I showed a few weeks ago.

@trumpettrain posted:

Here she is, having just arrived on the property of The Free State Junction Railway.  Engineer Claude Schmuckle stands on the front deck waving his hat at some of the fellers ( out of the frame ) in the yard.  O'l Claude is proud as a peacock!   Brakeman Jake the Brake Willis is on the rear deck of the locomotive thinking to himself ... "I wonder how long this critter is going to stay gleaming?  Hmm I'll give it a week  two at the max."  

That little yarn, with perhaps a couple of more photos added, would have been great for the "Rail Tales" feature in OGR magazine, and would have also earned you a couple of hundred bucks for the submission/publication. I like to remind folks from time to time that I am always receptive to publishing nicely illustrated little fictional tales that include around five decent photos to support the story line. Makes for some fun modeling, and also for some fun reading by our subscribers. Helps to bring a layout to life.

Railking

Lot's of great switchers today.

Thanks to @Allan Miller for checking in.

I'm back with an update on my latest switcher project. Here's the update.

Bob

My grandson, Engineer George, is running trains with his dad and grandpa today!

another couple of steps completed on a repaint and decal of a 8471 switcher that suffered some paint and frame damage from a drop - and a 6-6926 caboose with weird mildewy paint damage from long storage. i still have several steps before they are finished. N&W is in my neighborhood, so I thought I would add some local flavor (and it's a simple paint scheme)

@Allan Miller posted:

That little yarn, with perhaps a couple of more photos added, would have been great for the "Rail Tales" feature in OGR magazine, and would have also earned you a couple of hundred bucks for the submission/publication. I like to remind folks from time to time that I am always receptive to publishing nicely illustrated little fictional tales that include around five decent photos to support the story line. Makes for some fun modeling, and also for some fun reading by our subscribers. Helps to bring a layout to life.

Allan - I'm honored that you liked my "little yarn"!  Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll be submitting some little yarns to you in the near future.

@Genemed posted:

@trumpettrain Patrick, another impressive bit of storytelling I look forward to reading!

Gene

Thanks so much Gene!  So glad you liked it

@MELGAR posted:

@trumpettrain,

Patrick,

Photos show my five models of USRA 0-8-0 steam switchers. Norfolk & Western #244 (with PS1), New York Central #415 (also PS1), and Boston & Maine #617 (PS2) are MTH Railking models with a corresponding level of detail. New Haven #3400 is an MTH Premier model (PS2) and Boston & Albany #53 is a Lionel model (TMCC) that I would say has detail like a Legacy model. The New Haven and Boston & Albany models are similar and have higher levels of detail than the Railking versions but all five are scale-sized. They measure ten inches from the front of the headlight to the rear edge of the cab overhang.

For operation, the Railking PS1 versions are perfectly fine. The PS2 and TMCC versions are better for low-speed switching. On the Lionel model, the underside of the boiler is round but the MTH Premier model's is not. So, in my opinion, the Lionel version has the best detailing.

MELGAR

Mel - Wow!  Thanks so much for your detailed info and all the photos.   I love that you have so many 0-8-0 locomotives, all with varying sound/operating systems.  I agree the Lionel is the most well detailed!  As a matter of fact I'm running my Lionel C&O 0-8-0 ( same as yours but in C&O ) as I sit here at the computer typing in my train room.  After seeing your N&W MTH O-8-0, I'm putting one on my shopping list.   I very much appreciate your expert opinion and information!  

Another fabulous Switcher Saturday!!   Thanks to everyone who contributed and to those who stopped by!  It's all of you that make this thread the wonderful thread that it is!!  Remember to keep on posting throughout the weekend and into the week ... let's keep this party rolling!!

I've had a jam packed schedule all day since leaving the house at 7:30 a.m. and finally had time beginning  around 11 p.m. to retreat to my train room and run some trains.

Just want to give a shout out to those who contributed today:

MELGAR -  Great looking B&M 0-8-0!!  And the boxcars by Kreiglock at stellar!!  

Arnold - Got to love a NYC  RS3 pulling a milk train of PW Lionel milk cars.  Are they all automatic?  

Dave Warburton - Engineer George has some fabulous mentors!!!  We look forward to seeing George at the controls often!!

Mark Spadaro - Great looking locomotive plying your rails!!

Don McErlean - Thanks for showing us your 'granddaddy" of box cabs by Lionel.  AND thanks for the history of this unique little switcher.  Very enjoyable!

Brad J - nice looking quartet of critters!

Genemed - WOW!  Very nice video sequence of your RI SW 8.  Your layout looks terrific and the backdrop is gorgeous!!!

c t r - Got to love New England railroading!!  Your S2 and 0-8-0 look terrific!

Ray Kay - Wow!  Your B&M SW1 looks super sharp!!

Dennis Holler - great shot of the slope back tender trailing your switcher!

Steam Crazy - I hope those photographers Tom and Jerry don't get hit by a train!   Your GP 7 looks terrific!

CNJ 1601-  Joe - Most impressive that you are modeling your grandfather's 0-6-0!!  Fantastic Weaver brass model and an incredible photo of your grandfather at the controls of the real 107!!!  Very special!!

Tom Densel - your video of the PC transfer is impeccable!!

Sitka - Very nice looking PW C&O 624 switcher produced by Lionel 1952 - 54!!

TnkMarx -  Your video of the CSX switcher and train is fabulous!!  Very realistic!

RSJB - Bob - Thanks for posting your K line Pennsy boxcab.  I see you have the version with pantographs ... very cool!!  Let us see it once you get the ERR board installed.

Allan Miller - thanks so much for stopping by!

Those men have a right to be proud Patrick! That's a neat little boxcab! She looks like she might share the same drive as the K-Line Plymouth we all know and love! I'm a bit late to the SWSAT party due to some technical difficulties (the center-flow hopper depicted below had to be completely reworked despite being NIB). Anyway, my love of the Soo Line informs my SWSAT post today:

This RS-27 along with her "sister" #416 were acquired by the Soo in 1962, shortly after this bold livery was conceived in 1961 by Soo's public relations manager at the time, Wallace W. Abbey. In fact, #415 & #416, known as "The Dolly Sisters," were the first new locomotives to be delivered to the Soo in this livery.

The RS-27 is Lionel Legacy (operating in Legacy), the 3 boxcars are by our good friend and colleague Tom @Krieglok, the "troublesome" center-flow hopper is from Lionel's 1993 service station set, "The Soo Line Special," and the extended-vision caboose is MTH Premier.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Those men have a right to be proud Patrick! That's a neat little boxcab! She looks like she might share the same drive as the K-Line Plymouth we all know and love! I'm a bit late to the SWSAT party due to some technical difficulties (the center-flow hopper depicted below had to be completely reworked despite being NIB). Anyway, my love of the Soo Line informs my SWSAT post today:

This RS-27 along with her "sister" #416 were acquired by the Soo in 1962, shortly after this bold livery was conceived in 1961 by Soo's public relations manager at the time, Wallace W. Abbey. In fact, #415 & #416, known as "The Dolly Sisters," were the first new locomotives to be delivered to the Soo in this livery.

The RS-27 is Lionel Legacy (operating in Legacy), the 3 boxcars are by our good friend and colleague Tom @Krieglok, the "troublesome" center-flow hopper is from Lionel's 1993 service station set, "The Soo Line Special," and the extended-vision caboose is MTH Premier.

Their sister says hello!
That is a bold paint scheme Bill. I'd put it up there with McGinnis's New Haven RR and Boston and Maine schemes.

Bob

Bob and Bill, I think D&H’s paint scheme belongs in that elite company, too.  Here’s my Lionel RS11.

John

@trumpettrain posted:

Genemed - WOW!  Very nice video sequence of your RI SW 8.  Your layout looks terrific and the backdrop is gorgeous!!!

Thank you Patrick, I greatly appreciate the kind words especially coming from someone with your level of talent.

Gene

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bob and Bill, I think D&H’s paint scheme belongs in that elite company, too.  Here’s my Lionel RS11.

John

Point well taken John. I'm actually planning to swap out the trains on the layout and run the D&H this week.

@trumpettrain- Thanks Patrick. I have a NYC Alco S2 that's next on the list but I will get to the boxcab.  A note on these boxcabs- the leading truck tends to derail. I plan to add some weight to mine when I have it on the bench.

Bob

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bob and Bill, I think D&H’s paint scheme belongs in that elite company, too.  Here’s my Lionel RS11.

John

Love the D&H “Lightning Stripe” scheme, John!  It sure was a bold departure from their first diesel basic black livery.

@RSJB18 posted:

Point well taken John. I'm actually planning to swap out the trains on the layout and run the D&H this week.

@trumpettrain- Thanks Patrick. I have a NYC Alco S2 that's next on the list but I will get to the boxcab.  A note on these boxcabs- the leading truck tends to derail. I plan to add some weight to mine when I have it on the bench.

Bob

Thanks for the heads up Bob!  Actually,  I had already discovered that same problem with the lead truck ... it would derail when pulling a car.  The loco stays on track when running lite.  I too plan to add some extra weight which should hopefully remedy that problem.  

I look forward to seeing your NYC S2 once you acquire it!

@RSJB18 posted:

Their sister says hello!
That is a bold paint scheme Bill. I'd put it up there with McGinnis's New Haven RR and Boston and Main schemes.

Bob

Bob I have a similar engine #2404.  Unfortunately when I researched it #2404 is one that did NOT have the red&white twisted worm.  I am keeping anyway!

Ron