IT's SWITCHER SATURDAY April 20, 2024 Edition

Good Saturday morning Patrick.

Glad you enjoyed the day at York and have two new locomotive models. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos of the switchers for sale at York. Since you posted your B&O Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 switcher, here is my New York Central version.

My switcher for this Saturday is one that I like very much.

New York Central SW8 diesel switcher #9620 is an Atlas O model (6105-2) delivered in 2001 with MSRP $349.95. It is accurate, highly detailed with a diecast shell, and is one of a series of EMD SW locomotive models by Atlas O. The model has a single horizontal motor with two flywheels and a smooth-running mechanism, even without speed control. I also bought Atlas O models of New Haven, Boston & Maine, Maine Central, and Conrail SW locomotives and would like to see them made again with MTH PS3 DCS electronics.

EMD built 309 SW8 locomotives for United States railroads and GMD built 65 for Canadian railroads between September 1950 and February 1954.

New York Central SW8 #9620 (NYC Class DES-18) was built in February 1953 and eventually went to Penn Central and Conrail. It had an 8-cylinder 800 horsepower GM 567B diesel engine and maximum speed of 65 miles-per-hour. New York Central data shows a continuous tractive effort of 31,200 pounds at 7 miles-per-hour which is equivalent to 581 horsepower at the rails. Other sources say 57,000 pounds starting tractive effort. Weight was 230,000 pounds.

The SW8 was designed for a 57.5-degree curve that corresponds to a track radius of about 104 feet – or O-52 in O gauge. So, in the pictures of #9620 on the O-54 curves of my 10’-by-5’ layout, the small pivot angle of the trucks (about 6 degrees with a 22-foot distance between pivots) is absolutely realistic. For me, running the numbers is almost as interesting as running the trains.

MELGAR

Percy and Jasper thought that they were done for the day; but there was time left on their shift and the dispatcher had other ideas. He sent them to the passenger yard to pick up a freshly cleaned consist and spot it in the station. The Baldwin VO 1000 handled the job effortlessly.

Great to see you, Patrick……..York was (and, is fun…….still have today).

I found something at York quite unique, and since manufacturers ALWAYS follow what is prototypical, had to be very rare in real life…….PennCentral steam!

……..and, it’s an 0-4-0. Obviously, I still haven’t run it……..stay tuned, next Saturday!

Have a great and safe weekend, folks!

Peter

@trumpettrain

@Arnold D. Cribari

Pat, My loss  that I missed you yesterday; and also that I missed Arnold and his wife. I was only at the show for about 6 hours; and most of that time was in the Blue hall. Things move a lot slower when you’re on a scooter; but I had the pleasure of having my son with me. He volunteered to drive me to the show and walk around with me. We managed to pick up a few goodies. While making a purchase at one table the seller noticed my OGR button, and introduced himself. It was @Andy Hummell! Great to meet you in person Andy!

A pair of Alco, RS-3's heads a peddler freight toward Newburg NY .

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y85SHgfFMJ7di7Wy7

Good morning #SwSat crew!  As usual, even though I live just north of York, I have to work.   I'm sorry I missed you guys.   

Not to be left out of the new goodies column though, I have something to show off too😃.

Here's a new to me K-Line Prr A5, cab #94.  With the swinging deal I got through TrainZ I couldn't say no.  I don't even have a track ready for it right now but I had to say yes!

I can't wait to put this compact brute to work, and I am really looking forward to York photos.   

Hi ho hi ho, off to work I go!

Good morning switcher fans.  Here is a B6 doing what it does best.

K-Line upgraded with 4 chuffs/rev.

Good morning Switcher Saturday fans.

Thanks, Patrick, for getting us started and for your kind words about the music my wife, Shawn, and I did at York yesterday. My original song about model railroading that I sang is entitled: Who Am I (Rollin' By).

Below is a video from my archives showing an MTH PS3  Maryland Midland diesel switcher hauling boxcars and a B&O caboose as it passes my Popsicle Stick Polo Grounds and crosses my George Washingmachine Bridge:

Arnold

Glad you enjoyed York, Patrick! I really wish I could partake, but I'm all the way out in CA and the airfare is ridiculous! Regardless, nice to see you had a nice find in your H-10-44. Speaking of finds, this little MTH PS-3 RK PPL SW-1500 showed up on Forum sponsor Mario's website during an Easter MTH clearance. Here she is moving some rotary gondolas to the unloader (you have to imagine, train room's a mess) at a stately nine and one-quarter mph.:

Ever since John @jhz563 posted about the prototype at his PPL plant many SWSAT's ago, I've wanted one. I came to love the mountains and valleys of PA as a grad student at PSU and this livery captures their essence perfectly for me. She took a little "tweaking" to get smooth low-speed operation and I restored the DCS/DCC switch. I got the PPL rotary gondolas from Forum sponsor Brady's Train Outlet for just over $60 each delivered (they needed a little work, too). So, thank you, John, for the inspiration for my new favorite switcher and consist. Rest assured, THESE gondolas aren't headed to the scrapyard!

Good morning, SwSat nation!  I’m happy to hear so many of you had a good time at York and I wish I was there to hear Arnold’s and Shawn’s performance!  If it was recorded and you have a link, please post it so we all can enjoy it.

The Yardmaster has designated this weekend as Jersey Central Lines weekend.  CNJ locomotives will be featured today and on StDaySun tomorrow.

We’ll kickoff with EMD GP7 no. 1524, a MTH Premier model.  No 1524 was delivered with 3 volt PS2, but has been converted to PS3.  An amateur technician- whose name shall remain unknown - pinched a wire replacing a cab light, causing a short that killed the PS2 board.

John

Good morning SwSat fans.  This former UP MTH H10-44 is pulling a few cars off to the paint shop.  Soon they will be ready for use.

Have a great Saturday!

@CAPPilot posted:

Good morning switcher fans.  Here is a B6 doing what it does best.

K-Line upgraded with 4 chuffs/rev.

Ron, Great video and demonstration of the B 6.

Happy switcher Saturday. York’s  on my bucket list but unfortunately not for this year.  Hope all attendees pick up some nice switchers! Here is my 44 tonner pulling some ballast for a track maintenance project -

In keeping with what seems to be today’s theme:

Good morning SWSAT crew!

Penn Central SW8 8616 (Atlas O) is moving a passenger car to the shops to have a bad wheel bearing repaired:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

Morning SWITCHER SATURDAY fans. Lionel 0-4-0 moving some empty hoppers.

Happy SWSat!

Glad all the York attendees had a good time and brought home lot's of goodies. I think it's safe to say that the talk of the end of York are behind us. I need to make the pilgrimage soon as well.

I'll keep the FM train rolling along too.

I have two FM models, 1st is a H-10-44 in PRR livery. This is a MTH PS1 model.

And the other is a H-16-44 in NYC livery. This one is from Lionel with TMCC.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Bob

@Bill Swatos posted:

Glad you enjoyed York, Patrick! I really wish I could partake, but I'm all the way out in CA and the airfare is ridiculous! Regardless, nice to see you had a nice find in your H-10-44. Speaking of finds, this little MTH PS-3 RK PPL SW-1500 showed up on Forum sponsor Mario's website during an Easter MTH clearance. Here she is moving some rotary gondolas to the unloader (you have to imagine, train room's a mess) at a stately nine and one-quarter mph.:

Ever since John @jhz563 posted about the prototype at his PPL plant many SWSAT's ago, I've wanted one. I came to love the mountains and valleys of PA as a grad student at PSU and this livery captures their essence perfectly for me. She took a little "tweaking" to get smooth low-speed operation and I restored the DCS/DCC switch. I got the PPL rotary gondolas from Forum sponsor Brady's Train Outlet for just over $60 each delivered (they needed a little work, too). So, thank you, John, for the inspiration for my new favorite switcher and consist. Rest assured, THESE gondolas aren't headed to the scrapyard!

Hey Bill!  thanks for the mention.  I wish I had some of the ppl rotary dumpers but I haven't ever found any at a price I was willing to pay!  So you inspired me right back this morning.

Here's the subject on the FCC (Filing Cabinet Central)

And since the crew was headed to break when I walked out to the job, here's some other shots I thought you'd like.

Here's a Sunny Side shot of 2102:

Horns horns horns!  I suggested more Horns and some remote operation side lights to Pat when he commissioned this custom run, but no luck.  He did however make some paint changes from the original concept sketches and we got a really nice model!

Those "little cats" parked in the corner are D10 dozers.  Honestly they're huge up close.

View thru the dumper

Republic locomotive unit staged in the thaw shed

View inside the thaw shed.

Controls for the dumper and all the belts.  (that shed controls in the same room, not pictured)

A little video action:

And the reason I'm at work this morning: A fifteen year overhaul on a 2 stage axial fan.  8000 hp at leisurely 720 rpm.

Regulating end hydraulic cylinder alignment

Here is a bit of a hybrid...a Hornby M0 tank shell, re-powered with a Marx mechanism to make it electric.  Here she is pulling a string of AF pre - war passenger / baggage  cars.  Just a little 0-4-0 moving a short local passenger train to the next village.

Best Wishes

Don

Happy Switch Sat!

Today's pics are from Essex Steam train and Riverboat, Essex, CT. I lived close by and would stop to watch.

Take Care, Ray

WOW!!! You all have some great content up so far today!!! JHZ 563 - John thanks for the tour of your plant operations and the PPL locomotive looks fabulous!!!  Bill Swatos - your model of John's company's  locomotive also looks fabulous ... as does John's on his FCC!!!   I love all the FM H 10- 44 posts in several different liveries ... and of course Mel's detailed information on this locomotive  ...fabulous!!  Don - your hybrid Hornby plus switcher is quite interesting!  RayKay - beautiful red and black 44 tonner in 1:1 scale!!   Sitka's 0-4-0 Pennsy is gitner done!!  Tom Densel I love that Atlas O SW8 in Penn Central livery!  Ron great video of your B6 doing its thing .. fabulous!  Arnold I'm so happy that we got to meet in person!  I love that GP7/9 of the Maryland Midland variety ... and a lovely string of boxcars it's pulling too!  Peter - It was great seeing you yesterday AND your post today  wins the Rare Find Prize!  Can't wait to see your Penn Central steam switcher in action next week!  Pennsyfan - Bob I too regret that  our paths didn't cross while at York yesterday.  I would have loved to have met you in person and am happy that your son helped you to make the trip!   Got to love a VO1000!  I sure hope Percy and Jasper love that locomotive too!

Here are some videos I took in the Orange Hall yesterday.  Although not a switcher the first video is a short of the new Atlas O  2-8-0 Consolidation that's now in the new Atlas O catalogue.   It's a fine looker IMHO!!  I'm sure at some point there were many 2-8-0 locomotives who served as switchers in yards, and on local freight jobs.  

The second and third videos are on Brain Inche's  display layout.  Brian is a custom layout builder.  I think you'll love this Coor's Beer switcher pulling a cut of reefers through exquisite scenery and over a wooden trestle.  Enjoy!!

SWITCHERS GALORE!!!   ... Here are photos of switcher I took yesterday at York's Orange Hall.  Mr. Muffin had no shortage of switchers ... huge variety of road names and switcher types.  The top 15 photos are all from Mr. Muffin's booth. My apology for not snapping pics of steam switchers.  They were represented thoughout the Orange Hall, however, for some reason it didn't occur to me to snap photos ... duh!  Next time!  Hope you enjoy these.

I don't remember where I snapped this pic of the ALLSTATE loco but I thought the this guy looks pretty cool!

Ford Motor Co center cab.

I took this phots at a vintage European train booth.  Check out the switcher on the right top shelf.

A couple of Lionel 0-6-0 tank engines that have been outfitted with sound

I snapped this one of the Wine Train 44 tonner while I was at the TRAINZ booth.

Patrick,

I've never been to York before, not sure I'd I ever will. What were your impressions...was it more crowded or less crowded compared to other shows, etc.?

Thanks for posting pictures.

Tom

@Steam Crazy posted:

Good morning, SwSat nation!  I’m happy to hear so many of you had a good time at York and I wish I was there to hear Arnold’s and Shawn’s performance!  If it was recorded and you have a link, please post it so we all can enjoy it.

John

I'm not aware of any recording made of our performance yesterday, but Bob Bueller, TCA Chairman, has invited us to perform music at the upcoming TCA Convention. Specifically, my wife and I will be singing my model railroad song, Who Am I (Rollin' By), train-related songs including my favorite, City of New Orleans, and others at the Welcoming Party on Wedesday evening June 19th, and the Banquet on Saturday evening June 22nd, both to be held at the Commonwealth Ballroom of the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Hotel.

Arnold

Here's a photo of my newest switcher bought at York yesterday. Chessie System NW2 #5063. This is a RailKing Scale diesel and can run on O27 curves. Brand new with zero miles on it. I have it with a new Weaver Maryland Midland hopper.

Charlie

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I'm not aware of any recording made of our performance yesterday, but Bob Bueller, TCA Chairman, has invited us to perform music at the upcoming TCA Convention. Specifically, my wife and I will be singing my model railroad song, Who Am I (Rollin' By), train-related songs including my favorite, City of New Orleans, and others at the Welcoming Party on Wedesday evening June 19th, and the Banquet on Saturday evening June 22nd, both to be held at the Commonwealth Ballroom of the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Hotel.

Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari

Arnold:

That is GREAT!!! I can see a national tour of train shows in your future.

Also, it was a pleasure finally meeting you and your beautiful wife in person in the lobby of the Orange Hall in York this past Friday.

@trumpettrain posted:

Here are some videos I took in the Orange Hall yesterday.  Although not a switcher the first video is a short of the new Atlas O  2-8-0 Consolidation that's now in the new Atlas O catalogue.   It's a fine looker IMHO!!  I'm sure at some point there were many 2-8-0 locomotives who served as switchers in yards, and on local freight jobs.  

@trumpettrain Patrick,

Thanks for the mention (and Bob too @pennsyfan ).  Many 2-8-0 steamers became road switchers or even just switchers late in their careers.  So it being here is just fine.

The Atlas 2-8-0 looks great and thanks for the video.  My main concern is it has 3 chuffs/rev.  I know this is not a big deal for most, but kind of odd.  Hopefully their production engine has four.

Ron - if it has PS3 electronics, the chuff rate will be adjustable from 1 to 4

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I'm not aware of any recording made of our performance yesterday, but Bob Bueller, TCA Chairman, has invited us to perform music at the upcoming TCA Convention. Specifically, my wife and I will be singing my model railroad song, Who Am I (Rollin' By), train-related songs including my favorite, City of New Orleans, and others at the Welcoming Party on Wedesday evening June 19th, and the Banquet on Saturday evening June 22nd, both to be held at the Commonwealth Ballroom of the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Hotel.

Arnold

I enjoyed talking to you and your wife yesterday morning, on the elevator ride up at the hotel.  I did get to heat your show a little when my son let me escape from his table in the blue hall.  Thank you both.

@CAPPilot posted:

@trumpettrain Patrick,

I know this is not a big deal for most, but kind of odd.  Hopefully their production engine has four.

I studied that model for 5 minutes and didn’t notice that.  Tells you how observant I am…

@PRR8976 posted:

Patrick,

I've never been to York before, not sure I'd I ever will. What were your impressions...was it more crowded or less crowded compared to other shows, etc.?

Thanks for posting pictures.

Tom

Tom - As I was only in the Orange Hall all day ( 10:30 a.m. - 6 pm and not visiting any dealer halls ) yesterday, I thought the crowd there was good sized.  At times "some"  ( not all ) of the isles were so full of folks that it was a challenge to navigate a path through.  As for the Orange Hall I thought it was well attended and was on par with the crowds that I've experienced over the years since my first York in the fall of 2010.  I've usually attended on Fridays over the years and yesterday of course being a  Friday was no exception.  Again, I spent all my time in the OH yesterday so I'm not able to speak for attendance at the overall show.

It was easy to get a parking spot right in front of the Orange Hall.  Over the years I've had to park on the grass a good distance from the OH.  As a matter of fact I've been able to park in front of the OH for the last few York meets now that I think about it.  Also, I did notice a great reduction in the amount of RVs parked on the fair grounds.  There was a sparse representation of RVs compared to several years ago.  

On a personal note, I found this particular York experience to be my most enjoyable since my first time attending back in 2010 , which for me was mind blowing!!   I usually only attend York one day only.  Whenever I attended York in the past I've felt the need to see all the halls in that single day.  That mindset  created angst because I just didn't slow down enough to fully take in any one hall.  Yesterday, allowing myself to slow down and just immerse myself into the energy of the OH, taking my time and thouroughly looking at products, chatting with friends, watching demos, and fully listening to what vendors had to say was deeply enjoyable.    As a side note, at the end of the day I found myself having more energy than ever before after attending a day at York. ( Plus I got little sleep Thursday night )   Usually after a day at York, visiting all the halls, I feel exhausted/totally spent ... but not this time.  As a matter of fact I came home, walked my dog, fixed and ate dinner, downloaded some music for today's gig, practiced my trumpet, then prepared SwSat all before midnight and still had plenty of energy ( only 1 cup of bad coffee yesterday morning too .. lol! ).  I got up at 7:30 am this morning, walked the dog, took a quick shower, ate breakfast, got dressed for the gig, warmed up on my trumpet, then took off for the gig.

As I drove home last night, I did find myself regretting not visiting any of the dealer halls.  Simultaneously I had a sense of joy and deep satisfaction with my York experience.  I'm currently pondering the idea of getting a hotel room for Wednesday and Thursday night for this coming fall's York meet.  This way I can be at the York fair grounds when the train show opens on Thursday and have all day Friday to attend.  I think doing this will allow me to take my time and see more halls without angst.

If you are ever able to make it to York, I whole heartedly encourage you to go.  Many folks who've been a member of TCA and who've been in attendance for decades, say the show is not what it used to be.  And yes, as I've been going for 14 years and York is not what it used to be when I began going, however, it's still a wonderful place to go and be engaged in model/toy trains.  The folks who attend all share the love of model/toy trains and those folks really co-create a wonderful atmospheric energy in which to enjoy our terrific hobby.  I always keep in mind the adage: " The only constant in life is change."  I apologize if my response was too lengthy.

I attached this  clip of my new MTH B&O H -10-44 in action to keep this post switcher related.    

@Sitka posted:

Morning SWITCHER SATURDAY fans. Lionel 0-4-0 moving some empty hoppers.

I see Mom's hard at work puttin' everything where it belongs, Mark, like moms always do!

Hey Patrick,

   Thanks for the very detailed summary of your York experiences. It was all good to know.

Tom

@trumpettrain Patrick, I really enjoyed your many photos in OH and your reply to Tom regarding your general impressions at York. It helped me feel a bit like I had attended and strengthened my resolve to do so in the future.

@jhz563 posted:

And since the crew was headed to break when I walked out to the job, here's some other shots I thought you'd like.

Here's a Sunny Side shot of 2102:

Horns horns horns!  I suggested more Horns and some remote operation side lights to Pat when he commissioned this custom run, but no luck.  He did however make some paint changes from the original concept sketches and we got a really nice model!

Those "little cats" parked in the corner are D10 dozers.  Honestly they're huge up close.

View thru the dumper

Republic locomotive unit staged in the thaw shed

View inside the thaw shed.

Controls for the dumper and all the belts.  (that shed controls in the same room, not pictured)

A little video action:

And the reason I'm at work this morning: A fifteen year overhaul on a 2 stage axial fan.  8000 hp at leisurely 720 rpm.

Regulating end hydraulic cylinder alignment

Nice tour, John! I'm getting a bit "off track" here, but is this the fan that regulates the boiler combustion chamber draft to keep the "fireball" in the right place? It's amazing to see what many of us take for granted when we turn on a light. That must be a different experience for you...

@Bill Swatos posted:

Nice tour, John! I'm getting a bit "off track" here, but is this the fan that regulates the boiler combustion chamber draft to keep the "fireball" in the right place? It's amazing to see what many of us take for granted when we turn on a light. That must be a different experience for you...

Yup, making electricity is easy, just flip that little switch on the wall! 

Yes this is a dual purpose fan.  It's primary job is as the induced draft fan, which moves combustion gas out of the boiler and maintains the furnace pressure at negative pressure.   This particular fan is also sized to push the gas through the wet scrubber. 

This unit is small to midsized in power generation terms, about 390 MW.  There are 4 fans total, 2 forced draft, 1 hot gas recirculation fan, and this ID fan.  This fan is part of a large retrofit executed around 2008. 

I found pictures from original construction showing many of the large components coming in by rail.  There's some nice shots a Pennsy GP unit with a cut of Switcher breakers on flatcars.

@jhz563 posted:

Horns horns horns!  I suggested more Horns and some remote operation side lights to Pat when he commissioned this custom run, but no luck.  He did however make some paint changes from the original concept sketches and we got a really nice model!

John, you wouldn't happen to have a link to hear this beauty sounding off, would you? The PS-3 sound file in the MTH model is PRR with the single chime Leslie A-200 that was ubiquitous on PRR locos. Looks like you've got a dual chime AND a five chime horn up there.

@PRR8976

Tom,

After a hiatus of about 3 years I attended this York only because my son drove me and walked with me. We ended up in the Blue hall about 3 1/2 hours. I was dismayed at the number of empty tables.