Last week, my locomotive for Switcher Saturday was New Haven Railroad Alco RS-3 #527, an MTH Railking model (30-2897-1, PS2 3-Volt, June 2009, MSRP $299.95) that I purchased at a recent train show near New Haven. I also mentioned that #527 is the third New Haven RS-3 model that I have, along with #531 (Atlas O Trainman 20033012, 2012, MSRP $399.95) and #518 ( K-Line K2449-0518, 2002, MSRP $379.95). And I was asked to post all three. So, I ran them on my 12’-by-8’ layout this week and here’s what I saw.

I run #531 (Atlas O) often and also plan to run #527 (MTH), so I looked at them first. After that, I retrieved #518 (K-Line) from my train cabinet and ran it for the first time in years. Although the Atlas O and MTH models are quite nice, one look at the K-Line model revealed that it is the most detailed of the three.

In order of looks and detail, it’s K-Line, Atlas O and MTH. Perhaps it’s unfair to rank them because K-Line #518 is a top-of-the-line model. Atlas O #531 is a Trainman model and MTH #527 is a Railking model, both of which are one level below their top-of-the-line Master and Premier product lines.

First photo shows the MTH model and the second shows the Atlas O model. Both models are painted in the original green and orange scheme with script herald as delivered to the New Haven Railroad in 1950. The molded-in louvers are much deeper and more realistic on the Atlas O model. It also has added-on grab rails on the nose compared to molded-in grabs on the MTH version. The stanchions that support the side railings look more correct on the Atlas O model which has fully round air tanks compared to half round tanks on the MTH version. The cooling fan grill at the top of the hood is molded-in on the MTH model but is see-through on the Atlas O, which also has a fan beneath the grille. Neither has engineer or fireman figures in the cab.

Third photo shows a similar view of the #518 K-Line model. It’s painted with a black cab and an orange hood – a color scheme that appeared during the latter part of the 1950s with a block-lettered logo. The stanchions that support the side railings are similar to those on the MTH model and the nose grabs are added-on. The K-Line model has see-through louvers on the sides of the hood and a see-through cooling fan grill on top with a fan beneath the grille. There are engineer and fireman figures in the cab and fully round air tanks. The horns are also more elaborate than those on the Atlas O and MTH models. The K-Line model has sun visors above the cab side windows - something that I did not see in photographs of New Haven RS-3s.

In order of operation, it’s MTH, Atlas O and K-Line, but they all ran well under conventional control. I think the MTH model runs and starts more smoothly than the other two but the difference is negligible. I ran the K-Line model at 10-volts AC to keep the sounds operative without a battery, so I didn’t run it at very low speeds. The sounds on all three models can be heard in the two videos.

Although the MTH model has less detail than the others, it's hardly noticeable when running on the layout and, in my opinion, all three are satisfactory as far as looks and operation.

MELGAR

Merry Christmas, everyone.  I want to wish each of you a most joyous holiday season.  Jim

Happy SWSAT.

I showed this engine on the Christmas thread earlier in the week but the consist is  changed up. I was running it as a Santa Claus train. Yesterday I took the engine home to run a Nativity Train. Which would consist of the three MTH flat cars with lighted loads depicting the Nativity. There are additional box cars,  that show religious phrases. Well Murphy showed up. The top of the stable car hit the lift bridge. I decided to bring the engine back along with the Nativity train. Since there aren’t storage tracks I decided to run the Nativiy in front with Santa in the back.

Merry Switcher Saturday Christmas Edition!

I am running my Lionel Christmas Docksider (6-28660) to celebrate the season.

Take Care and Merry Christmas,

Ray

45 Ton Diesel-Electric Switcher Locomotive Built by General Electric in1946 at the Fox Vally Trolly museum.

Merry and Happy Switcher Saturday, my dear OGR Forum friends. I, for one, am delighted to be here this glorious morning. (I usually am in a very good mood early Saturday morning after a few hours of sleep when I awaken knowing that I will soon be running one of my beloved switchers and visiting this marvelous Forum thread that Patrick always starts so masterfully.

There was an expression that the tall funny guy on the hilarious Seinfeld show would say at this time of the year that I love: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Festivus for the Rest of Us!

Now, back to trains.

Let me take you back in time to the year of my birth: 1951. The location is near where I now live and am at this very moment: Northern Westchester County, New York. That, of course, was a time when there were no computers, television was in its infancy, and trains were more vital to helping people and products get around because the highway system in our nation was much less developed than it is now. And, in the world of O Gauge model trains, Lionel was the Lion of the marketplace, truly the King of the Jungle metaphorically in that world.

When you check out the videos below, pretend it is 1951, look in the distance, perk up your ears and see and hear what is approaching you:

Behold, it’s a powerful NY Central RS3 diesel coming straight at you, be careful, you are not Superman, keep a safe distance from the tracks! LOL.

It’s about 11 AM Saturday morning and this Passenger train on The Put will take you to see a phenom play at Yankee Stadium. This Rookie, whose name is Mickey Mantle, is said to be Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, all in one! He’s incredible! He runs like a deer and hits tape measure home runs. I’m so excited, maybe today he will do the impossible, hit one out of Yankee Stadium. I hope to arrive early enough at The House that Ruth Built, to see The Mick take batting practice:

I hope you have enjoyed this Time Travel experience. (I recently read that scientists and mathematicians now believe that theoretically Time Travel is a reality, and only an engineering problem to actually do it - amazing!).

We have returned from Time Travel back to December 20th, 2024. The model of the diesel switcher in these videos is one of my favorites (I’m now blessed to have many favorites): an MTH PS3 Railking NY Central RS3 diesel switcher acquired from one of our Forum Sponsors, JR Junction Trains & Hobbies from Syracuse, New York, a few years ago.

The passenger cars are Lionel models of NY Central Pullman Green Madison Heavyweights.

What’s so special is that this locomotive and these passenger cars are, IMO, excellent models of the prototypes that actually ran on The Put back in 1951.

Here is one last video showing the train pulling out of the passing siding and onto a main line on my layout;

Arnold

Black River and Western SW1 running 'no hood forward' last night on the Santa train in Ringoes, NJ

Merry Christmas everyone!

Twas the last SwSat before Christmas and all thru the house, the only thing running was bigger than a mouse!

Happy Holidays!

Merry SwSat, switcher fans!  I can’t believe the number of outstanding posts so early in the morning!  You guys are knocking yourselves out!

I don’t have any Christmas themed trains to share, so how about showing my Christmas present?  You’ve seen this road switcher before, my Williams Canadian National Alco RS3.  You haven’t seen the MTH caboose I recently found to complement the engine; I don’t know if it’s rather unique paint scheme is prototypical, but it certainly “makes a statement”!

John

@tnkMarx posted:

Twas the last SwSat before Christmas and all thru the house, the only thing running was bigger than a mouse!

Happy Holidays!

This reminds me when we used to have a dog. When I ran a train, the dog would bark his head off. I’m convinced that the dog thought that the train was a snake. LOL, Arnold

Happy Switcher Saturday.

Let's continue the Maine theme again. So far, my layout is not very congested, but when the port and the paper mill along with other small industries are completed sometime, the traffic will be busy. Next, however, my version of the Edwards factory, which was located in Augusta, will be completed.

Johan

Merry Christmas Switcher Saturday!  We’re cleaning our subway tracks with an NW2 switcher before the Holiday rush. This MTH ps5 model is over 20 years old and operates flawlessly-

Great stuff, everybody. Looking at a wet snow this AM, and Christmas themed trains, kinda jump starts the Christmas spirit. Johan, you’re really a convincing DownEast modeler! And of course, Patrick, thanks for starting us off, despite your hectic schedule. My Christmas stuff left with Sandy!☹️☹️☹️ And, Bob, I’m sorry you had to call in NTSB for your layout hiccup. Merry Christmas SwSaters!

MTH RK - coulda been used as a switcher in a pinch, no?

My track cleaning setup with the Lionel Alco S2.
Merry Christmas to all!

Gene

I actually have no Christmas trains yet in o scale.  So, today is an early Christmas gift my son found for himself.  One of his white whales was a Virginian 44 toner made by M.T.H. in ps3.  Apparently orders were low for that model at the time so he hasn’t seen one yet, until it was included in a collection he purchased for his business.

Happy SWSat!

Great stuff once again. I've also had life interrupt my layout Christmas prep this week so I'll go back to the archives from Christmas Past.....

2017

2018

2019

2020 (under construction )

2021 (my helper!)

2022

2023

2024

The crew in the yard want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah to all!

Bob

Santa’s Toymaker Express by Lionel is making its rounds through the North Pole under our tree today.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Oh ! how I love Saturday mornings for this experience. In fact this seasonal extravaganza December 21st edition is close to my heart. The memories and joy is really a Christmas gift from all you good fellow enthusiasts for which I am truly thankful.
Sitting  here sipping a good a.m. coffee watching a light falling snow in the Maine forest  while being graced with your switcher posts is a highlight of the season. All my best wishes to all and your families.

@MELGAR posted:

Last week, my locomotive for Switcher Saturday was New Haven Railroad Alco RS-3 #527, an MTH Railking model (30-2897-1, PS2 3-Volt, June 2009, MSRP $299.95) that I purchased at a recent train show near New Haven. I also mentioned that #527 is the third New Haven RS-3 model that I have, along with #531 (Atlas O Trainman 20033012, 2012, MSRP $399.95) and #518 ( K-Line K2449-0518, 2002, MSRP $379.95). And I was asked to post all three. So, I ran them on my 12’-by-8’ layout this week and here’s what I saw.

I run #531 (Atlas O) often and also plan to run #527 (MTH), so I looked at them first. After that, I retrieved #518 (K-Line) from my train cabinet and ran it for the first time in years. Although the Atlas O and MTH models are quite nice, one look at the K-Line model revealed that it is the most detailed of the three.

In order of looks and detail, it’s K-Line, Atlas O and MTH. Perhaps it’s unfair to rank them because K-Line #518 is a top-of-the-line model. Atlas O #531 is a Trainman model and MTH #527 is a Railking model, both of which are one level below their top-of-the-line Master and Premier product lines.

First photo shows the MTH model and the second shows the Atlas O model. Both models are painted in the original green and orange scheme with script herald as delivered to the New Haven Railroad in 1950. The molded-in louvers are much deeper and more realistic on the Atlas O model. It also has added-on grab rails on the nose compared to molded-in grabs on the MTH version. The stanchions that support the side railings look more correct on the Atlas O model which has fully round air tanks compared to half round tanks on the MTH version. The cooling fan grill at the top of the hood is molded-in on the MTH model but is see-through on the Atlas O, which also has a fan beneath the grille. Neither has engineer or fireman figures in the cab.

Third photo shows a similar view of the #518 K-Line model. It’s painted with a black cab and an orange hood – a color scheme that appeared during the latter part of the 1950s with a block-lettered logo. The stanchions that support the side railings are similar to those on the MTH model and the nose grabs are added-on. The K-Line model has see-through louvers on the sides of the hood and a see-through cooling fan grill on top with a fan beneath the grille. There are engineer and fireman figures in the cab and fully round air tanks. The horns are also more elaborate than those on the Atlas O and MTH models. The K-Line model has sun visors above the cab side windows - something that I did not see in photographs of New Haven RS-3s.

In order of operation, it’s MTH, Atlas O and K-Line, but they all ran well under conventional control. I think the MTH model runs and starts more smoothly than the other two but the difference is negligible. I ran the K-Line model at 10-volts AC to keep the sounds operative without a battery, so I didn’t run it at very low speeds. The sounds on all three models can be heard in the two videos.

Although the MTH model has less detail than the others, it's hardly noticeable when running on the layout and, in my opinion, all three are satisfactory as far as looks and operation.

MELGAR

Thanks, Mel! Great comparison of the three!

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Happy Switcher Saturday.

Let's continue the Maine theme again. So far, my layout is not very congested, but when the port and the paper mill along with other small industries are completed sometime, the traffic will be busy. Next, however, my version of the Edwards factory, which was located in Augusta, will be completed.

Johan

Johan,

I always enjoy seeing things about Maine when it's Winter outside, which it is here today...

In the photo above, it looks like you've modified the middle rail of the 3-rail track. Please comment.

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

Johan,

I always enjoy seeing things about Maine when it's Winter outside, which it is here today...

In the photo above, it looks like you've modified the middle rail of the 3-rail track. Please comment.

MELGAR

Melgar,

Thank you for the positive feedback. Here in southern Finland, the weather is now the same as in Maine. In my modul layout, I use MTH's Scale Trax rails and switches, apart from painting, I have not modified them.

Johan

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Great stuff, everybody. Looking at a wet snow this AM, and Christmas themed trains, kinda jump starts the Christmas spirit. Johan, you’re really a convincing DownEast modeler! And of course, Patrick, thanks for starting us off, despite your hectic schedule. My Christmas stuff left with Sandy!☹️☹️☹️ And, Bob, I’m sorry you had to call in NTSB for your layout hiccup. Merry Christmas SwSaters!

MTH RK - coulda been used as a switcher in a pinch, no?

Mark,

Thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🤝

Johan

Excellent photos and videos, everyone!  

OK here is a Lionel "Classic", the #1615 0-4-0 switcher from 1955-1957.  She is still earning her keep on the Leonardtown and Savannah moving freight cars off the dock and into the sorting yard.  Her small size and tight turning radius is a real advantage in the crowded wharf area and since all the track is level her small size does not pose too big a disadvantage in pulling power.  Besides the wharf is full of short sidings and switches so large locomotives just get in their own way.

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays

Don

Have a good SWITCHER OF A SATURDAY

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy Switcher Saturday.  I wish I could out it as eloquently as Pierre but this will have to do.  Here's a real short video of my Christmas train on my inner loop and a reappearance of my Tropicana 70 tonner by WbB on the outer.  I had hoped to have a small tree on the layout decorated with my train ornaments and some of the Hallmark Lionel ornaments that I have. but rehab of my sciatic nerve is still not complete.  Don't tell my wife I was on a ladder in the garage getting down the Christmas trains or my truncated juice train.

I know this is Chriswitch Saturday but I took the opportunity to try to 70 tonner pulling my actual juice cars.  You may recall my initial trial run of my new 70 tonner on my 042 outer loop resulted in the MTH flatcar being pulled derailing at the apex of the curve where it transitioned to a half straight.  A number of solutions were offered, adding weight to the leading car so it would be less likely to derail, using articulated couplers on the leading car for added swing and altering the the centering springs on the switcher couplers so it wouldn't pull the trailing car off the track.  Any modifications would wait until the 70 tonner was tested with it's actually cars.  I knew I had 2 Lionel wood side billboard reefers and thought I had one more car, a tank car, which I did, and had forgotten a third, MTH RK, reefer.  Well the two MTH RK cars took care of the first two suggestions, the reefer was die cast, and the modern tank car was equipped with articulated trucks.  Well the die cast reefer needs to run up front any way so I hitched it right behind No. 98 and low and behold problem solved, no problems running for 1/2 hour straight.  I may give the tank car a try right behind the engine, just to break up all he orange.

I did have another slightly longer video showing the juice train running across the troublesome joint but apparently my new phone has a better camera and uses more mega bites than  my old phone and 20 second videos are too large to e-mail to my old laptop.  I was able to lug my old phone into a USB port on the laptop and pictures would download automatically.  That laptop is so old I don't even remember how I set that up, I think it had something to do with I tunes.  I've continued using this old laptop for that purpose, ease of transferring photos from phone to laptop so I could use them on the forum.  Now that the new phone doesn't transfer when plugged in O guess it's time to start using my newer laptop for the forum.  I'll just have to learn how to transfer longer videos from my phone to the laptop besides e-mailing them from phone to laptop.

Can't keep a good yardmaster down. After shoveling about 2" of the white stuff....weatherman said a dusting.....😡😡

I got the layout shaped up for the season!

I'm running the Holiday Yuengling Excursion......Cheers! 😁😁

Two KLine Yuengling passenger cars and tank car. The tanker is also a bank. K-line did a whole series of cars for the brewery. Still looking for the rest.

And Reading Shops 0-6-0t does the honors.

Bob

Season’s Greetings, my SWSat friends! Here is this year’s Christmas Train, pulled by the dependable Lionel “A Christmas Story” 0-6-0 Steamer. I hope you all have a train item  or two under your tree this year,  and enjoy a wonderful holiday time. Best wishes for the New Year, too.

A couple of fun Christmastime "critters" for my Sunday Supplement to "The SWSAT Before Christmas" started off just right by Patrick!

First, an elfin MOW crew making sure the track is just right for an important delivery run coming up:

Now, for that important delivery by Mr. & Mrs. Claus, working for all they're worth to get it there on time:

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good "SWSAT Before Christmas!"

@coach joe - Hey I notice you have a "cat" observer in the middle of your layout...mine drives me nuts from the moment we put up the tree, he won't stay away and crawls under the tree .  Well I suppose they deserve a merry Christmas too.

@Sitka - I see your RR has a 1615 working too, I posted mine on the Switcher Sat post this week.  Great loco

@RSJB18 - 2" of snow and shoveling...hey its high 60's and sunny here in Texas..."Cmon Down"!

@Bill Swatos - Neat collection of "critters" Bill liked the post!

What a splendid array of Christmas/holiday posts!!  AND model/toy train and informative posts too!!  A truly delightful mix!!  I had so much fun looking at each post!  You all never cease to amaze and you never disappoint!! BRAVO!!!!

Prior to the holiday season I made a promise to myself to

1) have a Christmas tree this year.

2.) To have a train running around the tree.

I'm happy to report that the golden spike of the 2024 Christmas Tree Central Railroad was driven this afternoon!  TA DA!!    Two brass steam locomotives were chosen to head up this year's train ..... AND one of those locomotives is my Weaver brass B&O scale 0-6-0.  Btw - the other locomotive is my Weaver brass scale Lackawanna Camelback.    

Next step now is to get the tree decorated then create the village.  Whimsy is so much fun!!

Here's a quick clip of the 0-6-0 in action showing only the train and the loop of track.

@Don McErlean posted:

@coach joe - Hey I notice you have a "cat" observer in the middle of your layout...mine drives me nuts from the moment we put up the tree, he won't stay away and crawls under the tree .  Well I suppose they deserve a merry Christmas too.

@Sitka - I see your RR has a 1615 working too, I posted mine on the Switcher Sat post this week.  Great loco

@RSJB18 - 2" of snow and shoveling...hey its high 60's and sunny here in Texas..."Cmon Down"!

@Bill Swatos - Neat collection of "critters" Bill liked the post!

Don that's Sally.  This is her first Christmas with us.  She's attracted by noise, the vacuum, he ice falling from the ice maker, the sound of the trains running.  She comes running when I start them up, jumps on the table and usually finds a spot out of the way, usually.  Sometime she sits between the two tracks until the train comes.  She hasn't bothered the trains yet but she has crawled through one of the Lego gantry cranes and the Lionel Mi-Jack on occasion when I had the intermodal yard set up.  My original train buddy Linus passed away in October.  He spent the last few years in the train room with me but no longer had an interest in the trains.  When he was younger and trains were a Christmas thing, he would climb down out of he Christmas tree to watch the train circle the tree.  If I had the train running too slow he would reach out and catch the caboose by the rear porch railing.  I had to be mindful to keep the speed up when he was around.

Coach Joe! Thanks for the mention, kind of you. I hope your sciatic nerve recovery is short and you will resume in full health. I was happy to spy Sally in your video! Quite the Christmas layout kitty in residence. Felice (feline) Navidad! Lol

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Great stuff, everybody. Looking at a wet snow this AM, and Christmas themed trains, kinda jump starts the Christmas spirit. Johan, you’re really a convincing DownEast modeler! And of course, Patrick, thanks for starting us off, despite your hectic schedule. My Christmas stuff left with Sandy!☹️☹️☹️ And, Bob, I’m sorry you had to call in NTSB for your layout hiccup. Merry Christmas SwSaters!

MTH RK - coulda been used as a switcher in a pinch, no?

Actually, Mark, Amtrak had a "GG-1/2" made from the "good end" of a wrecked G that they used as a switcher in their Wilmington shop and snow melter for switches in the immediate area:

https://www.railpictures.net/v...=100067&nseq=208

And, as you know, three of your Christmas PW steamers happily ride my rails, thanks to your generosity.