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Hello switcher fans!!  Welcome to Switcher Saturday!!!  Switcher Saturday ( SwSat)  is THE thread which celebrates by discussion, photos, and videos all things related to switching locomotives both in model  and in real forms.      It doesn't matter what gauge you model in, for SwSat welcomes your photos/videos and/or information for  all gauges from Z- G and real 1:1 gauge as well!  

We ask that you abide by OGR Forum Terms of Service found by clicking on TOS at the top of this page.  As a reminder please post only photos/videos  you have taken.  If you post someone else's photo/video/information be sure to have their express written permission.  Posting copyrighted photos/ videos/ material is a violation of copyright law and violators are legally liable.  

As always, I'm excited to see what you all post!  We greatly learn from one another and you all have so much to share from rehab and upgrade projects, historical and technical information of both model and real switchers and switching railroads, to terrific photos of the latest high tech switchers, post and prewar switchers.  AND of course we as a community learn from all the content you provide.  So please feel free to post your photos and/or information!

Last week I said something new would be arriving on the FSJR property and I'd show it this week, however, I'm going to wait until next week to post the new arrival. Meanwhile I'm celebrating today's SwSat with photos of both diesel and steam switchers.

I hope everyone has a FUN-TASTIC weekend and week ahead!  Remember ... Safety First!  Keep those switches aligned, adhere to your switch lists, and run your switchers every chance you get!  Green signals to all! See ya here next week on Switcher Saturday!  

In the top photo below ...These 4 types of switchers pretty much sum up the basic variety of diesel switchers, albeit there are variations to the theme.  

At the very top on the red bridge is an EMD SW1 ( Ma & Pa ) with 600 hp.  On the elevated trestle is a Fairbanks - Morse Train Master road switcher boasting 2,400 hp   The blue locomotive is the classic ALCO RS1 ( Washington Terminal Co. ) with 1,000 hp and directly adjacent is a EMD SW1500 ( Canton RR ) with a 1,500 hp output.  With the exception of the SW1500 all the locomotives are Transition Era diesels, also refered to as first generation.  All these model diesel switchers are MTH except the Train Master produced by Williams.  

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A Pennsy A5 0--0 ( by K line ) takes on water at the tank.

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A brute of a switcher:  An 0-8-0 ( by Lionel ) pushes agains the last of a string of hopper cars.  

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Last edited by trumpettrain
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Two switchers ran on my 12’-by-8’ layout this week.

New Haven Railroad Alco S-2 diesel switcher #0615 (MTH Premier 20-20587-1) ran through the truss bridge on the O-36 inner loop and Boston & Albany USRA 0-8-0 steam switcher #53 (Lionel 6-28702) ran across the girder bridge on the O-54 middle loop.

MELGAR

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Last edited by MELGAR

Hello SwSat friends!  It’s always fun to be back on the best thread in the Forum, thanks to all the great contributions from you guys!  Mel, I think the four car freight behind your NH S2 is the longest I’ve seen on your layout.  It looks fine, not too long at all!

I’m reaching back in the archives today for a switcher I haven’t shown for a while, my Williams Bangor & Aroostook EMD BL2 no. 51.  Like all Willams engines, it is a smooth, powerful, well finished model, a great value for conventional operators like me (I paid $159).  I’m on the hunt for more Williams engines, but the supply is diminishing; I don’t think Bachmann is producing any more, based on the scarce offerings on their website.

A bonus today is a cameo appearance of my Lionel Maine Central EMD GP7 no. 562.

John

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Arnold ... nice looking Jersey Central NW2 !  I hope to some day own a Williams B&O or N&W NW2.

MELGAR ... Love the ALCO S2 in New Haven livery!  AND it's pulling 4 handsome boxcars and caboose too!  The USRA 0-8-0 is a classic and looks great!  I love the video of the USRA 0-8-0 and S2 coming off the bridge running side by side!

Here's a video ( posted in the past ) showing steam and diesel switchers doing their thing.  

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@Steam Crazy posted:

Hello SwSat friends!  It’s always fun to be back on the best thread in the Forum, thanks to all the great contributions from you guys!  Mel, I think the four car freight behind your NH S2 is the longest I’ve seen on your layout.  It looks fine, not too long at all!

I’m reaching back in the archives today for a switcher I haven’t shown for a while, my Williams Bangor & Aroostook EMD BL2 no. 51.  Like all Willams engines, it is a smooth, powerful, well finished model, a great value for conventional operators like me (I paid $159).  I’m on the hunt for more Williams engines, but the supply is diminishing; I don’t think Bachmann is producing any more, based on the scarce offerings on their website.

A bonus today is a cameo appearance of my Lionel Maine Central EMD GP7 no. 562.

John

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John - Got to love me a BL2 and your Bangor and Aroostook looks beautiful in that livery!  Yep Williams produced some very fine locomotives at a terrific price point.   You seemed to have scored a beauty for a great price!  

Happy Switcher Saturday! Lots of fishing this week (it’s the start of peacock bass nesting season here in FL)  so here is one from the archives. It’s our MTH VO1000 hauling boxcars in the early morning hours as the kids make their exit from CBGBs after a long night of partying. The city never sleeps as the subway takes the morning commuters to their jobs. Fun fact. The LIRR Baldwin #410 was actually a DS4-4-660 and not a VO1000, although they look identical. The primary difference is the 660 had a 660 HP diesel engine as opposed to the more powerful 1000 HP engine on the VO 1000 model. -



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Last edited by Strap Hanger

Patrick, I think the price point (MSRP) is what has killed Williams.  The advertised MSRP was about the same as full featured MTH and Lionel engines.  Those of us with some experience in the hobby soon realized the actual selling price from dealers was 40-50% less, but the MSRP probably scared away newbies.

Bachmann’s price strategy made no sense at all!  If they had set the MSRP to reflect what the product offered, I think Williams would be selling well today.

John

Happy Switcher Saturday! Lots of fishing this week (it’s the start of peacock bass nesting season here in FL)  so here is one from the archives. It’s our MTH VO1000 hauling boxcars in the early morning hours as the kids make their exit from CBGBs after a long night of partying. The city never sleeps as the subway takes the morning commuters to their jobs. Fun fact. The LIRR Baldwin #410 was actually a DS4-4-660 and not a VO1000, although they look identical. The primary difference is the 660 had a 660 HP diesel engine as opposed to the more powerful 1000 HP engine on the VO 1000 model. -



Great scene enhanced by the over and under video.

Happy SwSat to all! Here is my kinda rare Lionel #645 NW2 UP switcher just returned from the “Train Shack Shops” in Burbank, CA with a new E-unit installed. The 645 was final year Postwar production (1969) and is much harder to find than its twin sister #635. This model is pristine.

But what I am really showing off is my new mountain backdrop which I installed this past week. I love it!

I found the 13”x32” photo backdrop on Scenic Express’s website. And at the sale price of $13.99, a real deal. I needed two sheets. Very pleased with these backdrops, to say the least! Have a great weekend. IMG_6472

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