It's ... SWITCHER SATURDAY!!! February 3, 2024 Edition

Boston & Albany #53 is a Lionel model (6-28702) of a USRA 0-8-0 steam switcher with TMCC made in 2006 at MSRP $649.99. Lionel and MTH made excellent models of the USRA 0-8-0 steam switcher design developed by the United States Railroad Administration during World War 1, when the US railroad system was under government control. The Lionel model’s boiler is fully round on the underside with a prototypical space between the boiler and the frame.

B&A #53 was a U-3b class switcher built by Lima in April 1921.  The engine had 25-by-28 cylinders, 51-inch driving wheels, weighed 219,000 pounds (about 364,000 pounds with loaded tender), and produced 51,040 pounds of tractive effort at 175 pounds-per-square-inch boiler pressure. When the B&A dieselized in 1951, #53 was renumbered to New York Central #7725 and ran on the Harlem Division until retirement in January 1955.

175 USRA 0-8-0 locomotives were produced during the 1917 to 1920 period of USRA control, and 1200 copies were produced afterward.

Photos/videos show #53 on my 10’-by-5’ layout (just an O-54 oval of Atlas track) pulling B&A boxcar #55018 (Weaver/CMP), New York Central boxcar #161523 (MTH), and Boston & Albany wood caboose #1179 (also MTH). I often run New York Central and Boston & Albany locomotives and cars together because the B&A was leased by the NYC from 1900 to 1951, and became an NYC subsidiary in 1951.

My interest in the Boston & Albany Railroad began in the 1960s, when I attended a school adjacent to the tracks of the B&A’s Grand Junction Branch in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I took the two photos of the tracks at Massachusetts Avenue (see below) on a visit to campus in February 2017. The location is about three miles east of the B&A Beacon Park freight yards in Allston, MA. During the steam era, B&A 0-8-0 switchers such as #53 hauled freight trains past this spot – more than a decade before I arrived on the scene.

MELGAR

MTH PS2 Philadelphia Bethlehem & New England diesel switcher crossing the George Washingmachine Bridge:

Arnold

CP MP15 by Atlas is moving a string of cars.

Happy Switcher Saturday!

Good morning, SwSat nation!  It’s a really good morning here in Central MA, because the sun is out for the first time in two weeks!

The inspiration for today’s post comes from the wonderful Maine scenes posted by our good friend from.Finland, Johan.  The two intrepid rail fan/photographers you’ve seen before, Tom and Jerry, have traveled to Hallowell, ME, to catch some MEC action.

They barely got their cameras set up before MEC EMD GP7 no. 562 rolled by with a northbound local freight, followed by a southbound consist of covered hoppers headed by MEC EMD F3 no. 671.  No 671 is a postwar Lionel model, with a custom painted shell, that I picked up at a NETCA train show.

John

Well Patrick, your PW NW2 about looks like she just came out of the box! A fitting rescuer for that little C-16 Docksider! Thanks for getting us rolling today. My imagination has conjured a newly-restored ESPN RS-1 #57 (Ex-WATC #57) on the point with a restored PRR Congressional consist, including a dome car for some great views (and great beer!) heading out of Altoona on an out-and-back excursion around Horseshoe Curve:

The RS-1's an MTH PS-3 running in dcc mode (so I had to shoot "one-handed") and the passenger consist is WbB's reproduction of Lionel's PW PRR Congressional consist that came with the "1955 Outfit" that included the 2340-1 PRR GG-1 in Tuscan. Have a great SWSAT everyone!

@tnkMarx posted:

CP MP15 by Atlas is moving a string of cars.

Happy Switcher Saturday!

I think your video "trimmed" more than you expected, Mark. It only runs about a second or two.

steam crazy.   Love those Maine Central colors. Also nice job with tinplate track. Gives me inspiration to do same with mine

Happy SWSat!

Have a great time at the show Patrick. Pick up a few switchers for the boys too!

This week a Williams GP9 is pulling a pair of custom hoppers.  These Williams (and WbB) engines are great conventional runners. Not sure if I rewired the motors in series but I'll have to check next time it's on the rails.
The Delaware and Hudson scheme is one of the best out there IMHO. I bought the engine from Trainz and the Lionel hoppers came from a forum member.

Strange sight here in the northeast today....there's this big bright orange thing in the sky, and the sky is a strange blue color today. If anyone has any information as to the cause of this anomaly, please let me know......

Have a great weekend.

Bob

@Steam Crazy posted:

Good morning, SwSat nation!  It’s a really good morning here in Central MA, because the sun is out for the first time in two weeks!

The inspiration for today’s post comes from the wonderful Maine scenes posted by our good friend from.Finland, Johan.  The two intrepid rail fan/photographers you’ve seen before, Tom and Jerry, have traveled to Hallowell, ME, to catch some MEC action.

They barely got their cameras set up before MEC EMD GP7 no. 562 rolled by with a northbound local freight, followed by a southbound consist of covered hoppers headed by MEC EMD F3 no. 671.  No 671 is a postwar Lionel model, with a custom painted shell, that I picked up at a NETCA train show.

John

John,

Good afternoon from Finland. Thanks John. Now these pictures also have the opposite effect, so yes, they motivate me a lot. I've also become obsessed with making something from Augusta into my module layout. I would estimate that in a few months I can post some pictures related to Augusta. 🤝

Johan

Atlas RRRR #2 and 3.

Happy Switcher Saturday. Boston & Maine ALCO S2 #1264 is bringing a brand new pulling power to Boston passenger traffic.

Once again great start trumptrain we tip our hat to you Nice photos all! God Bless America!

Good morning SWSAT crew!

Penn Central SW8 8623 (Lionel) is busy switching an industry on the Killbridge Junction Railroad:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

Tom D,

Great video today!  I have admired your trains and layout for a long time, but have failed to tell you that!

John

@Bill Swatos posted:

I think your video "trimmed" more than you expected, Mark. It only runs about a second or two.

Thanks!  I hope I got it changed to a picture now.

Railking

Another great Tom Densel video!

MELGAR

@Tom Densel posted:

Good morning SWSAT crew!

Penn Central SW8 8623 (Lionel) is busy switching an industry on the Killbridge Junction Railroad:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

Tom where is the ACY?!  Ron

Here's the classic and reliable K-line A5 hauling coal! Hard to tell, but I replaced the smoke element with a Digikey 20ohm resistor. Much, much better steam at lower speeds

With the Fruit Growers Express large manufacturing facility located next to the RH&P in Alexandria Viginia, the RF&P switchers spent many hours sorting and stacking empties while they waited for the trip back south on either Seaboard or Southern.  The SW-1200 moves some reefers past the local park.

MAINE CENTRAL Alco S2 pulls a string of New England boxcars through the interchange yard.

Alco S2 by MTH. PS1 boxcars by Weaver. Northeastern caboose MTH.

Inspiration from MELGAR, BAR GP7 #63 and the rest of the Switcher Saturday contributors.

Happy Switch Sat!

Today I have my 2 B&M BEEPs

Take Care, Ray

Here is my favorite switcher, the Kline Alco S-2 twin motor Santa Fe.  Followed by a PW Lionel Veteran, the BN GP-7 #2328 from 1955.

@ctr posted:

MAINE CENTRAL Alco S2 pulls a string of New England boxcars through the interchange yard.

Alco S2 by MTH. PS1 boxcars by Weaver. Northeastern caboose MTH.

Inspiration from MELGAR, BAR GP7 #63 and the rest of the Switcher Saturday contributors.

CTR,

Very nice video & beautiful Maine train.

Johan

Thanks for the kind words, John and Mel!

Here's a quick shot of AC&Y 202 doing some switching per Ron's request:

Tom

Wvm, thanks for the compliment on my track!  Please contact me if I can offer any advice on your track project.

John

@RSJB18 posted:

Strange sight here in the northeast today....there's this big bright orange thing in the sky, and the sky is a strange blue color today. If anyone has any information as to the cause of this anomaly, please let me know......

Have a great weekend.

Bob

If this is what you mean, we just took this picture. We’ve never seen this before since living here. We are in eastern MA.

Gene

@RayKay posted:

Happy Switch Sat!

Today I have my 2 B&M BEEPs

Take Care, Ray

I did not know RMT did B&M BEEPS...........

THE HUNT BEGINS!

@Tom Densel- add me to the chorus. Your videos are always well done.

@BAR GP7 #63- That's some major power for the B&M. WOW!

Bob

@Genemed posted:

If this is what you mean, we just took this picture. We’ve never seen this before since living here. We are in eastern MA.

Gene

It sure has been a dreary few weeks. Time to soak up some rays!

Terrific photos, videos, and information everyone!!!! 

I'm now getting home from the  Great Scale show after having stopped for Chinese dinner and to pick up Barney from the dog sitter.    I found a new switcher and the new switcher reveal party will be at next weeks's SwSat.  I "may" even go back tomorrow, since my ticket is good for both Sat & Sun,  and purchase another switcher too.  

It was a great show!!!  A good amount of O gauge was represented IMHO! Attendance was heavy!  I saw LOTS of folks carrying their purchases out through the parking lot ... looked like a substantial number of engines being purchased.  Every vendor I spoke with said they were having really good sales.    I saw lots of switchers ( and other locomotives & rolling stock ) at good prices too!!    

Here is a photo I snapped of a few PW switchers.  

Although photos don't seem to represent the vastness of the show, here are some anyway.  These photos are of about 75 percent of the O guage representation.

@RSJB18 posted:

I did not know RMT did B&M BEEPS...........

THE HUNT BEGINS!

@Tom Densel- add me to the chorus. Your videos are always well done.

@BAR GP7 #63- That's some major power for the B&M. WOW!

Bob

Bob,

Thank you. That SW-1 is wonderful, unfortunately I still don't have one.

Johan

Speeder!

Just got 'er yesterday!

@Bill Swatos posted:

Speeder!

Just got 'er yesterday!

Looks good Bill. I'm going to attempt to add sound to mine one day. GunrunnerJohn did one of his so the board does fit.
Have fun.

Bob

@ctr posted:

MAINE CENTRAL Alco S2 pulls a string of New England boxcars through the interchange yard.

Alco S2 by MTH. PS1 boxcars by Weaver. Northeastern caboose MTH.

Inspiration from MELGAR, BAR GP7 #63 and the rest of the Switcher Saturday contributors.

Great train! Especially like the SOM lettered for Potatoes, not Products! Been looking for that guy for a long while!

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Bob,

Thank you. That SW-1 is wonderful, unfortunately I still don't have one.

Johan

I have 2, both MTH w/PS2. They are perfect for tight layouts like mine.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I have 2, both MTH w/PS2. They are perfect for tight layouts like mine.

Bob

Bob,

Wow. I recently tried to scrounge for one on Ebay but unfortunately my bid didn't win. 😔

Johan

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Bob,

Wow. I recently tried to scrounge for one on Ebay but unfortunately my bid didn't win. 😔

Johan

I found one on Trainz, and one from a Forum member. Got lucky on both.
Trainz has a couple listed but not B&M or MEC.

@RSJB18 posted:

I found one on Trainz, and one from a Forum member. Got lucky on both.
Trainz has a couple listed but not B&M or MEC.

Bob,

Thank you for the information. One day I will find what I want.

Johan

@Bill Swatos- Been thinking of getting one of the Lionel Speeders...can they pull any cars at all?  Do they even have couplers?

Thanks

Don