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Hello switcher fans!!  Welcome to Switcher Saturday!!!  Switcher Saturday ( SwSat)  is THE thread which celebrates with 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 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!

For this edition of SwSat I present to you " Cows and Calfs " .... A unique switcher combination.  How the term " cow and calf" came to be seems to be a mystery.  At least I couldn't find any  verifiable info as to where the term originated.  The term of " cow and calf", however, only applies to this unique switchers combination.    

Just as EMD refers to it's carbody diesels as F units ( or E units ) and their cab-less mates as "Booster Units" or "B Units" the Cow is the unit with the cab and the cab-less calf ( booster ) follows the Cow.  It's worth noting that the Cow and Calf both contain prime movers.  Calfs are not to be confused with "slugs" which are a different animal, so to speak .. lol!  Although some slugs may look like calfs from the outside, the slug only contains traction motors and are heavily ballasted with concrete to aid in traction while the calf contains both a prime mover ( just as a locomotive with the end cab ) and traction motors.  Slugs are also visibly different from "Calfs"  because slugs don't have exhaust stacks.  The Western Maryland railroad referred to the two slugs that each worked in tandem with BL2 numbers 81 and 82 as "Trailers".

Cow - Calf combinations were used mostly in yard service, pushing long cuts of cars over the hump, and in transfer runs between yards.  The Union Pacific even used them in helper service until the late 1950's.

According to information that I found, the first Cow - Calf combination was built in 1936 by EMD for the Illinois Centra RR.  It was probably more of an experimental unit.  In 1940 EMD produced the first true "Cow - Calf " combination.  It was designated as the T2 ( T for "Transfer ) and was based on the 1,000 hp NW2 .  It contained a 12 cylinder 567 prime mover.  ( The 1936 version build for IC used a Winton diesel prime mover )   This model went again to the IC who liked the model so much that they purchased 3 more sets.  

It's also worth noting that in 1949  C&O purchased a 3 unit set ( Cow + Calf + Calf ).  These three units sets are known as a "Herd " and again EMD was the manufacturer.  

Other locomotive companies also manufactured Cow - Calf combinations but none were as successful as EMD.  

My photos this week are of the three sets of Cow - Calf combinations that run on the Free State Junction Railway.   These Cow - Calfs pull transfer runs primarily between East and West yards.  ( East Yard is located in the bordering town of " Nowhere" and West Yard is in the neighboring town of "Somewhere". ) Hopefully, it won't be long before they'll be making drops offs and pickups in the new "Midway Yard" which will actually be located in Patsburg.  Interestingly enough none of the railroads of which I'm showing "Cow- Calf" combinations ever rostered Cow - Calfs ... LOL!  Oh the joys of imagination & model railroading!"  NOTE: All photos are of MTH RailKing models.

Have a FUN - TASTIC and safe weekend everyone!!  Keep those switches aligned, tend to your switch lists, and green signals to all!!  See ya next week right here at Switcher Saturday!!  


Canton Railroad SW 1500 and a SW9 Cow - Calf and a Maryland & Pennsylvania ( Ma & Pa ) SW-1 and SW9 Cow - Calf   combination on the EL.  ( Click on photo to enlarge for better clarity. )

IMG_5909

A Baltimore & Annapolis Cow - Calf combo of SW9's join the others.  

IMG_5910IMG_5950IMG_5942IMG_5936=

The above photos are taken in the uncompleted part of Patsburg.  

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Last edited by trumpettrain
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Photos and video show my Railking Imperial model (30-1866-1) of Raritan River Rail Road #20, a USRA 0-6-0 steam switcher with PS3 priced at $479.95.

The model has several upgrades from ordinary Railking steam locomotive models including a real tender coal load, engineer and fireman figures in the cab, chains on the tender trucks, and – on the boiler – a bell, whistle and relief valve that appear to be made of brass. Some details are cast-in rather than separately-applied but the model looks quite good in my opinion.

The Raritan River Rail Road was a 12.3 mile short line that operated in Central New Jersey between New Brunswick and South Amboy beginning in 1888. It became part of Conrail in 1980.

The RRRR bought 7 U.S. Army surplus USRA 0-6-0 steam switcher locomotives – numbers 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 – in 1947 and ’48. They were built by Lima in 1944 and scrapped in 1954. My model – Raritan River #20 – was previously U.S. Army #4055.

Photographs on the website of the Raritan River Rail Road Historical Society do not show builder’s plates on these locomotives and, true to prototype, the model also has none.

Photos and videos show my “New Jersey Train,” including two CNJ boxcars and a CNJ caboose on the O-36 inner loop of my 12’-by-8’ layout.

MELGAR

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Good morning, SwSat Nation!  Every Saturday is a great day thanks to SwSat, but today is particularly good for me because I’m off to the Big E train show in W Springfield, MA!  If I get really lucky, I’ll find a new switcher to show you next Saturday.

Patrick, thanks for the kickoff and education on cows, calfs, slugs and herds.  I knew nothing about slugs and herds, but I do know there are no slugs on the SwSat crew!

The inspiration for my post today is from Bob and his three Lionel RS11s.  I only have one - the Delaware and Hudson - it would be fun to add another to my collection today!  Here is my D&H Alco RS11 no. 5001.

John

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@Steam Crazy posted:

Good morning, SwSat Nation!  Every Saturday is a great day thanks to SwSat, but today is particularly good for me because I’m off to the Big E train show in W Springfield, MA!  If I get really lucky, I’ll find a new switcher to show you next Saturday.

Patrick, thanks for the kickoff and education on cows, calfs, slugs and herds.  I knew nothing about slugs and herds, but I do know there are no slugs on the SwSat crew!

The inspiration for my post today is from Bob and his three Lionel RS11s.  I only have one - the Delaware and Hudson - it would be fun to add another to my collection today!  Here is my D&H Alco RS11 no. 5001.

John

IMG_0887

John -  I agree, there are no slugs on the SwSat crew ... and that's for sure!  

That D&H RS11 looks pretty darn fine!!!  I love the D&H livery too!  Yep Bob RSJB18 has quite the influence when he showed his 3 ALCO RS11s.  I'm tempted to find an RS11 as well.  With the RS11 being out shopped by ALCO in 1956, it arrives on the railroad scene at the end of the transition era, which is the era I model.  Thanks for the added inspiration!   ALSO - I hope you find a new switcher at the show at the Big E show in W. Springfield, MA today!!  I hope you have BIG fun!

Happy SWSat!

Patrick and John- always happy to be a bad influence.....
Have fun at the Big E today for anyone who is going.

I had my fun at Trainstock last Saturday! Ben and the crew were gracious hosts as always. The room was packed when we arrived which goes to show how the OGR world feels about the club. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that it's a shame to see that layout come down but Ben is optimistic about the future. He said that they were close to a deal for a new location.

2025-01-18 13.14.23

Inspired by another thread running about ALCO RS units, I'll share my RS-1's. The distinctive cab overhangs gives the RS-1 a unique look that is one of my favorites. Too bad that ALCO eliminated this design on later models.

First up is my LIRR model by MTH w/PS3. The model is painted in Pennsy DGLE.

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My other 2 models are Atlas w/TMCC. Another LIRR in World's Fair paint and NYC lightning stripe.
The detailing on these is second to none.

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Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Bob

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@trumpettrain - Patrick, before I post my switcher for today, I have a question for you since you obviously have a great background on the "Cow and Calf" and other variants.  My question simply is...What is the economic benefit of a Cow and Calf?  Now I understood the benefit of the Slug without a second prime mover (by the way I had not known the difference between Calf and Slug before your post today) as you save fuel and expense in purchasing, installing, and caring for another prime mover.  However, if a Calf is in fact complete with prime mover, then it seems to be a complete loco except for the cab controls. Given that is the case what is its economic benefit as all you are eliminating are the control stand functions and some cab exterior sheet metal.     After all one can "chain" two complete locomotives together and operate them both from the lead cab as we see in virtually every road diesel grouping today.   It would seem that this approach,  while perhaps marginally more expensive, would be an advantage in operational flexibility as each locomotive could also operate independently if required.  Anyway, if you have the time, I would look forward to your view.

Thanks Don McErlean

OK after a long response in a question to Patrick, here is my "Switcher Saturday" response today.  I am excited to say that this is a brand NEW switcher for me.  It is a Williams by Bachmann, Western Pacific, NW-2.  Candidly I was really impressed with the level of detail and the expertise of the finishing on this locomotive, I think Williams did a first rate job.  The "round" handrails vice a flat metal stamping, the embossed detail in the plastic shell, and the 3 color paint really make this loco stand out to me.  Note that it also has TWO motors, prime mover sounds, bell, horn, and operating couplers on both ends.  Williams also included two spare light bulbs for the lamps and spare traction tires, even though their estimate of tire life is about 100 hrs.

Williams WP NW-2 Side ViewWilliams WP NW-2 Front ViewWilliams WP NW-2 Rear View

I really didn't need (hey how many of us NEED any of this stuff anyway )another locomotive, but the NW-2 is a great size for my small layout.  The loco is able to use 0-27 curves so it will run on my smaller inner loop.  I will be honest, the other thing that made up my mind is that this loco lists for $363 and it was offered for $150! or less than 1/2 price as an end of year sale.  I just couldn't pass it up.  No I haven't run it yet, I have been a bit tied up with work and home chores but that will happen later today.  Hopefully I can post a video at a later date.

Best Wishes to All

Don

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Thank you Patrick for all the information about cow, calf, slug, herd!  That's also great information on the Raritan River Railroad, Mel!  Great switchers, everyone!!

I believe I have posted this one before, but am sure it was right after acquiring it a couple years ago.  It is an MTH PS2 0-6-0 in Pittsburgh and West Virginia markings.  I have no idea if it has a prototype, and don't want to know.  I like it and don't want to spoil it if I find out it doesn't have a prototype. 

Here it is at the engine house.

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Later, it is pulling a string of coal hoppers.

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Have a great weekend, everyone!!

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Well here it is the first shift winding down; and I’m just getting started. I didn’t get to the train room today so I’m reaching into the archives. Here’s a Naval Weapons Station (NWS) EARLE  Beep moving two coal hoppers off the dock, and heading to the powerhouse.
@trumppettrain thanks for the tutorial, until today I thought that RRs created Calfs and slugs out of wrecks.

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Last edited by pennsyfan

Hello switcher fans!!  Welcome to Switcher Saturday!!!  Switcher Saturday ( SwSat)  is THE thread which celebrates with 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 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!

For this edition of SwSat I present to you " Cows and Calfs " .... A unique switcher combination.  How the term " cow and calf" came to be seems to be a mystery.  At least I couldn't find any  verifiable info as to where the term originated.  The term of " cow and calf", however, only applies to switchers.  

Just as EMD refers to it's carbody diesels as F units ( or E units ) and their cab-less mates as "Booster Units" or "B Units" the Cow is the unit with the cab and the cab-less calf ( booster ) follows the Cow.  It's worth noting that the Cow and Calf both contain prime movers.  Calfs are not to be confused with "slugs" which are a different animal, so to speak .. lol!  Although some slugs may look like calfs from the outside, the slug only contains traction motors and is heavily ballasted with concrete to aid in traction while the calf contains both a prime mover ( just as a locomotive with a cab ) and traction motors.  Slugs are also visibly different because they don't have exhaust stacks.  The Western Maryland railroad referred to the two slugs that each worked in tandem with BL2 number 81 and 82 as "Trailers".

Cow - Calf combinations were used mostly in yard service, pushing long cuts of cars over the hump, and in transfer runs between yards.  The Union Pacific even used them in helper service until the late 1950's.

According to information that I found, the first Cow - Calf combination was built in 1936 by EMD for the Illinois Centra RR.  It was probably more of an experimental unit.  In 1940 EMD produced the first true "Cow - Calf " combination.  It was designated as the T2 ( TR for "Transfer ) and was based on the 1,000 hp NW2 .  It contained a 12 cylinder 567 prime mover.  ( The 1936 version build for IC used a Winton diesel prime mover )   This model went again to the IC who liked the model so much they purchased 3 more sets.  

It's also worth noting that in 1949  C&O purchased a 3 unit set ( Cow + Calf = Calf ).  These sets are known as a "Herd " and again EMD was the manufacturer.  

Other locomotive companies also manufactured Cow - Calf combinations but none were as successful as EMD.  

My photos this week are of the three sets of Cow - Calf combinations that run on the Free State Junction Railway.   These Cow - Calfs pull transfer runs primarily between East and West yards.  ( East Yard is located in the bordering town of " Nowhere" and West Yard is in the neighboring town of "Somewhere". ) Hopefully, it won't be long before they'll be making drops offs and pickups in the new "Midway Yard" which will actually be located in Patsburg.  Interestingly enough none of the railroads of which I'm showing "Cow- Calf" combinations ever rostered Cow - Calfs ... LOL!  Oh the joys of imagination & model railroading!"  NOTE: All photos are of MTH RailKing models.

Have a FUN - TASTIC and safe weekend everyone!!  Keep those switches aligned, tend to your switch lists, and green signals to all!!  See ya next week right here at Switcher Saturday!!  


Canton Railroad SW 1500 and a SW9 Cow - Calf and a Maryland & Pennsylvania ( Ma & Pa ) SW-1 and SW9 combination on the EL.  ( Click on photo to enlarge for better clarity. )

IMG_5909

A Baltimore & Annapolis Cow - Calf combo of SW9's join the others.  

IMG_5910IMG_5950IMG_5942IMG_5936=

The above photos are taken in the uncompleted part of Patsburg.  

Great stuff and tutorial, Patrick!  Suggestion: since you have a “Nowhere Yard,” you should rename another one “Erehwon. “ That would make a great roundtrip.

I was offline all day on Saturday and missed Switcher Saturday in real time. I was at the Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA with my son. A huge show. I started attending back in 1998 but missed several years during Covid. Absolutely terrific and quite a bit more O gauge than in past years - but I bought only reading material - no trains. Had a conversation with Bill Serratelli of Atlas O and Rich Foster of MTH. Some of my pre-orders from them may be arriving soon. I thought there were some pretty good prices on O gauge locomotives. Lionel displayed unpainted models of their latest high-end steamers. I hope that @Steam Crazy found a switcher to take home.

MELGAR

Great stuff and tutorial, Patrick!  Suggestion: since you have a “Nowhere Yard,” you should rename another one “Erehwon. “ That would make a great roundtrip.

Thanks Dave!  I very much appreciate your suggestion for the name change.  The order has been given and now Somewhere Yard is no more and now bears the name "Erehwon Yard".  

@MELGAR posted:

I was offline all day on Saturday and missed Switcher Saturday in real time. I was at the Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA with my son. A huge show. I started attending back in 1998 but missed several years during Covid. Absolutely terrific and quite a bit more O gauge than in past years - but I bought only reading material - no trains. Had a conversation with Bill Serratelli of Atlas O and Rich Foster of MTH. Some of my pre-orders from them may be arriving soon. I thought there were some pretty good prices on O gauge locomotives. Lionel displayed unpainted models of their latest high-end steamers. I hope that @Steam Crazy found a switcher to take home.

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

I was offline all day on Saturday and missed Switcher Saturday in real time. I was at the Railrad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA with my son. A huge show. I started attending back in 1998 but missed several years during Covid. Absolutely terrific and quite a bit more O gauge than in past years - but I bought only reading material - no trains. Had a conversation with Bill Serratelli of Atlas O and Rich Foster of MTH. Some of my pre-orders from them may be arriving soon. I thought there were some pretty good prices on O gauge locomotives. Lionel displayed unpainted models of their latest high-end steamers. I hope that @Steam Crazy found a switcher to take home.

MELGAR

What a great day Mel!!  I'm glad to hear you and your son got to hang out at the Big E Show!!   Did you happen to pre-order the new Atlas O Consolidation?  If so did you get an estimate on arrival.  I have one on pre-order and was told April-May when I spoke with the Atlas O rep at York this past fall.  

I'll bet you saw a whole bunch of switchers today?  

What a great day Mel!!  I'm glad to hear you and your son got to hang out at the Big E Show!!   Did you happen to pre-order the new Atlas O Consolidation?  If so did you get an estimate on arrival.  I have one on pre-order and was told April-May when I spoke with the Atlas O rep at York this past fall.  

I'll bet you saw a whole bunch of switchers today?  

Patrick,

I spoke with Bill Serratelli at Atlas O and he said April-May. There will also be upgrades compared to the Weaver versions. Footplates with diamond treads and cords for the whistle and bell similar to what MTH does on Premier steamers. I suggested that they rerun the Atlas O USRA 0-6-0 switcher with PS3 electronics. That was a good-looking model but the tether didn't work well on the one I had.

MELGAR

@trumpettrain - Patrick, before I post my switcher for today, I have a question for you since you obviously have a great background on the "Cow and Calf" and other variants.  My question simply is...What is the economic benefit of a Cow and Calf?  Now I understood the benefit of the Slug without a second prime mover (by the way I had not known the difference between Calf and Slug before your post today) as you save fuel and expense in purchasing, installing, and caring for another prime mover.  However, if a Calf is in fact complete with prime mover, then it seems to be a complete loco except for the cab controls. Given that is the case what is its economic benefit as all you are eliminating are the control stand functions and some cab exterior sheet metal.     After all one can "chain" two complete locomotives together and operate them both from the lead cab as we see in virtually every road diesel grouping today.   It would seem that this approach,  while perhaps marginally more expensive, would be an advantage in operational flexibility as each locomotive could also operate independently if required.  Anyway, if you have the time, I would look forward to your view.

Thanks Don McErlean

Don -thanks for the question!  You make some really sound points.  

In all honesty, I really can't answer with any factual evidence as to the economic benefits of calf vs. slug.  I think the railroads that bought cow'calfs would have that answer and sadly, they aren't around anymore.  Perhaps a real life railroader who worked around these switch locomotives could chime in here.  

I do know that railroads didn't purchase EMD cow/calf units in large numbers ... probably due to the EMD cow/calf  specialized purpose of being transfer units ... pulling heavy trains between yards, usually in urban areas and pushing long cuts of cars over humps in classification yards.    I assume because the calf could produce more horsepower and tractive effort than  a slug which was only good for tractive effort at very slow speeds.  It's notable that the EMD cow/calf units had a top rated speed of 65 mph ... not that it would pull a transfer freight at a high speed ... but perhaps at 25- 35 mph depending on distance between yards?  

I don't know what the tractive effort of a slug was rated and I'm sure there are variables involved  ( as different railroads may have used various kinds of traction motors  and "kit bashed " slugs in their own shops ).  

Although in comparison to other types of diesel locomotives sold by EMD, cow/calfs were not big sellers, even with EMD's excellent track record.  Of the several models ( each an upgrade of the one before )  of cow/calfs produced by EMD over the years the model TR2 sold the most sets ... there were 36 sets sold.  The IC, Santa Fe, Union Pacific,  CN&W, Southern Railway, CB&Q, Chicago Great Western, Milwaukee Road, and the Belt Railway of Chicago were all purchasers of various cow/calf models.    Oliver Iron Mining Corp was also a purchaser.  

There were other locomotive manufactures who sold similar models but sales were lower than EMD.  EMD was the most successful sales wise.  

To sum it up, my assumption is the cow - calf combination offered  greater horsepower and tractive effort than did the locomotive - slug combination.  

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