Switcher Saturday 07-23-22

Good morning JHZ563!

For today’s SWSAT, I ran two Boston & Maine diesel switchers on my 12’-by-8’ model railroad. The larger engine, B&M GP-7 #1563, was made by MTH Premier (20-2211-1) with PS1. It appeared in the 1999 Volume 3 Catalog at an MSRP of $299.95 and was delivered in December 1999. The smaller engine, B&M GE 44-Ton #117, also was made by MTH Premier (20-20717-1) with PS3. It appeared in the 2017 Volume 1 Catalog at an MSRP of $449.95 and was delivered in July 2017. Quite a price increase from the larger engine to the smaller one!

B&M #1563 was built in February 1952, one of the second group of GP-7s (#1563 to #1571) purchased by the railroad. It was equipped for commuter service, had 1500 horsepower and was set up to run short hood forward. It was transferred to freight service in the mid-1950s.

B&M #117 was built in August 1942 at Erie, PA. It was powered by two Caterpillar V-8 diesel engines each with 180 horsepower. Its permitted maximum speed was 35 MPH. Up to its maximum operating weight of 44 tons, Federal regulations did not require it to have a fireman on board.

MELGAR

Your Yardmaster thought he was logging on early, but he still got “beat to the punch” by JHZ and MELGAR with great posts!

Today he’s featuring the newest switcher in his collection, a Rutland RR GE 70 tonner by Williams.  He ordered it from Trainworld; they shipped it two hours after he ordered it and it arrived in two days!

“No freight train departs without a caboose” on your Yardmaster’s layout, so he’s now on a hunt for a Rutland caboose.  They’re probably hard to find, so any tips from the SwSat nation will be appreciated!

John

Using a few of my switchers (both NYO&W) to test out our new wiring on the modular layout.

Have a safe and great weekend, folks!

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Using a few of my switchers (both NYO&W) to test out our new wiring on the modular layout.

Have a safe and great weekend, folks!

Peter

Peter,

What do you have laying under your track?

SAL

Nice stuff, everyone.  Since there’s no better place for a switcher than a yard, I thought I’d post a few shots of my RS-1 in her natural habitat  -

Happy SWSat!

A hot and sweaty week here in NY as is most of the country. Great pix as always gents. @Steam Crazy- I have the Rutland 70 tonner too. they are nice loco's. Be very careful handling it, the handrails are very
FRA-GIEL-LAY.......Agreed- rolling stock is scarce.
@MELGAR- great background info as always from you. I've been watching a B&M RS-3 on a certain auction site, I may just have to pull the trigger after seeing your GEEP. I like the colors and graphics on the B&M.
@jhz563- cute pup. Halloween already???? Well, the school supplies are out in the stores so I guess it's not too far off. The flying saucer on top of the lava lamp is brilliant! (pun intended..... )
@SIRT- beautiful work as always Steve.
@Putnam Division- Nice lineup Peter. I'm sure the power testing went well.
@Strap Hanger- She looks right at home!

Despite the heat, I haven't been spending much time in the basement running trains lately. I need to change that up though. Too hot and humid to do my normal weekend outdoor chores so the basement is looking like a good alternative. A couple shots of some switchers at rest while the big guys run the rails.

Stay cool and have a good weekend!

Bob

JHZ, thanks for getting us rolling once again.  How old is Socks now?  I seem to remember a picture as a puppy.

Mel, the B&M had some handsome paint schemes.

Peter, I'm staring at a blue Conrail EF4 numbered 4606 just like the one in the picture made by Williams.  Would the one in the picture also be a Williams product?   If so is the 4605 PC also Williams?

Edit.  Peter upon enlarging your photo to confirm the number on the PC EF4 I noted the detailed handrails so I know they are not Williams.  I guess the EF4s must be numbered to match prototypes.

Wow, I see Switcher Saturday is off to a flying start today and everyone has some really cool pictures, beautiful switchers, nice layouts.  It’s simply really Hot, a good time to get in our train rooms and work on our railroads…. Thank you fellows for getting this thread on the roll…. Happy Railroading Everyone

Good morning, SWSAT crew!

Penn Central SW8 8623 (Lionel) runs cab forward as it pulls a train of empties back to the yard:

I was getting ready to head out to a train show in Van Wert, Ohio this morning, but the National Weather Service just issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Van Wert as I was typing.  70 mph winds and torrential rainfall. I think I'll stay put for now.  I'll let you know if I find any deals at the show when I get there.

Tom

A Delaware and Hudson  mother hubbard 2-6-0 switches the Morrison Factory, The Grassek Coopery ane the Hoffmann Brothers Grain Elevator at Danbury Connecticut on the line to Maybrook. I am working on what few videos skills I have, Someday.....

Have a Great Switcher Saturday, here we have a PW Lionel Lehigh Valley Center cab #627 moving some empty coal hoppers.

Looking great everybody!

@RSJB18 Yes Halloween!  I love Christmas,  but I do a 1 Night Only display in the garage on All Hallow's Eve.  It keeps getting better every year.  Christmas in July is a warning shot that it will be here soon.  August is to finish the summer strong with the kids, September school is in swing and outage planning and execution at work gets all encompassing.   October goes by in a blur, the layout is usually still under construction a couple days before hand and wiring somehow always ends up happening the night before.   The best part is the kids putting out all the details and figures.   I am hoping to finally have a push button station this year.

@coach joe, Socks is a little over a year now.  As I am tapping this out on my phone he is curled up on the chair with me - I can't move!  He had a great time barking at rabbits this morning and at me while mowing early to beat the heat. 

Obligatory switcher photo!!

Have a great SWSAT!!! 🚂😉😺

OK- so who am I kidding........order placed.......

More pix and videos will be posted on a future SWSat!

Bob

Bob, another switcher we have in common.

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bob, another switcher we have in common.

John

Thanks John. I've been inspired by Mel's New England rail threads, so lately I've been looking for B&M, MEC, and BAR equipment.

I didn't know anything about Rutland until WbB issued the 70 ton.

Bob

Good morning fellow switcher fans!!   JHZ563 thanks so much for notching out the throttle and getting us rolling this morning.  Also thanks for bringing Socks along for the ride!!  He looks terrific   Your mention of Mrs. Z enjoying Christmas in July movies inspired my post for today.  

MELGAR the GP7 and 44 tonner look great in that livery!! Agreed ... big difference in prices from large to smaller switcher!  Very nice movie too!

Steam Crazy - Got to love that Rutland 70 tonner!!   Nothing like having a new switcher on the property!  I wish WbB would make a 70 tonner in Baltimore and Annapolis livery.  I'd buy one in a NY minute.  A  single GE 70 tonner was purchased by the Baltimore and Annapolis RR.  Purchased new in 1950 when the line changed from electric power to diesel, this locomotive ( number 50 ) now resides at the Baltimore and Ohio Museum in Baltimore.

Peter - nice line up of locomotives.  Got to love the NYO&W!!

RSJB18 - The NYC end cab switcher looks great!

Leapin Larry - Great variety of switchers!!  I love the juxtaposition of the Genset and steam switcher!

      Tom - fabulous movie of your Penn Central switcher on a transfer run and lovely transfer caboose too!! Also I noticed in your background how you painted the wall light switch to blend in with the scene ... awesome!!!

SIRT - your scenes are nothing other than REAL DEAL!!!

I apologize if I missed anyone who may have posted while I was putting this post together.  

FOR TODAY:  I have a winter theme ( and a bit of Christmas )  as it is hot as blazes here in Maryland!  If the weather is extra hot where you are, I hope viewing these photos at least lowers your temperature a fraction, even just for a moment.  Have a delightful weekend everyone ... be safe ... and stop at the water tank often to take on water!

Engineer Mack Waldorf tells fuel truck driver, Ernie Grecco  to " top off the tank!  We got a whole lot of snow plowing to do!  Plus were are pulling a Christmas caboose full of special folks!"  

Rufus filled the GP9  fuel tank.  

Meanwhile back in the caboose, Santa and his friends bring the party outside!

Rotoray and flanger plows are pushed by GP 9s which are not pictured here.

@trumpettrain the song baby its cold outside entered my mind brrrrr

Bob, I think Mel is an inspiration to all of us!

John

Burlington #2328 GP-7 Diesel Locomotive on yard duty today...
(Lionel 6-18892 Postwar Celebration w/TMCC)

Well SwSat fans, great pictures all...I am a little pressed for time today, wife and I are packing for a short vacation.  Family secret...In my military career we moved 11 times in 20 years and (according to the boss) I was always either gone or busy on "Packing Day"  so if I can't ignore this task .  So here are a few archive photo's.  

Here is a Hornby type 101 repainted and modified with a Marx electric motor taking a short mid day passenger run up the main.

Here a Horby (Hatchette) type PO takes a small freight down towards the industrial section of town.  The gondola will likely be loaded but the tanker full of wine ... well who knows?

A Hornby type MO from 1930 moves a few Mettoy freights up past the center of small town.  Its now 11:40 and Officer Sullivan in the background, Small Town's entire police force  is trying to keep traffic moving despite the train tying up every street at once!  He is hungrily looking over at McDonalds and thinking..."Big Mac, Fries, and Coke!"

A Hornby type 101 tank engine pulling a very sad train.  The heavy drought has brought havoc to the cattle ranchers.  This train has two cattle cars to take the few cows ready to market and a hay wagon to try and help feed the rest.

Best wishes to everyone.  Hope all the LCCA folks in Nashville are enjoying their convention.

Don

MTH Railking Proto 3 Philadelphia Bethlehem and New England SW-1 switcher hauling New England boxcars:

Arnold

@RSJB18 posted:

OK- so who am I kidding........order placed.......

More pix and videos will be posted on a future SWSat!

Bob

Nice RS-3, Bob! I’m sure someone had to twist your arm to place that order - Not! If that’s an MTH PS3 from the last couple of years, make sure the model is not one with the wrong smoke unit code.  If it is, it’s  a simple fix, but you don’t want to melt your shell like I did. Other than that, you won’t be disappointed. Sounds and functionality are as good as the RS-1s, you just need to add some engineers to the cab.

During the early days of single prop fly over we see Utacolzona Railroad still working the mines.

Thanks for looking.
Dennis.

Utacolzona Railroad in On30 (2020 - 2022) Update 7/23/22

@Strap Hanger posted:

Nice RS-3, Bob! I’m sure someone had to twist your arm to place that order - Not! If that’s an MTH PS3 from the last couple of years, make sure the model is not one with the wrong smoke unit code.  If it is, it’s  a simple fix, but you don’t want to melt your shell like I did. Other than that, you won’t be disappointed. Sounds and functionality are as good as the RS-1s, you just need to add some engineers to the cab.

Other than the cat head butting my hand off the computer keyboard, no limbs were injured in the completion of this purchase. 🐈🐈🐈

This is a PS2 model from 2000 so the smoke unit should be good to go.

Thanks

JHZ563 - As usual, thanks for starting us off. SWSAT is the high point of my week.

RSJB18 and Steam Crazy - Those GE 70-Ton models look very nice. Do they run well at slow speeds?

RSJB18 - Somehow, I missed that MTH Boston & Maine RS-3 model. I have a Weaver version but I will be watching for an MTH version to become available.

Steam Crazy - Thanks for the compliment.

Tom Densel - I'm impressed by your layout, modeling and videos. Would like to see an overview of the layout.

Murnane - Always glad to see you on SWSAT. You made it a success for a long time.

trumptrain - good scenes.

A good weekend to all.

MELGAR

@Robert Cushman posted:

Peter,

What do you have laying under your track?

The yard was originally built nearly 10 years ago. It is Gargraves on (I believe) foam roadbed. It was ballasted once with our Woodland Scenics 3:1 coarse gray/cinders mixture and redone in 2021 with mostly cinders. Since it is a yard, we tried to keep the intertrack levels relatively flat and equal.

Peter

Mel, I suspect you know Williams engines run like rabbits!  My 70 tonner stops and starts abruptly, like other Williams engines I own.  I solve this problem by putting on a train that is heavy enough to increase the starting voltage.  You still need to be very gentle with the throttle, however.

The motors in Williams engines are wired in parallel.  I heard some folks slow them down by wiring them in series.  The tech I use rewired my B&M BL2 in series, but he said it ran too slow so he changed it back to parallel.

I consider this a minor problem.  Williams engines are still a great value for conventional operators, in my opinion.

John

@coach joe posted:

JHZ, thanks for getting us rolling once again.  How old is Socks now?  I seem to remember a picture as a puppy.

Mel, the B&M had some handsome paint schemes.

Peter, I'm staring at a blue Conrail EF4 numbered 4606 just like the one in the picture made by Williams.  Would the one in the picture also be a Williams product?   If so is the 4605 PC also Williams?

Edit.  Peter upon enlarging your photo to confirm the number on the PC EF4 I noted the detailed handrails so I know they are not Williams.  I guess the EF4s must be numbered to match prototypes.

All are DCS PS3 engines.

The two electrics usually pull my Juice train from Potomac Yard to North Jersey......

Peter

@MELGAR posted:

Tom Densel - I'm impressed by your layout, modeling and videos. Would like to see an overview of the layout.

MELGAR

Thanks Mel.

Here are some pics of the layout in general.  The layout is in a 10 1/2' x 12' room.  It is "G" shaped with a lift-out bridge connecting the upper part of the "G" with the lower part.  All on one level, no grades.  It isn't actually all that great.  I have quite a few vignettes that look good up close, but when viewed as part of the whole are just so-so.

Tom

Tom. Looks good to me.  Great for a small room. 
Dennis.

Tom,

Very nice-looking layout all around. The track plan is interesting and, in my opinion, it has a good ratio of track to scenery and structures. I also like the structures and the individual scenes. Thanks for posting.

MELGAR

@Murnane posted:

Burlington #2328 GP-7 Diesel Locomotive on yard duty today...
(Lionel 6-18892 Postwar Celebration w/TMCC)

Always great to get a visit from the OG switcher Saturday showrunner!

I second that!

@Tom Densel posted:

Thanks Mel.

Here are some pics of the layout in general.  The layout is in a 10 1/2' x 12' room.  It is "G" shaped with a lift-out bridge connecting the upper part of the "G" with the lower part.  All on one level, no grades.  It isn't actually all that great.  I have quite a few vignettes that look good up close, but when viewed as part of the whole are just so-so.

Tom

You are too modest Tom. I think you've done a great job in a small space.

@Murnane- Thanks for stopping by Rich!

Bob

@Tom Densel posted:

Thanks Mel.

Here are some pics of the layout in general.  The layout is in a 10 1/2' x 12' room.  It is "G" shaped with a lift-out bridge connecting the upper part of the "G" with the lower part.  All on one level, no grades.  It isn't actually all that great.  I have quite a few vignettes that look good up close, but when viewed as part of the whole are just so-so.

Tom

Tom,

That's outstanding.  Good to finally see an overall view.  Excellent crossing, tower, and signal placement (signals being one of my favorite things ). 

A story for you...in a discussion I had many years ago at York with Lenny Dean about Lionel's display layouts; Lenny said that if you want to keep  customer's attention use at least two crossings in your track plan.

Regards,

Lou N