SWITCHER SATURDAY 12/16/23 Edition!!

Good morning Patrick!

And best wishes for a long and successful run as the proprietor of Switcher Saturday.

Long Island Rail Road B-6 0-6-0 steam switcher is an MTH Railking Imperial model (30-1710-1) delivered in 2017 with PS3 at MSRP $449.95. MTH Imperial steamers have upgraded features not found in the Railking line such as a real coal load, legible builder’s plate, engineer and fireman figures, and tender truck safety chains.

I bought LIRR #170 recently from forum sponsor Trainz. Its condition was listed as “like new” and “sparingly run” but one that could be “improved with a gentle and thorough cleaning.” When the model arrived, I removed a small amount of accumulated dust around the running boards, but otherwise it was like new. I’ve bought several locomotives from Trainz and found their descriptions to be accurate. They also have a good selection of engines from which to choose.

The Long Island Rail Road was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1900 so that the PRR could run its trains directly into New York City. Subsequently, the PRR leased and sold various types of locomotives to the LIRR. The B-6 was the standard PRR 0-6-0 heavy steam switcher with more than 350 built between 1902 and 1913. However, only one or two superheated B-6s locomotives, including B-6sb #2015, are known to have run on Long Island. Instead, the PRR sent to the LIRR at least twenty B-8 0-6-0 locomotives that were not superheated and less powerful.

The MTH model represents a superheated B-6sb, of which 238 were built between 1916 and 1920. The engines weighed 180,300 pounds (tender not included), developed 36,140 pounds tractive effort, and had 56-inch driving wheels.

Why was this MTH model numbered #170? Records show that #170 was an 0-6-0 Class B-53sb steam switcher built by Baldwin for the LIRR in 1913. It was not a PRR design and did not come from the PRR. #2015 would have been a more realistic number, and that is what K-Line used on its B-6sb model.

Photos and videos show the engine on my 10’-by-5’ layout. It runs very smoothly – 20 scale miles-per-hour in the first video and 16 scale miles-per-hour in the second.

MELGAR

My NY&O 44 tonner helps out with track cleaning, getting the weekend ready for the weekend’s festivities ……

Have a great and safe weekend, everyone!

Peter

MTH PS3 Boston & Maine diesel switcher rolling down the line hauling boxcars and caboose:

Arnold

Here's a SWSAT mainstay, Lionel's conventional ALCo 0-6-0 saddle tank (ca. 2005) in NYC livery delivering an excursion consist of MTH RK NYC heavyweights to a waiting MPC-era "Joshua Lionel Cohen" while she builds up a head of steam:

Gotta' love them "Mighty Sounds of Steam" don't cha?

Happy Switcher Saturday.

Maine Central's GE-44 #11 tonner with its crew has been given a Saturday shift again.

Hello, SwSat Nation!  Patrick, congratulations on your promotion to SwSat Yardmaster!  The Nation is in good hands!

The rail fans you’ve seen before on the B&M have traveled to New Haven, CT to film NHRR trains in action.  There’s always a good variety of power in New Haven, because the railroad cuts off steam or diesel power at that location for electric to complete passenger runs into New York City.

NH electric EP5 no. 379, last of ten delivered to the NH, waits on a siding while NH 0-6-0 no. 2334 runs by, making up the train for the run to NYC.   The EP5s were nicknamed “jets” for the jet-like sounds they made while running.  NH passengers, fortunately, won’t hear the “jet” in their quiet, climate controlled coaches.

I hope I didn’t stray too far from a switcher theme today!

John

Happy Switcher Saturday! Thanks for kicking things off and taking the reins, @trumpettrain .  Great photos so far everyone! @MELGAR , you will not be disappointed in that little B6. It’s my favorite little steamer, but do that little guy some justice and post some videos of it belching smoke. It’s a wonderful smoker and will fog up your train room like never before. Here are a few picks of my newest switcher, an MTH vo1000, from a run session this week. Unfortunately, MTH decided to outfit it with an undercharged smoke unit and it barely gives off any fumes -

Happy SWSat!

Thanks Patrick for taking on the yardmaster duties. I've had fun running our weekly switcher confab but it's time to share the wealth so to speak. Also a big thanks to Mel who looped me into the discussion when John informed him that he was going to be off line for a while.

Today I've got a preview of a new project that I will be working on over the winter. I found the inspiration for this way back when I first joined SWSat, and had started researching the LIRR and what types of switchers they used.
The Morris Park Shop in Richmond Hill, Queens was built in 1889 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The shop served as a major service and maintenance facility for the railroad's steam fleet and has survived to today and is still an active shop. It now houses the LIRR's diesel/ electric EMD DC30AC and DC30DC engines. The facility has the last active turntable on the LIRR. Three more exist at museums in Oyster Bay, Riverhead, and Greenport.

My project idea has been lurking in the back of my brain for a while and has suddenly turned to reality thanks to @Trainguy Ken who worked his magic with his creativity and a 3D printer. All the details can be found here.

So here's the donor engine for the project. It's a Lionchief Dino Express diesel. It's based on the postwar Industrial Switcher. The shell will probably land on a flat car one day.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Gotta get the switcher crew busy decorating the layout for Christmas.

Bob

Last week we worked on getting an Atlas SD35 road switcher working that I have had on the shelf for probably 20 years.  It would arc and spark and blow breakers when it ran over switches.  We had grounded off projecting brake shoes and many other things to no avail.  One of my friends Les was over and we talked about it and he wanted to see if he could figure out what was going on?  He watched very carefully as it shorted out repeatedly over an Atlas 072 switch at the eastern entrance to my Eola yard.  It turned out the middle wheel on the left side of the front truck was making contact with the tip of the center power rail on the diverting side when it went straight through the switch.  There was too much play in this wheel set as it doesn't have flanges.  We had to grind some of the edge of the wheel and also the top edge of the rail.  After several tests and adjustments, it was good to go!

This engine's first assignment was on train #52 my eastbound grain train.  Here it is pulling into the Eola yard after exchanging cars at the Wichita Coop Elevator, Sunny Kansas flour mill, the Wonder Bread bakery in LaGrange.

This switcher is a welcome and much needed addition to my motive power and will greatly help the dispatcher get this railroad operating on a more timely basis.

Art

Thank you Bob, for your stewardship. Thank you Mel, for pinch hitting. And, thank you Pat, for stepping into this role, and keeping this thread going forward.

Railking FM H10-44

Great content so far today everyone!!  Keep those photos coming!

MELGAR - great looking B6!  One day I hope to own one too  Until then my A5 will do the job.

Peter -  Got to love a switcher that pulls a MOW track cleaning consist!  Wish I could make it to the NCT show at the College Park Air Museum but this is my "too"  busy time of the year.  I'm only 30 minutes from the museum.  It's a great museum with just planes but the trains makes it an even greater museum this weekend.

Arnold - I love the ALCO switcher and the colorful consist of boxcars!

BARGP7 #63 -  I love your 44 tonner!  Your scenery is terrific by the way!!

Steam Crazy -  EP5s are great looking locomotives and I would imagine that they were pressed into switching service in rare situations.  I love the steam switcher in your video!!

Strap Hanger - wonderful photo angles of your MTH VO1000!   Too bad the smoke unit has such low output.  My MTH RS 1 with proto 3 came new out of the box with low smoke output as well.  Very unusual for MTH smoke units for sure.  Finally my RS 1 smoke unit just quit.  I didn't bother to send it back because I have an Atlas O RS 1 that really kicks out the smoke!

Bob - thanks for the back story on your project!  Keep us posted on the progress.  I'm sure the finished product will be magnificent!! Cute little donor engine!  I'm surprised so much sound comes out of a unit that's so small too!  Who knew!?

Chugman - nothing like brining a shelf queen to life!  Especially after a 20 year career of sitting on a shelf too!  Wow!!  

Mark - The H 10 44 by FM is one of my favorite switchers!  It's on my bucket list too!  I want one in B&O livery.  Great photo angle btw!

In a sequel to my original post today ... here is the 44 tonner pulling the two car coach consist back to the Patsburg coach yard after they made their round trip run.   Jake " The Brake" is now off duty and Otto Reinsch is the brakeman riding the front deck.  Although not switcher related, the bottom photo shows a wonderful Lionel Trains sign that my nephew made for me on his 3D printer.  He gave me this for my birthday.  It lights up too!  It's hanging in a temporary place for the moment.  

I forgot to thank everyone for keeping this thread going each week.  Bob, Mel, and Pat your efforts are appreciated!

Art

A few from my collection, including my only 44 tonner…

Tom

Thank you, Pat for starting us off on Switcher Saturday.  Thank you to John, Bob, and Mel for past service!

First of all, I want to comment not on a switcher, but on a car that is waiting in BAR GP7 #63's post.  The Du Bois Brewing Company!  Du Bois, Pennsylvania is not far from where I live.  It is right off I-80 and is an entry point to the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania.  I do want to note that in Pennsylvania we pronounce it as Du Boyz not Du Bwah as in French.  Another trivia point is that Du Bois is the French variant of my name Boyce, both meaning of the woodlands or forest.  Well, enough on my ramblings.

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Happy Switcher Saturday.

Maine Central's GE-44 #11 tonner with its crew has been given a Saturday shift again.

On to my entry to SwSat for today.  Like most of us, I wasn't in the market for another engine after buying the P&WV 0-6-0 I posted a few weeks ago.  Early this week, a forum member sent me an email that he saw another forum member had just posted a Weaver Western Maryland RS-3 with ERR for a fantastic price.  Some of you know I already have two Western Maryland RS-3s one in Fireball and the other in Speedletter livery.  After contacting the member who had it for sale, I bought it.  It's funny, he bought an engine from me only a few months ago.    It just showed up two days ago, and I have only checked that all functions work.  So here it is.

Yes, that's the P&WV 0-6-0 on the track beside it.

It runs great with the Cab 1 remote and the DCS remote in TMCC mode.  The only thing is it doesn't have great slow speed control with either remote.  In fact, the normal speed I would use is at 1 or 2 SMPH on the DCS remote.  I see it has two motors, so I am going to take the shell off and see how they are wired.  However I don't know whether either series or parallel makes any difference with ERR electronics.  Maybe someone here knows.  If not, I'll see for myself.  Regardless, I am quite happy with it since I got it for the price of the ERR alone.

First let me say "Thank You" to Bob and Mel for stepping up and keeping us running when JHZ563 had to depart.  Next let me say "Thanks" to Patrick for taking over the reins and keeping us going into 2024.

Now for today I thought I might get some pictures of my switchers doing some useful work !  First here is my Kline MP-15 Kennecott Copper locomotive about to take a short freight train out of the yard and up the line.  Management of the Leonardtown and Savannah have leased this engine from Kennecott Copper to try it out and to see if it proves useful.  Given how cheap management of the L&S is under many circumstances I expect it will stay green for a long time and likely just get a cardboard sign over the name on the hood.

Finding  some pictures in the L&S archives, here is an old steam switcher Lionel # 1615 from 1955-57 working a freight up the main line towards Atlanta (although it will likely turn it over to a road engine just north of Savannah).

Best wishes and Happy Holidays

Don

Happy pre pre Christmas Switcher Saturday!

Congrats to Trumptrain on being the conductor to this forum.

I will also hop on the 44 tonner gig with my NH switcher.

Take Care,

Ray

I converted a Burlington lionchief switcher.. gutted it out put  in battery , railpro system . Painted and decales.  She runs great. I love using her in my yard. Picture 1 a nd 2 was picture 3 is.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Thank you, Pat for starting us off on Switcher Saturday.  Thank you to John, Bob, and Mel for past service!

First of all, I want to comment not on a switcher, but on a car that is waiting in BAR GP7 #63's post.  The Du Bois Brewing Company!  Du Bois, Pennsylvania is not far from where I live.  It is right off I-80 and is an entry point to the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania.  I do want to note that in Pennsylvania we pronounce it as Du Boyz not Du Bwah as in French.  Another trivia point is that Du Bois is the French variant of my name Boyce, both meaning of the woodlands or forest.  Well, enough on my ramblings.

On to my entry to SwSat for today.  Like most of us, I wasn't in the market for another engine after buying the P&WV 0-6-0 I posted a few weeks ago.  Early this week, a forum member sent me an email that he saw another forum member had just posted a Weaver Western Maryland RS-3 with ERR for a fantastic price.  Some of you know I already have two Western Maryland RS-3s one in Fireball and the other in Speedletter livery.  After contacting the member who had it for sale, I bought it.  It's funny, he bought an engine from me only a few months ago.    It just showed up two days ago, and I have only checked that all functions work.  So here it is.

Yes, that's the P&WV 0-6-0 on the track beside it.

It runs great with the Cab 1 remote and the DCS remote in TMCC mode.  The only thing is it doesn't have great slow speed control with either remote.  In fact, the normal speed I would use is at 1 or 2 SMPH on the DCS remote.  I see it has two motors, so I am going to take the shell off and see how they are wired.  However I don't know whether either series or parallel makes any difference with ERR electronics.  Maybe someone here knows.  If not, I'll see for myself.  Regardless, I am quite happy with it since I got it for the price of the ERR alone.

Mark.

Thanks for the interesting information package. That car came to me from my friend, who years ago sold off his fleet.

Johan

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Mark.

Thanks for the interesting information package. That car came to me from my friend, who years ago sold off his fleet.

Johan

You’re welcome, Johan!  I’m glad you got the car!

@trumpettrain posted:

Good morning fellow switcher fans!!  It is my honor and pleasure to be the new regular host of Switcher Saturday!   A big thank you to Bob for coordinating the continuation of this thread after John's ( JHZ563 ) departure.  Also a big shout out to MELGAR who stepped in to start this thread when Bob was not available.  Switcher Saturday is a wonderful long running thread that brings delight to so many of us each Saturday.  So with two toots of the horn/ whistle and a clanging bell, this thread continues to move forward!  

Welcome to this weekly thread that celebrates all things related to switcher locomotives ...also known as critters, and shunters.     Switcher Saturday welcomes all gauges Z - G as well as 1:1 scale too.  Please feel free to post information about and photos of switching locomotive big or small, the status quo run of the mill and the unusual.

HOUSE KEEPING NOTE - When posting photos, videos,  and information be sure the photos are YOUR photos or photos that you have been given permission to use by the photo's owner.   Using someone else's photo(s) without their permission is in direct violation of copyright laws.  Anyone who violates this law can be/will be held personally liable.   Please check the OGR Forum TOS to learn more.

NEXT WEEK - will be the Saturday before Christmas.   Since model/toy trains ( and real trains too ) are synonymous with the Christmas season, let's go with a Christmas holiday theme for next Saturday.    Perhaps some colorful switchers and or trains with some holiday colors, characters, etc. ??  OR wherever your imagination takes you!   AND if you wish to post non Christmas holiday photos of switchers that will be totally fine too, because we  LOVE all things switcher related!  

Without any further ado ... feel free to post away!  I'm so pumped to see what you all post in today's edition of Switcher Saturday!  Have a most wonderful week everyone!  

Today on the Free State Junction Railway a Pennsy GE 44 tonner brings two coaches to the Patsburg Commuter Station for a mid afternoon commuter run.   Once in place the brakeman Jake " The Break" Pearson ( standing on the switcher's deck )  will uncouple the coaches.   The  44 tonner will then move forward to make way for the road engine which will later make the commuter run down the line with the coaches in tow.  

Jake rides the front deck as the coaches are pulled from the coach yard.  A Fairbanks - Morse Train Master is seen in the background.  It's getting ready to couple on to a long string of loaded 100 ton hoppers.

The 44 tonner is just about ready to pull past the station.  With a blast of the horn and bell ringing, Engineer Jack Hutton eases the brake.  

Jake " The Break" has climbed off the engine and is now on the station platform out of view of this photo.  He will soon disconnect the air hose and pull the coupler bar.   When given the hand signal by Jake, Jack will ease the locomotive forward and stop.  Once Jake " The Break " is aboard they will switch over to track two and head back to the coach yard for their next assignment.  

Patrick, thank you so much for taking over conductor duties here! Best of luck for a long and successful run. This is a great group and I know you will do a superb job of guiding it.

Patrick: Thanks for doing this!!
Here are a few of mine:

Lionel Legacy SW8, Seaboard Coast Line on the slowly evolving small layout. Still lots of buildings to build and lots of scenery still to com. Happy Saturday everyone!

@MELGAR posted:

Good morning Patrick!

And best wishes for a long and successful run as the proprietor of Switcher Saturday.

Long Island Rail Road B-6 0-6-0 steam switcher is an MTH Railking Imperial model (30-1710-1) delivered in 2017 with PS3 at MSRP $449.95. MTH Imperial steamers have upgraded features not found in the Railking line such as a real coal load, legible builder’s plate, engineer and fireman figures, and tender truck safety chains.

I bought LIRR #170 recently from forum sponsor Trainz. Its condition was listed as “like new” and “sparingly run” but one that could be “improved with a gentle and thorough cleaning.” When the model arrived, I removed a small amount of accumulated dust around the running boards, but otherwise it was like new. I’ve bought several locomotives from Trainz and found their descriptions to be accurate. They also have a good selection of engines from which to choose.

The Long Island Rail Road was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1900 so that the PRR could run its trains directly into New York City. Subsequently, the PRR leased and sold various types of locomotives to the LIRR. The B-6 was the standard PRR 0-6-0 heavy steam switcher with more than 350 built between 1902 and 1913. However, only one or two superheated B-6s locomotives, including B-6sb #2015, are known to have run on Long Island. Instead, the PRR sent to the LIRR at least twenty B-8 0-6-0 locomotives that were not superheated and less powerful.

The MTH model represents a superheated B-6sb, of which 238 were built between 1916 and 1920. The engines weighed 180,300 pounds (tender not included), developed 36,140 pounds tractive effort, and had 56-inch driving wheels.

Why was this MTH model numbered #170? Records show that #170 was an 0-6-0 Class B-53sb steam switcher built by Baldwin for the LIRR in 1913. It was not a PRR design and did not come from the PRR. #2015 would have been a more realistic number, and that is what K-Line used on its B-6sb model.

Photos and videos show the engine on my 10’-by-5’ layout. It runs very smoothly – 20 scale miles-per-hour in the first video and 16 scale miles-per-hour in the second.

MELGAR

How did I miss this one????

I check Trainz site every few weeks for LIRR steam switchers.

You got a beauty there Mel. Enjoy!

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

How did I miss this one????

I check Trainz site every few weeks for LIRR steam.

You got a beauty there Mel. Enjoy!

Bob

Thanks Bob.

There is not much LIRR steam anywhere. I'm sure you know that, a few months ago, TW offered a special run of MTH Railking Imperial LIRR USRA 0-6-0 steamers that are due to be delivered soon (originally November, I think). By the time I called to order one, I was told that all pre-orders had been spoken for.

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

Thanks Bob.

There is not much LIRR steam anywhere. I'm sure you know that, a few months ago, TW offered a special run of MTH Railking Imperial LIRR USRA 0-6-0 steamers that are due to be delivered soon (originally November, I think). By the time I called to order one, I was told that all pre-orders had been spoken for.

MELGAR

Yea- I had the 0-6-0 in my TW cart but didn't pull the trigger. I'll wait and see if they have any leftovers after they arrive.

Bob

Wow!  Lots of wonderful posts!   Feel free to keep posting as this week unfolds!  Next Switcher Saturday let's show some Christmas/ holiday switchers along side our normal run of switcher pics and info.

Free State Junction Railway Christmas Train gets ready to depart Patsburg Yard in December 2018. A B&A SW9 is on the point.

@Chugman posted:

I forgot to thank everyone for keeping this thread going each week.  Bob, Mel, and Pat your efforts are appreciated!

Art

Agree heartily!!!

Peter

Little late but Great showing trumptrain another job well done

@Putnam Division posted:

Agree heartily!!!

Peter

+ @Chugman

Thanks guys. It takes a village as the old saying goes......

Bob

Thanks to Patrick for taking over the throttle here on Switcher Saturday, to Mel for being the ultimate relief crew, to Bob and John for having their hands on the throttle when needed most and to Rich Murnane for taking up the yard duties all those years ago. I don't know if John intends to climb up in the cab again but I do hope he checks in every now and again like Rich does to see how we're doing.

Mel, your posts are always so informative.  Todays post gave so much info about PRR 0-6-0s it leads me to ask, how can you tell the MTH model is superheated, making it a B6sb?

Peter, do you run dry pads on your track cleaning cars and have you ever thought about detailing the Centerline Products track cleaning car?  I recently bought one for a really good price at a train show and was thinking about putting some sort of removable deck on it but that's another project on a long, long list of projects.

Bill I too have one of those AlCo tank engines, a red North Pole Central.  Hopefully it will make an appearance here next week.

Patrick your nephew did an incredible job.  Is that a neon or LED light encircling it or is a white border on the sign that lets the backlight through so it looks like neon?

Johan those farm fields go on forever.  It's always nice to see your work.

Don a little RED cardboard sign to cover the K.C.C. and you'll have a Christmas switcher.

And a contribution this week. A Lionel Alaska SW1.  I've added the pilots with footboards, engine crew and handrails for the backdoor.

@coach joe posted:

Thanks to Patrick for taking over the throttle here on Switcher Saturday, to Mel for being the ultimate relief crew, to Bob and John for having their hands on the throttle when needed most and to Rich Murnane for taking up the yard duties all those years ago. I don't know if John intends to climb up in the cab again but I do hope he checks in every now and again like Rich does to see how we're doing.

Mel, your posts are always so informative.  Todays post gave so much info about PRR 0-6-0s it leads me to ask, how can you tell the MTH model is superheated, making it a B6sb?

Peter, do you run dry pads on your track cleaning cars and have you ever thought about detailing the Centerline Products track cleaning car?  I recently bought one for a really good price at a train show and was thinking about putting some sort of removable deck on it but that's another project on a long, long list of projects.

Bill I too have one of those AlCo tank engines, a red North Pole Central.  Hopefully it will make an appearance here next week.

Patrick your nephew did an incredible job.  Is that a neon or LED light encircling it or is a white border on the sign that lets the backlight through so it looks like neon?

Johan those farm fields go on forever.  It's always nice to see your work.

Don a little RED cardboard sign to cover the K.C.C. and you'll have a Christmas switcher.

Coach Joe - thanks so much!  I will let my nephew know you liked his creative work.  The border is a white circle that lets the light through.  The bulb is LED.