Switcher Saturday: 2016-June-18

This may or may not be an NYC EMD MP15DC, found the picture googling for real world MP15 and NYC - thought it was "cool" enough to post here!

Troy Union Railroad crossing guard John Moriarity and New York Central switch engine during snowstorm, Troy, New York, March 1955

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/429741989414945011/

Here's my O scale version of Raritan River SW900 1 drilling cars in preparation for the day's operations. The transfer run of inbounds from the Conrail interchange at South Amboy has just arrived in Parlin and the crew has a lot of switching to get done before the various local assignments can depart. 

Of special note in these pictures are the Hercules Centerflow and Hostess Airslide cover hoppers. Hercules in Parlin and Continental Baking (Hostess) in East Brunswick were among the railroad's largest customers and these cars were a common sight on the line, giving these images a true Raritan River flavor.

Bob

Based on those Blunt trucks it is an ALCO.  Great mood picture but I don't think I want that job.

Happy Switcher Saturday and also Happy Father's Day to the dads out their like Rich and Bob/CNJ3676 and I think Andy/SILVERLAKE...and any other dads out there. My own father worked briefly for the New Haven after coming back from WWII, was trained in being a fireman on steam and diesel, so my contribution is a clean looking New Haven 0-8-0. 

Tom 

Hi, Rich. 

The New York Central unit in your snowy shot is an ALCo. The Central never owned an MP15 as the model didn't enter production until 1974 by which time the railroad had already been merged into Penn Central. Successor PC purchased many SW1500s but no MP15s. 

I hope this helps. 

Best regards,

Bob

Rebadged for Jenkins Valves(fantasy). Engine is fantasy but Jenkins Valves was a legitimate company along the New Haven line in Bridgeport CT. It was right across the street from the Bridgeport train station.

CNJ 3676 posted:

Here's my O scale version of Raritan River SW900 1 drilling cars in preparation for the day's operations. The transfer run of inbounds from the Conrail interchange at South Amboy has just arrived in Parlin and the crew has a lot of switching to get done before the various local assignments can depart. 

Of special note in these pictures are the Hercules Centerflow and Hostess Airslide cover hoppers. Hercules in Parlin and Continental Baking (Hostess) in East Brunswick were among the railroad's largest customers and these cars were a common sight on the line, giving these images a true Raritan River flavor.

Bob

Don't forget Dupont, Sunshine Biscuit and Personal Products!

I've been trying to find a pic of the Sunshine Biscuit façade that faced Bordertown Avenue with the Krispy crackers, chef logo and Hydrox cookie sign  - I want to use that as part of my backdrop on my layout...

And of course one pops up!

Tom:

What an exceptional picture of a New Haven 0-8-0. Thank you for sharing the photo as it's a real treat. I'm curious; would you happen to have information regarding the location?

Bob

Dave:

Let me look around. Sunshine was at the end of the Gillespie Branch. Picture taking opportunities along the branch were limited so I didn't spend much time shooting that part of the railroad. Generally the best we could do was get him as he took his lunch break right at Sunshine. 

Let me check with my circle of Raritan River fans to see if I can come up with a shot to help you. 

Bob

CNJ 3676 posted:

Tom:

What an exceptional picture of a New Haven 0-8-0. Thank you for sharing the photo as it's a real treat. I'm curious; would you happen to have information regarding the location?

Bob

Hi Bob, 

  Unfortunately, the location was listed as unknown.

Tom 

Thanks Bob! 

Danr posted:

Based on those Blunt trucks it is an ALCO.  Great mood picture but I don't think I want that job.

Alco, at Dunbar, PA a few years ago.

Early EMC switcher, Steamtown 

I was looking at this thread last weekend, and my wife asked me what I was looking at. so I explained Switcher Saturday. and I said that since I only have a couple toy train switchers, I usually post pics of real locomotives. then she asked "how many engines DO you have?" gee sweetheart....why do ask? "just wondered" I mumbled thirty....something...but there's guys on here with over two hundred.....she just gave me one of those wifely looks......she was just rattling my chain. she's never given me any real grief about what's downstairs.

Have a great Saturday and Happy Father's Day guys.

Steamer posted:

I was looking at this thread last weekend, and my wife asked me what I was looking at. so I explained Switcher Saturday. and I said that since I only have a couple toy train switchers, I usually post pics of real locomotives. then she asked "how many engines DO you have?" gee sweetheart....why do ask? "just wondered" I mumbled thirty....something...but there's guys on here with over two hundred.....she just gave me one of those wifely looks......she was just rattling my chain. she's never given me any real grief about what's downstairs.

Have a great Saturday and Happy Father's Day guys.

 

Dave,

  Loose lips sink ships! Only respond with your name, rank and serial number! 

Tom 

Not sure if I posted this before here so here goes.

Here's a 1min video of my battery-powered Weaver RS3 with the new BlueRail BlueHorse bluetooth board:

So far it's running well, almost 3 hours of run time on a charge (I pulled a 5-car train and caboose for 2h 40)m.  But the board was made for 2amp operation.  Hopefully BlueRail will be offering a board with more amperage in the future.

the only problem with that is all she has to do is take a walk down to the lair and start counting!

D&H RS11 #5002 switching some cars at Cape Shark Rail yard.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTcd03o7yvA

Websites: http://porvoomodelrailroaders.com/

Great fun this week so far guys, we just got back from a swim meet and we're all ready for a nap!  Thanks for the Father's Day Shout out Tom and all,  I hope all the dads out there (and granddads and guys that wish they could have been dads, etc...) get switchers for gifts tomorrow!

Also, great sluething on the research for that "frosty cold" picture, you guys are like living switcher encyclopedias!

Last week when I was in North Carolina my sister took me to an antique shop and we stumbled upon an old Japanese Tinplate Switcher 0-6-0 Almost-O-Gauge Set, price was $50 which seemed high because the engine had a crusty/rusty C-Cell battery rotting in the boiler.  A quick look at the bay now and I'm glad I didn't go for it, it looks like you can buy better sets for < $40 if you really want one, which I don't I suppose!

Enjoy the rest of your Switcher Saturday - I'm back offline to help the kids bake a cake for their mom's birthday!

Best...Rich

I've gotten some good deals in antique shops. but I've seen prices from can't believe it to I can't believe it!

that steamer might have been a good candidate for a re-power.but $50, of the engine and tender were the only pieces I probably woulda passed too.

Hey Guys, Happy SWSat!

I almost missed the fun today because I had to work today to push a deadline. Great pics and stories so far guys. Looking at that snowy Alco shot from Rich  Murname put me right back in the throws of winter. Tom P/ MNCW that New Haven switcher is spotless. BAR GP7 #67 your weathering is some of the most convincing I've seen on this forum. Really stellar work.

Steamer I think most of us are in the same boat as you. I keep saying to myself that I am trying to be focused and disiplined but somehow a NYC FT that didn't fit into my plans but had a far too reasonable price followed my home today.  

As far as switchers and Father's Day I am posting pics of my kids with switchers from around our home. My kids know I like trains and indulge me to a point but none of them seem to really have the train gene. I've taken my girls and my son to shows but usually they beg off the trip. They are usually up for adventurous walks so sometimes they end up on train based walks if I am thier guide. 

First up is my oldest with an old GE unit on a work train at the 96 st 1/2/3 platform. These have the lower tight clearance cabs. Usually I can see one of these on a trash train if I'm up early to get a ride to work. They come out in off hours like the weekend and are why I can never tell how easy it will be to get around on the weekends. 

Next up is a preserved engine with my other kids. 

So yes this is my girls with the only preserved engine in Manhattan, NY. It is NYC Alco S2 "8625". It lives on the south end of Riverside Park around 64th street on the Westside almost under the Westside highway. It is near the old NYC barge transfer float tower. As you see it has grown some new handrails and safety fencing. 

The engine is actually BEDT #25 as seen here in its Bicentennial paint scheme. It never worked in Manhattan as far as I know it stayed in Brooklyn its while service life. I think it is (unlike the many steamers) the only surviving BEDT diesel. 

Happy Father's Day to all the SWSat Dads and mentors. 

Great photos and great information everyone!!!  I soooo look forward to this thread each week!!  Here is my contribution from The Free State Junction Railway in Patsburg, Maryland!  AND HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all of you SWSAT dads!!!

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

D&H RS11 #5002 switching some cars at Cape Shark Rail yard.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTcd03o7yvA

Websites: http://porvoomodelrailroaders.com/

BAR GP7  - WOW!!!!!!!!!

At the Valley Railroad in Essex, CT.

Bob Delbridge posted:

Not sure if I posted this before here so here goes.

Here's a 1min video of my battery-powered Weaver RS3 with the new BlueRail BlueHorse bluetooth board:

So far it's running well, almost 3 hours of run time on a charge (I pulled a 5-car train and caboose for 2h 40)m.  But the board was made for 2amp operation.  Hopefully BlueRail will be offering a board with more amperage in the future.

Way cool!!!!  The sound is great!!!  Thanks for sharing Bob!!!

Murnane posted:

This may or may not be an NYC EMD MP15DC, found the picture googling for real world MP15 and NYC - thought it was "cool" enough to post here!

 

Troy Union Railroad crossing guard John Moriarity and New York Central switch engine during snowstorm, Troy, New York, March 1955

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/429741989414945011/

Hey Rich - This photo could make a nice Christmas card for train fans.  Too bad the switcher NYC and not Buuuuurrrrrrlington!!!  Sorry - bad joke .... could not resist!   Happy fathers day to you Rich!

Silver Lake posted:

Hey Guys, Happy SWSat!

I almost missed the fun today because I had to work today to push a deadline. Great pics and stories so far guys. Looking at that snowy Alco shot from Rich  Murname put me right back in the throws of winter. Tom P/ MNCW that New Haven switcher is spotless. BAR GP7 #67 your weathering is some of the most convincing I've seen on this forum. Really stellar work.

Steamer I think most of us are in the same boat as you. I keep saying to myself that I am trying to be focused and disiplined but somehow a NYC FT that didn't fit into my plans but had a far too reasonable price followed my home today.  

As far as switchers and Father's Day I am posting pics of my kids with switchers from around our home. My kids know I like trains and indulge me to a point but none of them seem to really have the train gene. I've taken my girls and my son to shows but usually they beg off the trip. They are usually up for adventurous walks so sometimes they end up on train based walks if I am thier guide. 

First up is my oldest with an old GE unit on a work train at the 96 st 1/2/3 platform. These have the lower tight clearance cabs. Usually I can see one of these on a trash train if I'm up early to get a ride to work. They come out in off hours like the weekend and are why I can never tell how easy it will be to get around on the weekends. 

Next up is a preserved engine with my other kids. 

So yes this is my girls with the only preserved engine in Manhattan, NY. It is NYC Alco S2 "8625". It lives on the south end of Riverside Park around 64th street on the Westside almost under the Westside highway. It is near the old NYC barge transfer float tower. As you see it has grown some new handrails and safety fencing. 

The engine is actually BEDT #25 as seen here in its Bicentennial paint scheme. It never worked in Manhattan as far as I know it stayed in Brooklyn its while service life. I think it is (unlike the many steamers) the only surviving BEDT diesel. 

Happy Father's Day to all the SWSat Dads and mentors. 

Silver Lake: Thank you very much.

-Johan

trumptrain posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

D&H RS11 #5002 switching some cars at Cape Shark Rail yard.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTcd03o7yvA

Websites: http://porvoomodelrailroaders.com/

BAR GP7  - WOW!!!!!!!!!

Patrick W: Thanks.

-Johan

Murnane posted:

This may or may not be an NYC EMD MP15DC, found the picture googling for real world MP15 and NYC - thought it was "cool" enough to post here!

 

Troy Union Railroad crossing guard John Moriarity and New York Central switch engine during snowstorm, Troy, New York, March 1955

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/429741989414945011/

That's an Alco S-1.  The NYC was long gone by the time MP15DC came out.

Rusty

Ron, that Valley RR centercab is cool.  Does anyone have any information on it?

coach joe posted:

Ron, that Valley RR centercab is cool.  Does anyone have any information on it?

It is a GE/IR 80 tonner. It was built prewar, 1940 for the Navy. It looks different than what most think of as a GE engine of this type because it is so early.