Switcher Saturday: 2016-Jan-09

 Lionel Legacy 0-8-0 that's been reworked into a B&A. Sitting idle in W. Mansfield. The building and cars on the siding. Is the Sko-Val screw company. It receives gondolas of steel rod from the west and ships the finished product east in boxcars for the war effort.

Bob,

 Thanks for your comment. I like your vintage photos that you dig up especially including this David Plowden photograph, which has always been one of my favorites. I think it was from an old Railroad  magazine article. I have a pair of vintage 1940-1950's black and white PRR photo albums and am fortunate to have a few shots of #5244 in her final years.

Tom

Very interesting. First picture may have a remnant of a turntable wall showing. Were they ever published in an article? I know the PRRT&HS's The Keystone had a nice article years ago about #5244, but I don't think they were from there (but I could be wrong). 

Tom

Don't have anything from my own layout to post this week, but I came across these pictures that I thought were interesting.

Mike:

The unit in the Green Bay Packers livery is very interesting. That should be Weyerhauser #1 which is a rare SW600 based at Rothschild, WI.

Bob

Hey Bob...whats interesting about this one particular shot is this...I'm assuming that's the crew of the train and they seem to be looking at and discussing the "poor styling" of the brand new 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 sitting trackside !

The 58 Ford was the ugliest car ever to come out of Dearborn (that is until the 1960 line up was announced)

Don't believe me ? "ask the man who owned one"

Me and the young family circa 2000

Happy SW Sat! 

Great pictures so far guys! This weekend I am posting some images of Baldwin -Lima Hamilton Transfer engines. These were made to transfer large groups of cars from one switching yard to another and so I would argue fall into the switcher category. BLH made 70 DT6-6-2000 and Lima made 22 similar LT-2500 engines from 1946-1954. 

In O scale 3 rail MTH has made this engine in several road names since the late 1990's.

MNCW posted:

Very interesting. First picture may have a remnant of a turntable wall showing. Were they ever published in an article? I know the PRRT&HS's The Keystone had a nice article years ago about #5244, but I don't think they were from there (but I could be wrong). 

Tom

Tom:

Mr. Fyer's pictures have been in print a few times. I believe the most recent appearance was in one of the Kalmbach publications a few years ago.

I recall you enjoy books like me so, if you don't already have a copy, I highly recommend John Brinckmann's "Pemberton and Hightstown: A Chronicle of Railroading through the Farm Belt of New Jersey". It offers fabulous historical coverage of the old Union Transportation Company in both text and photographs (and the 5244 is in it).

Bob  

My sister lives in New Egypt NJ and there is still a little bit of Union Transportation remnants around there in the woods if you know where to look. They have turned part of the roadbed into a rail trail but it has not yet reached New Egypt.

central nebraska elevator owns this one.

Silver Lake's post above on the transfer units is very interesting and shows some of the variations among these units.  The Lima-built 2500 hp units (first 3 photos) have flat noses and 3-axle trucks with asymmetric axle spacing.  The axles toward the end of the unit are close together while the axle toward the center is farther away.  The Lima units also have large radiator slats at the ends of the hood that extend the full height of the hood.

Baldwin-built 2400 hp units (the blue one in the last photo) have noses with a slight pointed or prow end, the trucks are rotated 180 degrees vs. the Lima units (closely-spaced axles are toward the center of the unit) and the radiator grills are much smaller than the Lima's.

The EJ&E units in photos 4 and 5 are Baldwins that have been rebuilt by EMD with modified SW hoods and a pair of 1200 hp 567C engines.  Note the 4 SW-style stacks on those units vs. a pair of stacks on the original Baldwin unit in photo 6.

CNJ 3676 posted:

Mike:

The unit in the Green Bay Packers livery is very interesting. That should be Weyerhauser #1 which is a rare SW600 based at Rothschild, WI.

Bob

 I know!  Isn't that cool??  I saw that and had this vision of a switcher entering a siding next to Lambeau Field pulling a bunch of these hot cocoa tankers!!!  

CNJ 3676 posted:

MNCW posted:

Very interesting. First picture may have a remnant of a turntable wall showing. Were they ever published in an article? I know the PRRT&HS's The Keystone had a nice article years ago about #5244, but I don't think they were from there (but I could be wrong). 

Tom

Tom:

Mr. Fyer's pictures have been in print a few times. I believe the most recent appearance was in one of the Kalmbach publications a few years ago.

I recall you enjoy books like me so, if you don't already have a copy, I highly recommend John Brinckmann's "Pemberton and Hightstown: A Chronicle of Railroading through the Farm Belt of New Jersey". It offers fabulous historical coverage of the old Union Transportation Company in both text and photographs (and the 5244 is in it).

Bob  

Bob,

 Yes, I love my books.  I'll definately keep an eye out for that one. It sounds very interesting. Looks to be only in out of print form and a bit pricey. Let me know if you ever see (an affordable) one becoming available.

Thanks for the " heads-up,"

Tom

I have one on back order. Can't wait to it gets here. How do you like your crane set ?

Thanks, John 

CNJ 3676 posted:

Mr. Fyer's pictures have been in print a few times. I believe the most recent appearance was in one of the Kalmbach publications a few years ago.

I recall you enjoy books like me so, if you don't already have a copy, I highly recommend John Brinckmann's "Pemberton and Hightstown: A Chronicle of Railroading through the Farm Belt of New Jersey". It offers fabulous historical coverage of the old Union Transportation Company in both text and photographs (and the 5244 is in it).

Bob  

Bob,

 OK, I trusted you and ordered the book! 

Thanks again,

 Tom

MTH LV NW2

Alaska Railroad EMD MP15DC#1553 switching at Cape Shark rail yard.

late to the party this week. we started working 12 hour shifts.

Here is some switcher action from the Free State Junction RR.

Dave_C posted:

 Lionel Legacy 0-8-0 that's been reworked into a B&A. Sitting idle in W. Mansfield. The building and cars on the siding. Is the Sko-Val screw company. It receives gondolas of steel rod from the west and ships the finished product east in boxcars for the war effort.

Your switcher looks great!! I love the weathering job! Great scenery and track work too!

CNJ 3676 posted:

I know some of the "Switcher Saturday" regulars are from Maryland so I thought a Western Maryland post would be appropriate for my contribution this week. Where as many roads relied heavily upon EMD locomotives for yard power, the WM went with a variety of models from ALCo, Baldwin and GE including the 44 tonner and the somewhat uncommon S-6. EMD power was still well represented on the WM roster in the form of cab units and road switchers including examples of the BL2.

As always, I thank Mr. George Elwood and his wonderful site www.rr-fallenflags.org website for providing the pictures. 

Bob

 

 CNJ - Thanks so much ( from a Maryland guy ) for posting these pics!  Got to love those WM switchers!!! 

Wow, what a week!

Sorry I just got back online, the kids had us super busy here yesterday!  Sara (our younger daughter, 2nd on the left below) and her team took 1st place in a lego robotics competition which took place at the US Naval Academy!  

I'm just getting to review all your postings this morning here, what a great crew we on Switcher Saturday duty, I think it's the best "thread" on the forum, but I'm biased of course!  Great pictures, videos and comments as always, and thank you all for contributing.

On a side note, I came across this article, The New York Public Library just uploaded nearly 200,000 images you can use for free
http://www.theverge.com/2016/1...omain-images-digital

In order to find good pictures you really do have to spend some time digging through tons of stuff that isn't super exciting.  I did download a few pictures which are related to our little Switcher Saturday thread here.

Railroad Yards, South Station, Boston, showing Interlocking Switch System.
http://digitalcollections.nypl...d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Manhattan: 11th Avenue - 35th Street

Queens: Long Island City - [Pennsylvania's Sunnyside assembling yard.]
http://digitalcollections.nypl...d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Brooklyn Bridge, Pier 21, Pennsylvania Railroad, Manhattan.
http://digitalcollections.nypl...d9-e040-e00a18064a99

All the best...Rich Murnane

Here's one I did for a friend last year. A Western Pacific 2-rail SW-1. Someone (I don't recall who) molded and poured these in resin about 10 years ago. Not a bad attempt...

Thanks! That was a fun little project. I wish I could get my hands on another one for myself.

CNJ 3676 posted:

Mr. Fyer's pictures have been in print a few times. I believe the most recent appearance was in one of the Kalmbach publications a few years ago.

I recall you enjoy books like me so, if you don't already have a copy, I highly recommend John Brinckmann's "Pemberton and Hightstown: A Chronicle of Railroading through the Farm Belt of New Jersey". It offers fabulous historical coverage of the old Union Transportation Company in both text and photographs (and the 5244 is in it).

Bob  

In return for your recommendation, I took a trip to my LOT (Library of Tom) and dug out 2 books I bought in 2007. Volumes 1 & 2 of Shortlines & Industrial Railroads of New Jersey by Benjamin Bernhart are two nice paperbacks which include PRR #5244 (and others), Union Transportation, the Raritan River Railroad, tank engines, more steam, a box cab, center cabs, etc. 

Tom

Hi, Tom.

Thanks for the recommendation. They are indeed great books. Ben also released them in a single volume hardcover edition which is the version I picked up. The book contains a great deal of material not often seen, if ever, elsewhere. I included a shot of the hardcover edition below. It would be a great acquisition for anyone interested in switchers and small locomotives as that's exactly what these roads and industries operated.

Bob

Is it time to quit collecting when all you can find is duplicates?  But then they really aren't bookends.  This 2339 was a freebie from a few months ago

Then along came this 2337 at the swap meet today.  In really nice condition, but, like the 2339, missing its fuel tank.  It was under the vendors table for the unreal price of $5.  BTW, besides the difference in number, the 2337 has non operating couplers. 

Bruce

Here's a short video

Peter

CNJ 3676 posted:

Hi, Tom.

Thanks for the recommendation. They are indeed great books. Ben also released them in a single volume hardcover edition which is the version I picked up. The book contains a great deal of material not often seen, if ever, elsewhere. I included a shot of the hardcover edition below. It would be a great acquisition for anyone interested in switchers and small locomotives as that's exactly what these roads and industries operated.

Bob

 

 

 

Can you believe I just got myself vol 2. of this pair of these last week. I really was wanting Vol1 for the Union Transportation coverage. Oh well more to look for to fill some gaps in my Library.

Ok ... here is one last pic for this week's SS thread.  From the Free State Junction Railway in Patsburg, Maryland 

mike.caruso posted:

CNJ 3676 posted:

Mike:

The unit in the Green Bay Packers livery is very interesting. That should be Weyerhauser #1 which is a rare SW600 based at Rothschild, WI.

Bob

 I know!  Isn't that cool??  I saw that and had this vision of a switcher entering a siding next to Lambeau Field pulling a bunch of these hot cocoa tankers!!!  

Even that would not help.  Seattle won the game!

CNJ 3676 posted:

MNCW posted:

Very interesting. First picture may have a remnant of a turntable wall showing. Were they ever published in an article? I know the PRRT&HS's The Keystone had a nice article years ago about #5244, but I don't think they were from there (but I could be wrong). 

Tom

Tom:

Mr. Fyer's pictures have been in print a few times. I believe the most recent appearance was in one of the Kalmbach publications a few years ago.

I recall you enjoy books like me so, if you don't already have a copy, I highly recommend John Brinckmann's "Pemberton and Hightstown: A Chronicle of Railroading through the Farm Belt of New Jersey". It offers fabulous historical coverage of the old Union Transportation Company in both text and photographs (and the 5244 is in it).

Bob  

Bob,

   A+ on your book recommendation. By some miracle, the book moved from Pasadena, CA to Westchester County, NY from late Saturday (when I ordered it on Amazon) to get here this afternoon. Kudos to you for your suggestion and also to the USPS for amazingly fast delivery. 

   Looked through the book briefly and it has very good coverage on #5244. The copy is in great shape with all of its inserts including a somewhat unusual "Greetings..." insert which mentions the original price and that it was one of a print run of a thousand. Luckily, it is autographed too.

Thanks again,

 Tom

Bob,

  Thanks on another suggestion. First though, my wallet and  wife both need to recover!

 Tom