Switcher Saturday: 2016-July-09

saw this picture last night and thought I'd save it and post today, original source and text is below:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/268879040227506782/

Ma & Pa 0-6-0 on turntable Maryland & Pennsylvania 0-6-0 No. 29 gets a spin on the hand-powered (“Armstrong”) turntable at the road’s Baltimore roundhouse in arch 1952.

OK, one more picture then I need to wake up the family and get the kids ready for a swim meet!

Have a good day everyone!

great pics Rich. 

Yay! SWSat is on!

Yesterday I rode the Amtrak Maple Leaf from NYC Penn station to Syracuse heading to vacation in the Adirondacks. It is a beautiful ride up along the Hudson River on the old New York Central mainline. I was able to get some good railfan shots out my window. 

Unfortunately there were too many passenger trains in the Metro North yard at Croton Harmon to see anything there so first up is the Amtrak facilities at Albany - Rennselier. 

There were a lot of EMD switchers and an odd roadswitcher I couldn't place. 

Note the consecutive numbering on these two units. 

Further north at Utica I got a shot out a dirty window of some Alcos working for the troubled Adirondack Scenic Railroad that is about to lose the northern end of thier operation. I believe the RS3 is originally NYC. Sorry for the quality.

The real excitement was out the other window. Utica has the soul surviving NYC steam switcher a USRA 0-6-0. Last year it was in a runaway car accident which drove it back into the station platform bridge stairway. The stairway has been rebuilt  but the steamer as you can see is worse for wear. The tender was driven into the cab and seems to have frame damage, the steam dome is off and missing, the pilot beam is missing and even the number plate is cracked. So it is in a sad state but here is a rolling inspection.

Have a great SWSat and a great weekend. 

Good morning and a happy weekend to my Switcher Saturday brothers!

Last weekend, I had an opportunity to visit the delightful Whippany Railway Museum in Whippany, NJ. The museum's collection features several switching locomotives, a few of which are pictured here. First, we see the 7240, a fire less cooker built by Porter in 1937 for Texaco.  

The second image is of the New York Susquehanna & Western 150, a 20 ton two axle gasoline powered locomotive built by Whitcomb for the U.S. Army in 1942. The 150 and sister unit 151 were subsequently purchased by the NYS&W for service at the railroad's very busy riverside facilities in Edgewater. 

The third locomotive in our survey is 0-6-0 4039, built by ALCo for the U.S. War Department in '42. Upon disposal by the military, the locomotive was sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway. Fame awaited it beginning in the mid-60s when it was purchased by the Morris County Central Railroad to haul well patronized tourist trains through the hills of Northern New Jersey during the 60s and 70s. The 4039 is presently undergoing a restoration to operating condition and the boiler and cab have been removed. We see here the locomotive's running gear and tender.

Bob

Happy Switcher Saturday everyone.

My contribution this week is my MTH Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines A5 as it drifts down grade.

Andy/SILVERLAKE, several years ago (in a simpler time), I got permission to photograph the last Amtrak FL9's which were stored at Rensselaer. It was nice of the Amtrak folks to let me in there. 

Tom 

Good morning, everyone.  Today its old vs new, 1948.

It was still 8 years away before the PRR retired its last B28, but the hand writing was on the wall when the 44 Tonners started showing up.  Most of the PRR's steam switchers were already gone, replaced by Baldwin BS6 and BS10 diesels, and EMD ES6 and ES10 diesels.  While the B6sb, B6sa and B28 did make it to the end of PRR steam, only two B6 engines survive today.

Very cool Tom. Rich I used to swim year round on a swim team when I was in high school so I have huge respect for the parents who go to those things. 

Ron (CAPPilot):

In addition to your great pictures, I also look forward to the narrative which is typically part of your posts. I enjoy explaining my scenes as well. 

Best,

Bob

Good morning fellow switcher lovers!   Here are some shots of my B&O docksider working the Mountain Division of the Free State Junction Railway.  I took these with my new Canon Powershot camera.  I just love new toys!!

Murnane posted:

saw this picture last night and thought I'd save it and post today, original source and text is below:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/268879040227506782/

Ma & Pa 0-6-0 on turntable Maryland & Pennsylvania 0-6-0 No. 29 gets a spin on the hand-powered (“Armstrong”) turntable at the road’s Baltimore roundhouse in arch 1952.

Nice photo Rich!!   This round house still stands and is used by the Baltimore City to store their road maintains trucks.  I see it overtime I drive I 83 north.  Got to love the Ma & Pa!!  

Thanks for the video with your 0 - 8 - 0 and letting us see your back shop.

I admire your commitment to your kids swimming.  I have no doubt that those early mornings are well worth it!

GBW Alco S2 #201 & D&H box car.

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

GBW Alco S2 #201 & D&H box car.

 

BAR GP7 - Great looking boxcar and great looking cargo too!!!!  WOW!!!

On my way back from playing gigs in NC last weekend, I traveled through Damascus,VA.  As you all know, the N&W Virginia Creeper ran ( on the Abingdon Branch of the N&W ) through this small town.  The rails are long gone, however, there is a bike trail where those rails used to be.   This small steam switcher and N&W caboose were on separate piece of track in the town park.  The caboose actually sits on the old Creeper ROW.  The switcher had no builder plate nor was there any plaque that told visitors of its history.  The caboose houses the park office, however, the office was closed on July 5 when I traveled through.  So to me this switcher is a mystery.  I assume that it was used in logging operations or lite industry in or around Damascus.... thats just my assumption.  If anyone happens to know the history on this little critter please let us know.  

My fellow switcher brothers -   As always your photos and commentary teach me so much each Saturday!  Thanks so much for sharing!  

Cappilot- Your old and new shot of steam and diesel switchers is very real looking.  I love it that they are perched up on a wall ( like the Chinese wall that used to carry the Pennsy trackage to Broad Street Station in Philly ).  Thanks for the history background as well.

Tom - great A5 photo!  This must be a rare model seen in this livery.

Bob - great photos of the museum switchers!  I love the USA tender!  Thanks for the great background info as well.

Silver Lake - Wonderful photos!!! Yes, the Water Level Route along the Hudson is a fantastic ride for sure!  The scenery looking over the Hudson is just beautiful... and of course the many trains, locos, and rolling stock along the way too is quite something too ( as your photos tell us ).    A few years ago I took a train from Grand Central to Beacon NY so I could see the Andy Warhol exibition in Beacon ... it was in an old card board box factory ... which I'm sure was service by switchers pushing and pulling boxcars in its heyday. The scenery along the way was just stunning to me.  I hope to take this route again someday.

I plan to work on my layout today. 

Have a wonderful weekend guys!!

trumptrain posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

GBW Alco S2 #201 & D&H box car.

 

BAR GP7 - Great looking boxcar and great looking cargo too!!!!  WOW!!!

Patrick: Thank you. 

-Johan

good ol' days in NY Harbor ...

trumptrain posted:

On my way back from playing gigs in NC last weekend, I traveled through Damascus,VA.  As you all know, the N&W Virginia Creeper ran ( on the Abingdon Branch of the N&W ) through this small town.  The rails are long gone, however, there is a bike trail where those rails used to be.   This small steam switcher and N&W caboose were on separate piece of track in the town park.  The caboose actually sits on the old Creeper ROW.  The switcher had no builder plate nor was there any plaque that told visitors of its history.  The caboose houses the park office, however, the office was closed on July 5 when I traveled through.  So to me this switcher is a mystery.  I assume that it was used in logging operations or lite industry in or around Damascus.... thats just my assumption.  If anyone happens to know the history on this little critter please let us know.  

According to www.steamlocomotive.com, "Photo of simulated steam "donkey" in Damascus which is really a gasoline engine contraption that was used in a now de-
funt factory. My understanding is that it was home built."

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

GBW Alco S2 #201 & D&H box car.

 

A Green Bay & Western Alco switcher! ! Gently weathered, too.  That is very cool!

Work bench layout. I love this!!! 

Number 90 posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

GBW Alco S2 #201 & D&H box car.

 

A Green Bay & Western Alco switcher! ! Gently weathered, too.  That is very cool!

Tom: Thank you very much.

-Johan

Dual motor Williams 44-ton diesel (on a budget)

Here is an original Williams 44-ton diesel in PRR paint scheme that I have converted to series connected "dual" motors. I have completely removed the sound board and speaker from the cab area as well as the "windows". I will also add directional LED headlights and a modified battery box (not shown).

The sound board and speaker will be added to a 44-ton "dummy" unit.

Note: This the original Williams low cost engine version intended for conventional powered layouts.

I always loved the MTH A5 Premier 0-4-0. The price tag was out of my range. So, I found a lovely "Daylight" painted A5 from Lionel for $200. Lionel did these a few years ago, they are the old K-Line tooling. Now they have LionChief + in them. It sounds great and runs like a top!

Here are some Amtrak Switchers as seen on the "Farewell to the AEM7" excursion a few weeks ago. 

Thank you all for another great Switcher Saturday - really great posts and pictures this week!

Steamer posted:

great pics Rich. 

Dave - thanks for these photos.  I especially love the Pennsy 0 -6-0.  It makes me want to buy the Lionel version for my layout.... which I very well may do.  You have planted the seed!

Another dual motor Williams 44-ton diesel (on a budget)

Here is an original Williams 44-ton diesel that has been converted to series connected "dual" motors. The body has also been modified as shown.

Somewhat similar to the prototype photo.

Lionel 6-18662 0-4-0 switcher.  Another conventional powered switcher engine on a budget.

THANKS TO EVERYONE that shared pictures !  

Thanks to Rich for starting this thread every week on Saturday !