Switcher Saturday: 2017-Mar-04

One of the most striking switchers Atlas has ever made IMHO is this Atlantic and East Carolina RS-1.

Rich, Thanks for another week of posting this. Great pictures from the B&O Museum.

My contribution is Pennsylvania Railroad's B6sb #6397 seen at Camden, NJ, probably on the ready track, with a nicely lighted view showing a socially preferred "rods down" image with its smokestack cap off, a more than a full load of coal and a cab door open. Judging by the mountain of coal in its tender (almost level with the cab roof), she had a busy day ahead of her! 

Built by Juniata in 1926 (construction number 4107), she was sold for scrap in December 1954. 

Tom 

Yay! SWSat is on!

It is so nice to meet a SWSater out in the real world. After months of attempts I got to meet Tom P/ MNCW at the Westchester Toy and Train show last month in White Plains NY. 

Also nice grouping of Switchers. FM, Baldwin, GE and Alco. Nice catch. 

Last week I was doing some very early work days and got to do some 5:30 AM railfanning during my commute. So here are some work train shots from the 145 st B/D platform. I thought it was interesting that the subway work crew car has a fuel port for when it needs to work on unpowered rail.  All the cars have anti climber ends. The close clearance crane is really neat in that it can slide on rails atop the car it rides on. I think they look a bit like R2D2 with the domes. 

One more Switcher model image from the yard at NYSME. A lowly Erie GM meets the Crusader.

@mike.caruso - Hi Mike, that really is a neat looking switcher, thanks for sharing it!  My B&O is Atlas too, they made really nice looking engines!

@PRR8976 - Hey Tom, "your welcome" ;-)  -  that's a nice picture, the "look" is kinda what I'm always trying to get to using these photo apps, I think some of your tries have come pretty darn close to this!

@Silver Lake - Hey Andy, love the railfan pictures from the subway, reminds me of "home" - I hope you are enjoying the NYSME, it looks like you are!

All the best guys, I'll be offline for a while now (kids chauffeuring is starting here shortly)!

My switcher for today is an Atlas O model of Conrail MP15DC locomotive 9624.

The Electro-Motive Division of General Motors built 351 MP15DC “multi-purpose” locomotives between 1974 and 1983. The MP15DC replaced the SW1500 in EMD’s model lineup and had Blomberg B-type trucks which allowed it to run at speeds up to about 60 MPH. It weighed 248,000 pounds and used the EMD V12 645 engine which developed 1500 horsepower and had a displacement of 7,740 cubic inches. Conrail received ten MP15DC switchers that had been leased to the Reading Company. Conrail 9624 was built in December 1974.

Atlas O announced this model in 2008 at a list price of $479.95 for the 3-rail version with TMCC. I run this engine on my 12-by-8 layout and pull six boxcars and a caboose on a small loop of O-36 track. The speed control and operation at slow freight train speeds are excellent.

 MELGAR

Happy SWSat everyone! Great posts so far.

Rich and Pat- that is an awesome museum! Definitely have to make a trip down there one day.

@Silerlake- Great catch- NYC Transit at work. I've ridden the subway on and off for years, never caught a MOW team on the line.

Here on the RSJ&B thought I would keep the MOW theme going. The new team track area construction is nearly complete. This week the MOW team was on hand to do the final inspection on the tracks. While they were hard at work , 8632 was pulling a mixed freight.

Bob

I haven't contributed to this thread in quite a while, but I ALWAYS check it out as it's one of my favorites!

I've been working on a 3-Rail Scale (3RS) conversion of an MTH Lehigh Valley Baldwin VO-1000 switcher as time permits.  Below are a few progress photos.  With all the gray primer paint, it kind of looks like it was involved in a collision (got "sandwiched"!) and is in a state of repair waiting for final paint application!  

Next up is some final sanding and then some "LV Cornell Red" and Safety Yellow for the handrails.  Weathering (of course!) after that.

I fixed the pilots, added Kadees, full-length handrails, pilot grab irons & brake lines/hoses, and even a lantern-hanging bracket per the prototype photo in the background.

Nucor Steel switcher in Seattle, switching in the billet yard.

hot dang it's Saturday! great pics guys. The B&O looks like a great place.

Pennsy Power today

0-6-0 #42 in Chicago August 1948

beautiful engine #218 0-6-0 in Canton,Ohio in 1937

0-6-0 #338 in Hoboken in 1930

and 0-4-0 # 411 in Atlantic City in 1953

Southern Pacific No. 675 on Westside Branch in San Joaquin Valley to work the cantaloupe packing houses this summer.

To jump on Dave's coat tails.... Here's a new-to-me K-Line Pennsy A5 Switcher I got for a song.

   S.I.R.T. RY. 

   A metal plate between the dual box cars above provided less time to unload!

Here are a few local switchers I took pictures of a few years back.

The first one is of The Great Miami Railroad engine and caboose in Hamilton, Ohio, circa 2005.

The second one is of the Southwest Landmark in South Charleston, Ohio, circa 2009.

The third one is of the C&O 2 rail switcher & a string of B&O cabeese on the B&O train display when it was in the lobby of the Cinergy(CG&E, then Cinergy, then Duke) Building in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.  My Dad and I used to visit every Holiday Season during the 6 weeks it was set up.  

Enjoy!

Phil in Ohio

SIRT,

That is some nice layout! I'm impressed by your pictures every week. Makes me want to visit "Staten Island." Always a lot of great stuff on this thread. Thanks to Rich Murnane and everyone who posts.

MELGAR

CNJ #1601 posted:

I haven't contributed to this thread in quite a while, but I ALWAYS check it out as it's one of my favorites!

I've been working on a 3-Rail Scale (3RS) conversion of an MTH Lehigh Valley Baldwin VO-1000 switcher as time permits.  Below are a few progress photos.  With all the gray primer paint, it kind of looks like it was involved in a collision (got "sandwiched"!) and is in a state of repair waiting for final paint application!  

Next up is some final sanding and then some "LV Cornell Red" and Safety Yellow for the handrails.  Weathering (of course!) after that.

I fixed the pilots, added Kadees, full-length handrails, pilot grab irons & brake lines/hoses, and even a lantern-hanging bracket per the prototype photo in the background.

Beautiful work Joe.....brings back memories of one of the few VO's often assigned on the locals down through the Swoyersville and Luzerne areas.

CNJ #1601 posted:

I haven't contributed to this thread in quite a while, but I ALWAYS check it out as it's one of my favorites!

I've been working on a 3-Rail Scale (3RS) conversion of an MTH Lehigh Valley Baldwin VO-1000 switcher as time permits.  Below are a few progress photos.  With all the gray primer paint, it kind of looks like it was involved in a collision (got "sandwiched"!) and is in a state of repair waiting for final paint application!  

Next up is some final sanding and then some "LV Cornell Red" and Safety Yellow for the handrails.  Weathering (of course!) after that.

I fixed the pilots, added Kadees, full-length handrails, pilot grab irons & brake lines/hoses, and even a lantern-hanging bracket per the prototype photo in the background.

Beautiful work Joe.....brings back memories of one of the few VO's often assigned on the locals down through the Swoyersville and Luzerne areas.

Happy Switcher Saturday to all. Very nice pics this weekend. I post pics where SOU NW2 continue some switching jobs at Cape Shark.

Sure wish one of the 3-rail makers would have made a RS-2.

I was born, raised, and matured in Youngstown,OH the second largest producer of steel at the time.  We were served by 5 class one roads.

Pennsy, NYC, B&O, Erie, and last but not least the P&LE (Little Giant).  In the day the P&LE ran three passenger trains ( The Steel King) from Pittsburgh daily to the terminus in Youngstown.  In Youngstown the P&LE passed their coaches (1,2 or 3) to the Erie.  These were added to the Erie consist then on to Cleveland.  And sometimes they they kept the P&LE power to Cleveland or the Erie power to Pittsburgh.  The P&LE pulled with Alco PA-1's then later with GP9's .  The Erie pulled with RS-2's.  It was these Erie RS-2's that took me to Cleveland to see the "Indians" play.  So would have like a correct RS-2.  Do have a P&LE PA-1 with correct cab road number.

Anyway this will have to do!

 Also have the NYC version.

Love all the photos and I would share a photo of a switcher but I posted the 2 that I have and will wait for a couple Saturdays before reposting one of mine.

PRRronbh posted:

Sure wish one of the 3-rail makers would have made a RS-2.

I was born, raised, and matured in Youngstown,OH the second largest producer of steel at the time.  We were served by 5 class one roads.

Pennsy, NYC, B&O, Erie, and last but not least the P&LE (Little Giant).  In the day the P&LE ran three passenger trains ( The Steel King) from Pittsburgh daily to the terminus in Youngstown.  In Youngstown the P&LE passed their coaches (1,2 or 3) to the Erie.  These were added to the Erie consist then on to Cleveland.  And sometimes they they kept the P&LE power to Cleveland or the Erie power to Pittsburgh.  The P&LE pulled with Alco PA-1's then later with GP9's .  The Erie pulled with RS-2's.  It was these Erie RS-2's that took me to Cleveland to see the "Indians" play.  So would have like a correct RS-2.  Do have a P&LE PA-1 with correct cab road number.

Anyway this will have to do!

 Also have the NYC version.

It looks like your Erie "ten-hundred" will have to do for now.

I remember riding my bike along the Erie to see the commuter trains.  One Sunday night my father and I walked up to the wooden footbridge over the Erie (Harvard Avenue, Cleveland) and just as it turned dark an eastbound commuter showed up.  I loved watching the semaphores drop.

Lou N

rpmcobra posted:

Love all the photos and I would share a photo of a switcher but I posted the 2 that I have and will wait for a couple Saturdays before reposting one of mine.

don't sweat it....I only have two switchers myself, so I mainly post the real thing.

1615 moves a war prize in preparation of a mainline move to Washington.

Steamer posted:

rpmcobra posted:

Love all the photos and I would share a photo of a switcher but I posted the 2 that I have and will wait for a couple Saturdays before reposting one of mine.

don't sweat it....I only have two switchers myself, so I mainly post the real thing.

Agreed, you can post pictures of your switchers doing different things, you can post pictures of "the real deal", you can post pictures of switchers that are on your wish list, or whatever!

Great pictures again all, I hope you had a great day, see you next Switcher Saturday!

wish list? OK then...

on the wish list....but not a snowballs chance unless Ed McMahon knocks on my door with the big check, and we know Ed's condition. Even the shell, and I like rebuilders, is too steep for this one.

N&W posted:

CNJ #1601 posted:

I haven't contributed to this thread in quite a while, but I ALWAYS check it out as it's one of my favorites!

I've been working on a 3-Rail Scale (3RS) conversion of an MTH Lehigh Valley Baldwin VO-1000 switcher as time permits.  Below are a few progress photos.  With all the gray primer paint, it kind of looks like it was involved in a collision (got "sandwiched"!) and is in a state of repair waiting for final paint application!  

Next up is some final sanding and then some "LV Cornell Red" and Safety Yellow for the handrails.  Weathering (of course!) after that.

I fixed the pilots, added Kadees, full-length handrails, pilot grab irons & brake lines/hoses, and even a lantern-hanging bracket per the prototype photo in the background.

Beautiful work Joe.....brings back memories of one of the few VO's often assigned on the locals down through the Swoyersville and Luzerne areas.

Thank you, N&W!  And chances are you saw #135 as it spent many years working out of the Lehigh Valley's Coxton and Wilkes-Barre yards.  I purchased this engine for that very reason!  In fact, the background photo above was taken at Coxton.

Happy SWSAT! My Akron Barberton Cluster Railway #1502.

abbrail posted:

Happy SWSAT! My Akron Barberton Cluster Railway #1502.

Very nice. Have you seen 1502 in person or photographed it?

Being a Cleveland person I am always surprised by the remnants of ABB as I pass thru west Akron. 

Lou N

Hey fellow SWSAT buds!!  I'm late to the party today.  Too much going on and interfering with my SWSAT habit   As always, fabulous photos and very interesting information guys!

Rich thanks for your kind word ... and right back at ya too!  I must say it was a thrill to finally meet you in person as well as ChessieMD!!     Glad you got your TMCC up and running and working out the kinks.

Rich you took care of shooting photos of the front yard switchers at B&O Museum and I took care of the back yard ... all of which I took last Saturday.

Have a fun and creative week with your lives and your trains!

I'm going to squeeze one more in that I found in my research it is a Cargill SW9 that has a real cab modification and has been converted to Remote Control.  I guess there must be some clearance issue because the cab has been shaved down to the width of the long hood. Interesting oddity.

Does this count?

Lou N posted:

Very nice. Have you seen 1502 in person or photographed it? Being a Cleveland person I am always surprised by the remnants of ABB as I pass thru west Akron.

Lou,  

It's been a long time since I was able to spot the ABC. As a kid, I use to hang out in the parking lots near the A&BB facilities in Barberton any chance I could get.  I still live in the area, but my path never seems to cross the ABC. It's a great little railroad with a lot of history - at one time being owned jointly by the Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio, Erie, and Northern Ohio Railroads.

A&BB 1502 as Conrail 9602

A&BB 1502

ABC 1502

Atlas did several runs of the Alco RS1.  This was one of the very early speed control models.

Note the steam generator stack rear of the cab.

abbrail posted:

Lou N posted:

Very nice. Have you seen 1502 in person or photographed it? Being a Cleveland person I am always surprised by the remnants of ABB as I pass thru west Akron.

Lou,  

It's been a long time since I was able to spot the ABC. As a kid, I use to hang out in the parking lots near the A&BB facilities in Barberton any chance I could get.  I still live in the area, but my path never seems to cross the ABC. It's a great little railroad with a lot of history - at one time being owned jointly by the Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio, Erie, and Northern Ohio Railroads.

A&BB 1502 as Conrail 9602

A&BB 1502

ABC 1502

 

 

Thomas,

Your photos are an excellent historical perspective.

Oh to have a camera and tape recorder 50 some years ago.

Lou N

abbrail posted:

Happy SWSAT! My Akron Barberton Cluster Railway #1502.

Thomas,

Could you tell me which figures you used?

Thanks!

My newest addition, a Lionel RTR 0-8-0. Always liked the look of these locos and a train set break-up at my LHS, Engine House Hobbies, left this loco looking for a home. Once it gets "souped up" with better smoke, sound, lighting, etc. it will be a real winner! 

Mo985 posted:

Thomas,

Could you tell me which figures you used?

Thanks!

Mo985,

He's an Arttista figure: "#1551 Engineer with remote control".