Switcher Saturday: 2019-Jun-29

New York Central GP-9 #6001 (MTH Premier 20-20549) is a recent O gauge acquisition. I’m very impressed by its excellent detailing, paint, sounds, and operation. From the placement of the engineer and fireman figures on this model, it appears that the NYC ran their diesels long hood forward. This purchase is the result of reading about the New York Central’s Putnam Division and the New York and Harlem Railroad. I probably should avoid buying books which lead to locomotive purchases. However, does anyone have a Lionel scale NYC Ten-Wheeler that they don’t need?

MELGAR

Happy Switcher Saturday all

I love the MA & PA

Yay SWSat is on!

We are off to a great start this AM. Dave @Steamer love those RF&P lokeys. @MELGAR That book is on my list. I really enjoyed the West Shore Line book they did a few years ago. 

I have a few pictures from this weeks travels and I am getting packed for a little vacation in the Adirondacks this week. So taking a short break from packing the car to post. 

As you can see last weekend again working on the 1 train. Everything was done before Monday AM commuting .

These next are some work at Penn Station. A hi railer moving some work cars.

Last up admiring some 2 rail O scale brass NYC electrics on the NYSME layout before shakedown runs  

Have a great weekend. Can’t wait to see what you guys post.  Now for 8 hours of “are we there yets”.

@MELGAR - great looking addition!  I read somewhere that NYC did in fact run their early diesels "long hood forward", and had the "F" (front) mark up there, backwards compared to other railroads.  The RS-3 LionChief+ in my video is the same way, but I know other roads ran them "backwards".  I too would love to find a Lionel NYC 10 wheeler, I almost jumped on one a couple years ago, it's on my list.  p.s. the characters in the boxcar look awesome, great video!

@rpmcobra - The Ma&Pa prototype to model, great pictures!  I love when folks can find "real world" pictures of their models.

@Steamer Dave - looks like a lot of 16% fun on your layout today!  The RF&P picture reminds me that there is a RF&P historical society meeting here in my town today, but I'm not going to be able to make it over there to listen in, I hope I can catch the next one, I've heard they are good.

Have a great weekend all....Rich 

hey @Silver Lake - those 2 rail engines look awesome, have a great trip!

@Bill T - great picture, thank you for posting it!

MELGAR posted:

New York Central GP-9 #6001 (MTH Premier 20-20549) is a recent O gauge acquisition. I’m very impressed by its excellent detailing, paint, sounds, and operation. From the placement of the engineer and fireman figures on this model, it appears that the NYC ran their diesels long hood forward. This purchase is the result of reading about the New York Central’s Putnam Division and the New York and Harlem Railroad. I probably should avoid buying books which lead to locomotive purchases. However, does anyone have a Lionel scale NYC Ten-Wheeler that they don’t need?

MELGAR

That is one fine NY Central switcher locomotive and layout, Melgar. Commodore Vanderbuilt would be very pleased! Arnold

I forget what the name is of this type of switcher in the video below. The box for this LC+ Erie engine is buried in my basement. Maybe one of you folks knows the name:

It sure looks like a yard goat or critter to me.

Look closely at the video. OMG, a man is down, maybe hit by the train. OMG, this is an emergency! Think of the lawsuits! Oh, I forgot, I'm a lawyer, lawsuits are a good thing!

LOL, Arnold 

Happy Switcher Saturday everyone. Great pictures and stories everyone.

Speaking of books on railroads, I picked up an unusual book on Sir Arthur Heywood's 15 inch narrow gauge railroad in England. It ran in the late 1800's and was only around 3/4's of a mile long. 

He is seen here with his first locomotive, Effie, an 0-4-0:

Here is Ella, an 0-6-0:

Hey, who wouldn't want a railroad on their own property?

Tom 

A G Scale GP running in circles above the cheese department at our local Wegmans (fancy pants) grocery store, which we don't shop at too often, and when we do I spend at least a couple minutes watching this thing go around and around.

Happy SWSat!

Another great start today- Thanks Rich. Love the video of your RS-3. Good to have a friend nearby with a bigger layout to run on.

Mel- very nice addition to the fleet. Now I want one

Dave- you always find great historical photos.

Andy- that looks like quite a project on the #1. Have a safe trip north.

Bill T- great colors on that RS-3

RPMCobra- Love the MA&PA

This week I have yet another new addition to the fleet. I actually have a few more that are still in the boxes, just need time to get them out and on the rails. This is a Lionel B&O GP-9 with railsounds, and command. The B&O is one of my favorites and I've been looking for this paint scheme for a while. Runs great but I quickly discovered that many weeks of dormant layout means its time to clean the track.

Here's it is pulling a couple of box cars.

Everyone have a great weekend and a happy and safe 4th of July. (Did someone say long weekend?)

Bob

And a poor, dirty track induced, run -by

Looks like the B&O also ran their GEEPs long hood forward. Guess that means I need to turn mine around.

Love the videos this morning I always admire how talented many of you are in your lay outs. 

Happy Switcher Saturday To All. S.B.R. ALCO HH660 #150 "Anchor" & Maine Central Alco S2 #301 switching at Morrison. Mine K-Line scratch built Santa Fe MP15 #221303, working on the Cape Shark yard.

                 MTH Railking SW1500 w/BN specific details added.

Visited Essex Steam

Train & Riverboat yesterday. Just in time for Switcher Saturday.

Good morning fellow SwSAT friends!!  Lots of wonderful photos, videos and information posted already by you guys today!

Rich - thanks so much for notching out the throttle and getting us rolling this morning!  Love your video!  Nothing like an ALCO RS, one of my favorite locomotives, doing it's thing!  Btw - the Wegmens in Columbia, Md. also has a G gauge train layout suspended from the ceiling.  I, like you, always take a few minutes to watch the train take it's course around the layout.

RSJB - Yes B&O always ran their GP, RS, and any other long hood loco, long hood first.  Doing so was their standard practice in that it kept crews safer in grade crossing accidents, and possibly head end crashes as well.  I grew up along the B&O and saw many of GP9, GP7, pulling trains in passenger, and freight service ... always with the long hood forward.   There is one photo that I came across ( can't remember where now ) which depicted a B&O GP 7 or 9 on a wreck train with short hood first, however, I would think the train was scrambled at the last minute so it could respond to the wreck quickly,  with no time to get the locomotive long hood first.  

MELGAR - Very nice video of your new GP9 which looks great btw!  Yes reading train books can lead to new locomotive purchases for sure.  Train book dealers need to post a " Buyer Beware" sign.

Andy - Thanks for keeping us updated on the ongoing work on the number 1 line in NYC.  Always interesting photos!  Love the boxcab and steeple cab locos too!!  Enjoy your vacation!

Tom MNCW - Love the Heywood  switchers ( 15 inch gauge ) 3/4 mile railroad photos!   3/4 mile leaves no question that this is a " short line".

Arnold - for some odd reason I couldn't get your video to work.  I'm sure is great though! 

RPMCOBRA - I love those photos of the Ma & Pa end cab switchers!   I have a Ma & Pa SW 1 number 70 in my fleet.  Long live the Ma & Pa!! 

Steamer - Dave, as always, great and interesting photos of steam switchers!!

Today on the Free State Junction Railway: B&O SW 9 on the point of a coal transfer run from East Yard to Westerly Yard.   Everyone enjoy your weekend and run some trains if you have time!!  

PAUL ROMANO posted:

                 MTH Railking SW1500 w/BN specific details added.

What are you using on the smoke stacks of your locomotive. I would like to also customize mine like yours.  I've heard from a member that it's some kind of small AC unit piece ?

rpmcobra posted:

PAUL ROMANO posted:

                 MTH Railking SW1500 w/BN specific details added.

What are you using on the smoke stacks of your locomotive. I would like to also customize mine like yours.  I've heard from a member that it's some kind of small AC unit piece ?

Those are "beehive" spark arresters that I bought online years ago. I can't remember the mfg.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I forget what the name is of this type of switcher in the video below. The box for this LC+ Erie engine is buried in my basement. Maybe one of you folks knows the name:

It sure looks like a yard goat or critter to me.

Look closely at the video. OMG, a man is down, maybe hit by the train. OMG, this is an emergency! Think of the lawsuits! Oh, I forgot, I'm a lawyer, lawsuits are a good thing!

LOL, Arnold 

The above video that I posted about 2 hours ago is finally working. 

Anyone know the technical name of this LC+ Erie switcher?

Also, is it a critter or yard goat? I love those names. Arnold 

Murnane posted:

@MELGAR - great looking addition!  I read somewhere that NYC did in fact run their early diesels "long hood forward", and had the "F" (front) mark up there, backwards compared to other railroads.  The RS-3 LionChief+ in my video is the same way, but I know other roads ran them "backwards".  I too would love to find a Lionel NYC 10 wheeler, I almost jumped on one a couple years ago, it's on my list.  p.s. the characters in the boxcar look awesome, great video!

@rpmcobra - The Ma&Pa prototype to model, great pictures!  I love when folks can find "real world" pictures of their models.

@Steamer Dave - looks like a lot of 16% fun on your layout today!  The RF&P picture reminds me that there is a RF&P historical society meeting here in my town today, but I'm not going to be able to make it over there to listen in, I hope I can catch the next one, I've heard they are good.

Have a great weekend all....Rich 

 

Lionel always depicted their Geeps running long hood forward in their 1950s catalogs, so that was how I always thought they ran.  I run mine that way to this day. I think they look better that style anyway! Certainly safer for the crew!

I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize my old friend and fixture on the train scene in Northest Ohio, Jimmy Berilla.

Jim was owner of the oldest remaining train store in Cleveland, the “Trading Post.” It was established in 1950 and Jim took it over from one of the original owners, Ralph Brown, in 1989.

Truly one of the last of the old style postwar type train shops, little changed over all the years. A trip back to my childhood every time I walked through the door (Which I did frequently over the years).

Jimmy passed away after a short illness several days ago. He will be missed, as much for his joy of life as anything else. Quite a guy.

A couple of toots on all your engine horns would be appropriate to wish Jimmy well as he heads off to that  Great Roundhouse in the Sky.

“High Green and Full Steam,” my friend!

Thanks.

Rich,

I agree with you - it's fun to find photos of the prototype of the trains we own. Here are some of mine.

Charlie

First video try...Happy Switcher Saturday!

Arnold, that Erie is referred to as a Camel back. I believe they were used for revenue service, not just switching duties.

Johan,  I can see the work you've done to the pilots and undercarriage of the K-line MP15.  Is the Santa Fe paint original?  What other details did you add?

Joe. The Santa Fe paint scheme is a original. I added interior, fuel tanks, Kadees, some handrails &  airhoses…….

Johan

coach joe posted:

Arnold, that Erie is referred to as a Camel back. I believe they were used for revenue service, not just switching duties.

Johan,  I can see the work you've done to the pilots and undercarriage of the K-line MP15.  Is the Santa Fe paint original?  What other details did you add?

Thank you Joe for mentioning that the Erie engine is a camel back.  What does revenue service mean? Was it used for freight? For passengers?

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

Unknown location. It looks like a Baldwin to my untrained Diesel eye.

 

Hi Randy:

The above picture is a FM switcher.

Andre

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

Unknown location. It looks like a Baldwin to my untrained Diesel eye.

PRR 44 Tonner, location unknown.

PRR RAT, 30th St. Philadelphia

#560 in Philadelphia

PRR A5 #855, taken in 1941 in Tacony, Pa.

Randy - Great photos!  Thanks for posting the locations of each photo.  Doing so gives deeper insight and context which in turn allows for a greater depth of appreciation of each photo, at least for me.  

Arnold I think they were predominately passenger service but I don't know for certain.

@Arnold D. Cribari & @coach joe - I found the following link that has some neat pics of Erie Camelbacks:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com...s/camelback/erie.php

Another good camelback link:
https://sites.google.com/site/...-6-0/d-4-6-0/e-other

Best...Rich

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

PRR 44 Tonner, location unknown.

 

This one might be a leased Pennsy Switcher on the Union Transportation short line in southern New Jersey. The line leased the last Pennsy 44 tonner #9999 for several years as their sole power unit.the line served Fort Dix and Had terminus and offices in New Egypt.  Like a few years before when the UT operated the last B6 and last Pennsy Steamer in leased service.

This GE unit lasted into PC service until UT gave up in 1977. 

@PRR8976/ Tom P/ @Doodle-Slug and I talk about this line quite a bit. 

Silver Lake:

Thanks for the clarification of the location of the 44 tonner. I know, the PRSL also had several on the Jersey shore. The were so light that they did not require a second engine man, so, many firemen were put out of business. But, when you think of it, can you imagine the embarrassment telling people that your job is fireman on a Diesel locomotive?

A little night action...

Silver Lake posted:

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

PRR 44 Tonner, location unknown.

 

This one might be a leased Pennsy Switcher on the Union Transportation short line in southern New Jersey. The line leased the last Pennsy 44 tonner #9999 for several years as their sole power unit.the line served Fort Dix and Had terminus and offices in New Egypt.  Like a few years before when the UT operated the last B6 and last Pennsy Steamer in leased service.

This GE unit lasted into PC service until UT gave up in 1977. 

@PRR8976/ Tom P/ @Doodle-Slug and I talk about this line quite a bit. 

Yes, Andy, you are correct, that this locomotive is operating under lease to Union Transportation which was based in New Egypt, NJ. This photo was taken at Hornerstown, NJ, not far from New Egypt, as the train crossed the Lahaway Creek trestle.

Good segue in fact to an important date coming up...The 60th Anniversary is coming up. The last day of service for B6sb #5244 on July 14, 1959, marked the end of the Pennsy's illustrious steam program. Anyone with a B6 switcher may want to hug their B6 locos in celebration.  Sadly, I will be forced to continue these hugs into the next millennium.  

Tom 

MNCW posted:

Silver Lake posted:

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

PRR 44 Tonner, location unknown.

 

This one might be a leased Pennsy Switcher on the Union Transportation short line in southern New Jersey. The line leased the last Pennsy 44 tonner #9999 for several years as their sole power unit.the line served Fort Dix and Had terminus and offices in New Egypt.  Like a few years before when the UT operated the last B6 and last Pennsy Steamer in leased service.

This GE unit lasted into PC service until UT gave up in 1977. 

@PRR8976/ Tom P/ @Doodle-Slug and I talk about this line quite a bit. 

Yes, Andy, you are correct, that this locomotive is operating under lease to Union Transportation which was based in New Egypt, NJ. This photo was taken at Hornerstown, NJ, not far from New Egypt, as the train crossed the Lahaway Creek trestle.

Good segue in fact to an important date coming up...The 60th Anniversary is coming up. The last day of service for B6sb #5244 on July 14, 1959, marked the end of the Pennsy's illustrious steam program. Anyone with a B6 switcher may want to hug their B6 locos in celebration.  Sadly, I will be forced to continue these hugs into the next millennium.  

Tom 

Thanks for the history lesson Tom. Guess I know what I'll be posting for SWSat in two weeks.

Bob

MNCW posted:

Silver Lake posted:

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

PRR 44 Tonner, location unknown.

 

This one might be a leased Pennsy Switcher on the Union Transportation short line in southern New Jersey. The line leased the last Pennsy 44 tonner #9999 for several years as their sole power unit.the line served Fort Dix and Had terminus and offices in New Egypt.  Like a few years before when the UT operated the last B6 and last Pennsy Steamer in leased service.

This GE unit lasted into PC service until UT gave up in 1977. 

@PRR8976/ Tom P/ @Doodle-Slug and I talk about this line quite a bit. 

Yes, Andy, you are correct, that this locomotive is operating under lease to Union Transportation which was based in New Egypt, NJ. This photo was taken at Hornerstown, NJ, not far from New Egypt, as the train crossed the Lahaway Creek trestle.

Good segue in fact to an important date coming up...The 60th Anniversary is coming up. The last day of service for B6sb #5244 on July 14, 1959, marked the end of the Pennsy's illustrious steam program. Anyone with a B6 switcher may want to hug their B6 locos in celebration.  Sadly, I will be forced to continue these hugs into the next millennium.  

Tom 

Tom:

Thanks for the details on this engine. Being a bit of a history fan, I enjoy learning such background and encourage other OGR Forum members to contribute such when they can.

laming posted:

Randy Harrison posted:

Here are some PRR switchers.

Unknown location. It looks like a Baldwin to my untrained Diesel eye.

 

Hi Randy:

The above picture is a FM switcher.

Andre

Andre:

Thanks for the clarification. As I said, I am not as familiar with Diesels as I am with Steam locomotives.