Switcher Saturday 4-22-2023

Happy SWSAT everyone. Here’s Buzz doing his thing.

Glad to see your finally up and running John.

My start on an "Orange Juice Train:"

The "Ever Sweet" OJ car is a bit of an anachronism, but I wanted more than just the two RK 027 50-footers in the consist. Looking for more...

Good morning and Happy Switcher Saturday @jhz563 and @lee drennen!

Better (slightly) late than never!

MTH Railking Long Island Rail Road Alco RS-1 #462 (30-20894-1, MSRP $399.99, PS3) is a 2022 special run model by Forum sponsor Trainworld. I had been wanting to buy an MTH RS-1 for months but was waiting for Trainworld to reduce the price of their LIRR version – which didn’t happen. And, after a picture of this model was posted by a Switcher Saturday regular who shall remain nameless (but his initials are RSJB18), I couldn’t wait any longer. I like the looks of RS-1s and MTH PS3 diesels are, in my opinion, the best-running and highest-quality models that I own. This Railking engine looks like a Premier model and the diesel engine startup sounds are realistic.

RS-1 #462 arrived on the LIRR in 1949. Photographs show it working in Sunnyside Yard in Queens, NY, where my father used to take me to watch trains. It had a 1000 horsepower diesel engine, weighed 249,000 pounds, produced 34,000 pounds of tractive force at 8 miles-per-hour, and was scrapped in 1977.

The first video plays the diesel startup sounds. The locomotive is running at 17 scale miles-per-hour in the other videos.

MELGAR

Happy Switcher Saturday!  I was having fun running my two newest switchers this week.  Here is my LIRR Rs1 yielding the right of way to an MTA RS3 on his trip into the industrial part of town -

Nice acquisition @MELGAR.  Some of my best memories as a kid were when my parents took me to the sunnyside yard to watch trains!  

I posted my contribution today to the post started by Lee Drennen, not the one by JHZ.  I don’t know how to copy and paste it, so I hope you guys will toggle over to see my post!

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

I posted my contribution today to the post started by Lee Drennen, not the one by JHZ.  I don’t know how to copy and paste it, so I hope you guys will toggle over to see my post!

John

John,

Delete the initial post by clicking the rightmost icon at the bottom of the post. Then repost in the jhz563 thread.

MELGAR

Happy SWSat!

Congrats on the RS-1 Mel. It is my favorite engine to run. Enjoy! Trainworld announced that engine when MTH announced they were closing. It's one of the last custom runs from them. Did you get black or green?

Been busy with outdoor projects. Wrapping up a major one, rebuilding my 25x15 brick patio. My knees may never be the same.
I did run a few trains this week though. I've been running my Mid-Atlantic lines and have a C&O NW-1 (Lionel PWC w/ tmcc, pullmor motor), and a Western Maryland GP-9 (Lionel w/ tmcc). Both were serviced and added to my Cab-1L.

Here's a short run by video

Have a great weekend. I'm on the way outside now to torture myself some more......

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Happy SWSat!

Congrats on the RS-1 Mel. It is my favorite engine to run. Enjoy! Trainworld announced that engine when MTH announced they were closing. It's one of the last custom runs from them. Did you get black or green?

Have a great weekend. I'm on the way outside now to torture myself some more......

Bob

Bob,

I bought the black version. Was not sure how the green would look. MTH Railking diesels with PS3 are the smoothest slow-speed runners I've seen. Take it easy on those knees.

MELGAR

Mel, as I feared, I deleted it and can’t find it.  If you can help it’s probably a good idea to continue the discussion via email; I didn’t see your address in your profile. Thanks.

John

Happy Switcher Saturday.

The aftermath of being sick with Covid19 + for a couple of weeks is nice when the strength starts to recover little by little. Breathing is still relatively heavy, but we are moving in a better direction. Building the modules has been too heavy, but in a couple of days I got a few Bangor & Aroostook reefer cars done.

@MELGAR posted:

Good morning and Happy Switcher Saturday @jhz563 and @lee drennen!

Better (slightly) late than never!

MTH Railking Long Island Rail Road Alco RS-1 #462 (30-20894-1, MSRP $399.99, PS3) is a 2022 special run model by Forum sponsor Trainworld. I had been wanting to buy an MTH RS-1 for months but was waiting for Trainworld to reduce the price of their LIRR version – which didn’t happen. And, after a picture of this model was posted by a Switcher Saturday regular who shall remain nameless (but his initials are RSJB18), I couldn’t wait any longer. I like the looks of RS-1s and MTH PS3 diesels are, in my opinion, the best-running and highest-quality models that I own. This Railking engine looks like a Premier model and the diesel engine startup sounds are realistic.

RS-1 #462 arrived on the LIRR in 1949. Photographs show it working in Sunnyside Yard in Queens, NY, where my father used to take me to watch trains. It had a 1000 horsepower diesel engine, weighed 249,000 pounds, produced 34,000 pounds of tractive force at 8 miles-per-hour, and was scrapped in 1977.

The first video plays the diesel startup sounds. The locomotive is running at 17 scale miles-per-hour in the other videos.

MELGAR

Mel. Do you think there is a qualitative difference in the sound of PS2 and PS3?

Johan

Johan, get well soon!

John

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Mel. Do you think there is a qualitative difference in the sound of PS2 and PS3?

Johan

Johan,

Possibly. But, running conventionally, I think the slow-speed operation is smoother with PS3. Hope you feel better soon.

MELGAR

Fill'er up:

That's an MTH PS2 Philadelphia Bethlehem and New England diesel switcher with various boxcars of Northeastern fallen flag railroads. Arnold

My new to me Lionel Lion Chief Plus Union Pacific A5 0-4-0:

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Mel. Do you think there is a qualitative difference in the sound of PS2 and PS3?

Johan

There is definitely a noticeable difference in my roster, with my latest ps3 engine, a railking RS3, having a far louder, deeper and wider range of sounds than any premier or railking ps2 diesel I own.

MTH PS3 Great Northern VO1000 diesel switcher hauling boxcars passes by the ballpark:

Arnold

Nice looking switchers all, have a good Switcher of a day, God Bless America! Lionel switcher moving some beer.

Hi again folks.  I have the luxury of living near York PA, but I rarely have time to go to the TCA meet at the fairgrounds.   

Even though I have company coming this afternoon I managed to squeeze in a little time this morning to go see the layouts.  My youngest was along so it was destined to be entertaining.

The Stillmeadow Crossing group is the club I belong to and even though I couldn't do much I contributed some tinplate buildings for a quick module display.

Here it is,  excellently modeled by my daughter!

This WM RS-3 was the only switcher on the mainline while I was there.

River City 3 railers had two layouts going in the Black hall with lots of Menards buildings and this B&O gp unit.

Below, Lebanon Valley Railroad was on hand with G scale equipment including lots of steamers and a centercab.

I didn't catch the name of the next group but there was lots of small loco action, including this zoo under a thunderstorm!

This display had lots of fun action including Thomas themed equipment and Dinosaurs.

The Washington and Old Dominion S gauge club was onsite with a great looking display, including this Conrail-esque saddle tanker.

Then we headed over to the Black hall building to find the Standard gauge layout.  We ran into toy train royalty,  Clem of Clem's primer fame and Jim Waterman,creator on outstanding custom standard gauge locomotives were hanging out. They were very nice to me and my daughter.   

The little unit above is a wooden shell over an Ives motor and is one of the fastest machines you will ever see in Standard gauge! I have a nice video of the standard gauge gp units pulling a long train, I will post that separately.

And lastly we quickly stopped at the front of the orange hall to see the tca museum sponsored layout.   This was well done with lots of buttons.

So we accomplished our goal of blowing in and put to see layouts without buying anything.   I almost broke down in orange hall when my daughter saw the vendor and said "O what's going on in there ?  We should go in!"

I hope you enjoy my photos.   My in-laws are inbound so I gotta go.  Have a good one folks🚂

Good afternoon fellow switcher fans!!  Thanks JHZ 563 for notching out the throttle and getting us rolling today!   

I had a good time at York yesterday ... walked 4.6 miles.  Saw lots!  Bought some items but unfortunately no switchers or locos at all.  I did purchase a nice looking K line ( brand new ) billboard refer, a remote control  Ross Custom 042 switch and a K line manual O42 switch, some detail parts for scenery and some lead figures.   Not my usual haul but at least something.   I immensely enjoyed the club layouts in the Purple Hall!  I greatly appreciate all the energy, dedication, and creativity these club's members put into bringing their layouts to York ( or any train show for that matter ) It was a pleasure to meet Peter Condro in person as he was with the River City Three Railers in the Purple Hall.  Here's our selfie from yesterday!  

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Today on the Free State Junction Railroad company photographer I.C. Thrulenz is carouzing around Todds Junction.  He caught the following photos of switchers doing their thing.  

Patapsco and Back Rivers VO 1000,  Western Maryland BL2, and  the front of a C&O 0-8-0. at the Junction this morning.   Engineer Scruggy Scruggins points to the BL2 as he yells to his fireman ( whose not in the photo ) " This is our engine today!   No need to bring your coal shovel!" He punctuates his statements with one of his notorious roaring belly laughs.  

Brakeman Scotty Lionsdorf rides the front of this B&O Docksider as it pushes a special load onto a siding.  

C&O 0-8-0 is all business as it leads a 21 car freight train on the main line.

Washington Terminal RS 1 number 46 is on the service track.  Engineer Lucky Mumford waves to the camera.  

Two Washington Terminal Co. RS 1 locomotives assigned to the Free State Junction Railway basque in the sun.  Numbers 46 & 63.  Number  46 is a MTH PS3 Unit.  Number 46 is an Atlas O unit with TMCC.  Both are good runners, however, I prefer the sound of the Atlas O over the MTH.  

Double headed Standard gauge gp units working hard.

@Strap Hanger posted:

Nice acquisition @MELGAR.  Some of my best memories as a kid were when my parents took me to the sunnyside yard to watch trains!  

I have just one memory of when my dad took me to watch trains where they switched and crossed (I think) Miles Avenue and E.130th Street in Cleveland. A Saturday morning ritual much like this forum!
I remember seeing a switch tower there. I was about three so 1951 or so. It was my introduction to the magic of railroads. We usually saw a freight train pass through before we moved on.
The following Christmas, Santa brought me my first train set, a Marx tinplate diesel with an oval of track. Sadly, my dad was unable to be there that Christmas morning because he was in the hospital with his first attack of Multiple Sclerosis. A family friend hooked it up and got it running for me and I remember all that part of the story very well, too. I also know how upset my mom was with the situation but carried on as best she could.
Funny how one’s memory locks in a few things from an early age but not most.

@BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Happy Switcher Saturday.

The aftermath of being sick with Covid19 + for a couple of weeks is nice when the strength starts to recover little by little. Breathing is still relatively heavy, but we are moving in a better direction. Building the modules has been too heavy, but in a couple of days I got a few Bangor & Aroostook reefer cars done.

Wow, I hoped Covid was really winding down. I sure hope you improve quickly and gain your strength back! Take good care of yourself. And congrats on Finland joining NATO. Welcome aboard!

@MELGAR posted:

Good morning and Happy Switcher Saturday @jhz563 and @lee drennen!

Better (slightly) late than never!

MTH Railking Long Island Rail Road Alco RS-1 #462 (30-20894-1, MSRP $399.99, PS3) is a 2022 special run model by Forum sponsor Trainworld. I had been wanting to buy an MTH RS-1 for months but was waiting for Trainworld to reduce the price of their LIRR version – which didn’t happen. And, after a picture of this model was posted by a Switcher Saturday regular who shall remain nameless (but his initials are RSJB18), I couldn’t wait any longer. I like the looks of RS-1s and MTH PS3 diesels are, in my opinion, the best-running and highest-quality models that I own. This Railking engine looks like a Premier model and the diesel engine startup sounds are realistic.

RS-1 #462 arrived on the LIRR in 1949. Photographs show it working in Sunnyside Yard in Queens, NY, where my father used to take me to watch trains. It had a 1000 horsepower diesel engine, weighed 249,000 pounds, produced 34,000 pounds of tractive force at 8 miles-per-hour, and was scrapped in 1977.

The first video plays the diesel startup sounds. The locomotive is running at 17 scale miles-per-hour in the other videos.

MELGAR

Mel enjoyed the pics and videos you always surprise us with them.

@Steam Crazy posted:

Johan, get well soon!

John

John,

Thank you. Thats the plan. 🤝

Johan

@MELGAR posted:

Johan,

Possibly. But, running conventionally, I think the slow-speed operation is smoother with PS3. Hope you feel better soon.

MELGAR

Melgar,

Thank you. 🤝

Johan

@Dave Warburton posted:

Wow, I hoped Covid was really winding down. I sure hope you improve quickly and gain your strength back! Take good care of yourself. And congrats on Finland joining NATO. Welcome aboard!

Dave Warburton,

Thank you. NATO does create a sense of security, even though crazy Putin can be completely unpredictable. 🤝

Johan

@Strap Hanger posted:

There is definitely a noticeable difference in my roster, with my latest ps3 engine, a railking RS3, having a far louder, deeper and wider range of sounds than any premier or railking ps2 diesel I own.

Strap Hanger,

Thanks for the information. 🤝

Johan

@BAR GP7 #63- Johan glad your feeling better, hope the trend continues.  Today I have a picture of one of my hard working Marx 588 switchers.  Marx made these in many liveries and colors, the NYC version came in 3 colors, black, grey, and maroon with the black seeming to be the most common and the grey the least common ... so here is my NYC 588 GE 70 Ton Switcher by Marx.  These were made between 1958-1962.  Despite the excellent cast in detail on the truck frames, these 588's only were 4 wheel drive motors with the 2 drive wheels on each side located near the center of the frame.

  By the way, jhz 563 your daughter looked like she really enjoyed that those layouts and the running trains.  Melgar - what a neat new switcher, I like the sounds for sure but have not been very successful in adopting this technology to my 50's technology layout. Johan, Arnold, Stangtrain, Sitka, and Trumptrain - great pictures, thanks for posting.

Best wishes to all, hope your weekend is going well

Don

From my archives

@Don McErlean posted:

@BAR GP7 #63- Johan glad your feeling better, hope the trend continues.  Today I have a picture of one of my hard working Marx 588 switchers.  Marx made these in many liveries and colors, the NYC version came in 3 colors, black, grey, and maroon with the black seeming to be the most common and the grey the least common ... so here is my NYC 588 GE 70 Ton Switcher by Marx.  These were made between 1958-1962.  Despite the excellent cast in detail on the truck frames, these 588's only were 4 wheel drive motors with the 2 drive wheels on each side located near the center of the frame.

  By the way, jhz 563 your daughter looked like she really enjoyed that those layouts and the running trains.  Melgar - what a neat new switcher, I like the sounds for sure but have not been very successful in adopting this technology to my 50's technology layout. Johan, Arnold, Stangtrain, Sitka, and Trumptrain - great pictures, thanks for posting.

Best wishes to all, hope your weekend is going well

Don

Don,

Thank you very much. 🤝

Johan

Good to see so many forumites checking out the River City 3 Railers layout at York.  Nice selfie of Patrick and Peter.

@Dave Warburton posted:

I have just one memory of when my dad took me to watch trains where they switched and crossed (I think) Miles Avenue and E.130th Street in Cleveland. A Saturday morning ritual much like this forum!
I remember seeing a switch tower there. I was about three so 1951 or so. It was my introduction to the magic of railroads. We usually saw a freight train pass through before we moved on.

Hello Dave,

To be more specific, it was the Erie Railroad that crossed the intersection of East 131st Street and Miles Road diagonally.  The tower was to operate the pneumatic gates all around this intersection.  They had a locomotive bell on the outside of the tower that the operator would ring to alert everyone that a train was coming and he was about to drop the gates. 

I remember seeing an ore train headed for North Randall Yard.  It had a berk on front and two berks pushing followed by two cabooses.  The locos were near white from all the sand they dropped.  It was the ruling grade out of Cleveland lakefront.  Actually got to see the Morning Steel King headed into Cleveland once.  My dad and I would walk up to the tracks on Sunday nights to see the Cleveland Indians Baseball Special head out of town.

Worked at Spark's Hobby Shop in the 60's just north of the intersection.  Almost always Erie RS3's.

Good times!

Lou N

I grew on the west side of Cleveland-Lakewood, by the NKP and NYC.

@Don McErlean posted:

@BAR GP7 #63- Johan glad your feeling better, hope the trend continues.  Today I have a picture of one of my hard working Marx 588 switchers.  Marx made these in many liveries and colors, the NYC version came in 3 colors, black, grey, and maroon with the black seeming to be the most common and the grey the least common ... so here is my NYC 588 GE 70 Ton Switcher by Marx.  These were made between 1958-1962.  Despite the excellent cast in detail on the truck frames, these 588's only were 4 wheel drive motors with the 2 drive wheels on each side located near the center of the frame.

  By the way, jhz 563 your daughter looked like she really enjoyed that those layouts and the running trains.  Melgar - what a neat new switcher, I like the sounds for sure but have not been very successful in adopting this technology to my 50's technology layout. Johan, Arnold, Stangtrain, Sitka, and Trumptrain - great pictures, thanks for posting.

Best wishes to all, hope your weekend is going well

Don

Great little switcher, Don! It's interesting that Marx repurposed a small steamer drive to power this little 70-tonner.

Another great SWSat!

@MELGAR -  I have the green model. Although you wouldn't know it unless you put both side by side.
@BAR GP7 #63- Hope you are feeling better Johan. The pandemic may be over but Covid is here to stay.
@jhz563 @trumpettrain- thank for sharing your York pix. And a SWSat shout out to Peter @Putnam Division. Can't wait to read the article about your disappearing train module.
@Steam Crazy- I read your post on the other thread just before you deleted it. No worries, I can vouch for you that you had a SWSat post up this week.

Have a good Sunday.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Another great SWSat!

@MELGAR -  I have the green model. Although you wouldn't know it unless you put both side by side.
@BAR GP7 #63- Hope you are feeling better Johan. The pandemic may be over but Covid is here to stay.
@jhz563 @trumpettrain- thank for sharing your York pix. And a SWSat shout out to Peter @Putnam Division. Can't wait to read the article about your disappearing train module.
@Steam Crazy- I read your post on the other thread just before you deleted it. No worries, I can vouch for you that you had a SWSat post up this week.

Have a good Sunday.

Bob

Bob,

Thank you. I feel somewhat better already. I had already forgotten Covid19, but it hadn't forgotten me.

Johan