Switcher Saturday 4-29-2023

Love the fact that Switcher Saturday is starting at the crack of dawn this morning. Thanks jhz563 for doing that.

I believe this gorgeous recent acqisition of mine in the video below, the K Line NY Central 4-6-6T tank engine, qualifies as a steam switcher:

Arnold

Good morning jhz563 and Arnold,

New York Central Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 diesel switcher #9110 is an MTH Railking model (30-21010-1 with PS3) that I purchased from Forum sponsor JR Junction Train and Hobby of Syracuse, New York.

There were no defects in packaging, design, assembly or the model’s lightning-stripe paint scheme. This outstanding manufacturing quality is typical of MTH Railking diesels that I’ve bought recently.

Although other locomotive builders made high-hood diesels, the appearance of the Fairbanks-Morse version is distinctive, with a rear cab-roof overhang like a steam locomotive.

New York Central #9110 was the last of five NYC Class DES-14c locomotives. It was built in 1950 and had a 6-cylinder opposed-piston engine that developed 1000 horsepower at 800 RPM with 2 pistons in each cylinder – a design that was used in US Navy submarines during World War 2. The engine had two crankshafts, was expensive to maintain, and very tall; hence the high-hood of the H10-44. Its starting tractive effort was 72,000 pounds and 34,000 pounds at 9 miles-per-hour. Maximum speed was 60 miles-per-hour and 195 units were built between 1944 and 1950.

The photos show the engine on my 12’-by-8’ layout and the videos show its first run at 11.5 scale miles-per-hour in conventional operation.

MELGAR

Greetings, SwSat nation!  Your Yardmaster -having found the “well of creativity” has run dry this morning - decided to go to the archives for today’s contribution. As a tribute to Spring and a reminder we’re not that far from winter, he has decided to post some photos of his favorite plow extras.

John

                                                       LIRR -

Happy Switcher Saturday! Great pics so far everyone.  Here are some trackside photos of switchers in action downtown, where the local punks are gathering for some action at their favorite trackside hangout -

Have a great weekend all, PW Lionel U.S. Army #44 relocating some missiles. God and Country

Happy SWSat!

Outdoor work continues so nothing new this week for me either. Looks like a rain out this weekend here in the northeast so maybe I can get a start on next week's post.

Here's my collection of Beeps.....I have a Chessie shell that I need to dig out. Nice thing with these is the shells snap on and off easily so one powered chassis can be used with different shells.

This one got a full ERR install with a railsounds board and LED lighting.

Have a good weekend!

Bob

Good morning SWSAT crew!

I was going through some photos on the computer and this one popped out as a good SWSAT subject.

Penn Central SW8 8616 (Atlas O) leads a cut of hoppers down a secondary track:

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tom

I bought this Atlas RS1 last week at York from Nassau Hobbies…the previous owner beat it up pretty good with some heavy weathering…but for 100.00 dollars I took a chance to find out it is still a excellent runner !

My son found a deal he couldn’t pass up at York for the new N&W H10-44.  Smooth runner with nice smoke.

My latest buy from Beth at Public Delivery Track…

A MTH Missouri, Kansas and Texas MP15AC switcher.

I am currently painting a steel offset cupola caboose in the earlier all yellow scheme, to accompany the switcher…

Tom

Good afternoon fellow switcher fans!  Thanks JHZ563 for notching out the throttle and getting us rolling this morning!  

MELGAR your H10-44 Fairbanks Morse switcher is really wetting my appetite to get one in B&O.  I just love the design of this switcher with the tall high hood and roof overhang ... I think ( ? ) Raymond Lowey designed the body of this unit.  Could I be right?  

I really enjoyed looking at everyone's switchers, scenes, and videos!!

Today I have up a weathering job I've done for my friend and fellow forumite Randy Harrison.  His layout is named the Great Northeastern RR.   This Docksider ( by MTH ) has the GNERR logo on each side albeit schmutzed up a bit due to the heavy weathering.  Randy said he wanted the look to be of a locomotive that's been earning its' keep and too busy to have ever been thru the wash rack.  So here it is showing decades of caked on grime. I installed a wood beam across the locomotives pilot using a Gargraves cross tie.  

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Wow folks, some really good pictures here for a Saturday morning...jhz563 with a Steelers station and a "Dr. No" phonebox, Arnold with a new 4-6-6-T, Melgar and jstraw44 both with new FM H10's, steamcrazy with snow plows, SIRT- beautiful scenes with superb modeling, Strap Hanger - oh oh trouble brewing at that corner tavern, SITKA and the Army 44 pulling rockets, RSJB18 had some really cool "BEEPs" , Tom Densel-the b&w picture really enhances realism of that SW-8, taycotrains with what looks to be a LIRR RS3 - no?, and Krieglok with a neat MP-15.  Great photos and posts everyone.

Well following RSJB18 here is one of my favorite BEEPS, the PRR BEEP pulling her consist on my "summer layout" on the front porch of a family home near a beach, I always joke the scenery is ... a winter scene with a heavy snow after an ice storm!!

Here is a fun little gal, this is a Hornby 101 type locomotive, once, as you can see by the hole in the side tank, a clockwork locomotive but now re-powered with a Marx 4 wheel electric mechanism.  Here she pulls a short string of Hornby LMS coaches.

Best wishes to everyone and hope your are enjoying your weekend.

Don

@trumptrain - Patrick, super job that Docksider looks really great.  The wooden beam across the pilot is an added detail that looks really good.  I love "Docksider's" and have looked for one to acquire but so far no luck.  (P.S. I still have my HO Docksider from the 1950's as does almost everyone else - they were really popular!)

Don

Hi all switchers!
As always, I remain inspired by all the creative work here.  The B&M GP38 was just backdated to fit my railroad.  It’s currently switching the Springfield Yard, with lots of tonnage in play.

This loco started life as a Weaver shell and frame (fixed pilots) with a replacement fuel tank (correct size) and Williams trucks (for weight).   The dynamic brake blister was removed, styrene with Archer rivets covered the hole, and a correct profile horn added from a donor in my parts bin.  

Rustoleum auto primer was overcoated with Scalecoat II, decaled with Walthers, and weathered with Pan Pastels.  Trucks/couplers had a mix of flat black and roof brown “distributed and dry brushed”.

Don

A little late to the SWSAT "BEEParty," here's my flEEt, each with her own boxcar:

@Strap Hanger posted:

Happy Switcher Saturday! Great pics so far everyone.  Here are some trackside photos of switchers in action downtown, where the local punks are gathering for some action at their favorite trackside hangout -

Just here for The Talking Heads, officer! https://www.google.com/search?...q=talking+heads+cbgb

Legacy Susquehanna S-2 switcher hauling a mixed freight passed the ball park:

Arnold

Did someone say Beeps!

These are from 2019 on my old layout.

Charlie

@Don McErlean posted:

@trumptrain - Patrick, super job that Docksider looks really great.  The wooden beam across the pilot is an added detail that looks really good.  I love "Docksider's" and have looked for one to acquire but so far no luck.  (P.S. I still have my HO Docksider from the 1950's as does almost everyone else - they were really popular!)

Don

Don - thank you so very much!!  Yes the HO version of the Docksider by Varney was probably the most popular HO locomotive at one time.   I can remember seeing HO set boxes with this locomotive's photograph prominently  place on the box.   The sets usually had about 4 cars with the locomotive.  

I hope you find a Dockside someday soon.  I got mine on E bay about 15 years ago. I've never had a problem with it.  

@Don McErlean posted:

@trumptrain - Patrick, super job that Docksider looks really great.  The wooden beam across the pilot is an added detail that looks really good.  I love "Docksider's" and have looked for one to acquire but so far no luck.  (P.S. I still have my HO Docksider from the 1950's as does almost everyone else - they were really popular!)

Don

Here's a nice "Docksider" Don. It is Lionel's version of ALCo's c. 1910 industrial saddle tank switcher from 2004-5:

Many on the Forum have these; like ALCo, Lionel produced this steamer in many liveries. She is conventional control with smoke and a whistle (that sounds like a horn). She's a good runner and puller, but don't get ANY lubricant on the collector roller pins. This will cause a LOT of stalling (and unwanted direction changes!).

They are running between $100 and $200 online depending on condition AND roadname.

Picked these two up at York.

@NJCJOE posted:

Picked these two up at York.

Ooooo....  tell me more about this one!

Okay I'm a day late and a switcher short.  No Photos today but I have to chime in.

"These are not the droids we're looking for"

Arnold the K-Line 4-6-6T is really nice, it's been on my wish list since they first came out.  Just too many reasons not to have one.

Mel, jstraw, those H10-44s are sweet.

Bob great score on the RS1

Beeps abound when you know where to find them.  I'll have to set up a trail camera to catch some photos for next week.

@Bill Swatos - thanks for the info on the Lionel docksider, did not know about that version, am on the hunt.  Plus Bill you and cpowell have a fine fleet of "BEEP's"  We should do a "BEEP" round up some time on one post or another, might be fun.

Best Wishes

Don

Don, Lionel is offering new Docksiders in four road names.  They have been upgraded with fan driven smoke, Railsounds (the whistle probably doesn't sound like a buzzer any more), command control and more.  This comes at a price, of course, about three times what they cost in 2004.

I have the same NYC version (TALES OF THE DOCKSIDER) as Bill Swatos.  I ran it so much I wore it out.  It's a dummy now.

John

@jhz563 posted:

Ooooo....  tell me more about this one!

It's a RailKing MP15DC with PS3.

@Steam Crazy posted:

Don, Lionel is offering new Docksiders in four road names.  They have been upgraded with fan driven smoke, Railsounds (the whistle probably doesn't sound like a buzzer any more), command control and more.  This comes at a price, of course, about three times what they cost in 2004.

I have the same NYC version (TALES OF THE DOCKSIDER) as Bill Swatos.  I ran it so much I wore it out.  It's a dummy now.

John

John, what was the failure mode of your docksider?

@Don McErlean posted:

@Bill Swatos - thanks for the info on the Lionel docksider, did not know about that version, am on the hunt.  Plus Bill you and cpowell have a fine fleet of "BEEP's"  We should do a "BEEP" round up some time on one post or another, might be fun.

Best Wishes

Don

How 'bout "Where's your BEEP?"

Bill, first it started running unevenly, like there was friction somewhere in the drivetrain (although it was properly lubed).  Then it stopped and started smoking, but the smoke came out of the cab, not the stack!  That was the end!  I hope your Docksider still runs OK.  Mine had a lot of miles; I can't complain, it served me well.  And it still looks good sitting on a siding or double heading with another engine.

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bill, first it started running unevenly, like there was friction somewhere in the drivetrain (although it was properly lubed).  Then it stopped and started smoking, but the smoke came out of the cab, not the stack!  That was the end!  I hope your Docksider still runs OK.  Mine had a lot of miles; I can't complain, it served me well.  And it still looks good sitting on a siding or double heading with another engine.

John

John,

Is that your X-8688 Docksider that stopped running? Is the yardmaster contemplating repair?

MELGAR

@Strap Hanger posted:

Very cool idea and well done!

I can't seem to find that model on the internet, did you make that yourself?

CBGB's won't fit in on my layout, but I have a diorama idea. I saw Joan Jett there in 1977, or so. She had white spiked hair back then. lol

MELGAR, yes, it’s the famous Docksider.  No, your Yardmaster isn’t contemplating a repair, he doesn’t think it’s worth it.  He’s guessing parts and labor would cost at least $200, two thirds of the cost of a new one in NH livery (which would probably be a better investment).  Trainworld is advertising them for $314.99.

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bill, first it started running unevenly, like there was friction somewhere in the drivetrain (although it was properly lubed).  Then it stopped and started smoking, but the smoke came out of the cab, not the stack!  That was the end!  I hope your Docksider still runs OK.  Mine had a lot of miles; I can't complain, it served me well.  And it still looks good sitting on a siding or double heading with another engine.

John

Thanks, John. I'm sorry to hear she went out that way. Mine is running well now, although I don't have that much operating time on her. You mention uneven running. I observed quite a bit of that with mine initially, especially at low speed. I found that the piston guides were binding at full "compression" on both sides. Lubrication of the guides did not rectify the problem. I did some jewelry file work on the guides and eliminated the binding. I also "supplemented" the lube in the gearbox with molybdenum disulfide grease with extreme pressure additive. After all that, she ran much more smoothly at the lowest speed she would run (12 smph @ 2.1v). So, I hope I get many more hours of service from her.

I have the SantaFe model. These are great runners, and heavy for their size. I recall a thread a while back discussing the issues with the early versions including drive train, and undersized motors.

I can attest to their ability to fly as well. Unfortunately they haven't figured out how to land properly.....

Mine took a unscheduled trip to the floor after a shirt sleeve caught the stack. Other than the fireman needing to be put back in his seat, it survived with little damage.

Bob

@CNJ Jim posted:

Very cool idea and well done!

I can't seem to find that model on the internet, did you make that yourself?

CBGB's won't fit in on my layout, but I have a diorama idea. I saw Joan Jett there in 1977, or so. She had white spiked hair back then. lol

Thanks CNJ. It was completely scratch built ( read more here -  https://ogrforum.com/...7#153463017475357837  ).  I saw a number of great bands there as well, including the Ramones, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, etc.

Hey, @Bill Swatos , if you click on the above link, you'll see an actual CBGB's poster for the Talking Heads in the lower right hand corner of the building (it is being blocked by a figure in the photo you copied). Great band and great venue to see them up close and personal.

@Strap Hanger posted:

Thanks CNJ. It was completely scratch built ( read more here -  https://ogrforum.com/...7#153463017475357837  ).  I saw a number of great bands there as well, including the Ramones, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, etc.

Hey, @Bill Swatos , if you click on the above link, you'll see an actual CBGB's poster for the Talking Heads in the lower right hand corner of the building (it is being blocked by a figure in the photo you copied). Great band and great venue to see them up close and personal.

Indeed. First cut I ever heard was "Life During Wartime." First rock concert I ever attended was their Chicago stop on the "Fear of Music" tour in the Aragon "Brawlroom" in 1979. Still have the "Ticketmaster" stub. And, as the link in my previous post shows, those posters are worth a fortune.