Switcher Saturday 4-8-23 🐇

New Haven Railroad Alco S-2s diesel switchers #0617 and #0615 are MTH Premier models (20-20588-1 and 20-20587-1, MSRP $449.95) released in 2016 with PS3. Photos and videos show them running as a push-pull consist under conventional control on the O-54 loop of my 12’-by-8’ model railroad.

Twenty-two Alco S-2s were built for the New Haven Railroad (Class DEY-5) during 1943 and 1944. They had a 1,000 horsepower, turbocharged 6-cylinder 539T engine and a tractive effort of 57,500 pounds. On the New Haven, S-2s were used for heavy switching and to replace 2-6-0, 2-8-0 and 2-8-2 steam locomotives on local freights. Many New Haven S-2s were still running when Penn Central took over in 1969 and three made it into the 1976 formation of Conrail.

MELGAR

Happy Easter Switcher Saturday!  On my pike, a DMIR GP38-2 has been relegated to switching duties and is transporting newly repainted redbird work cars to the Sunnyside yards.  This premier MTH GP38 is over 20 years old and despite being a dreaded ps2 5 volt model, runs and smokes like a charm. She has over 600 hours, 10000 scale miles, and has had major shell damage and abuse from when my kids were young, but she still keeps on trucking. How did a DMIR engine get to Queens NY for switching duty? Beats me but were darn glad to have her.

A New England state of mind:

Various New England boxcars with an MTH Proto 3 Boston & Maine diesel switcher on the point. Arnold

Here's an MTH Proto 2 Philadelphia Bethlehem and New England diesel switcher hauling Lionel Postwar operating cars through a passing siding:

Arnold

Happy SWSat!

This week is more about the switcher's partner, the caboose. Last year, Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers (NLOE) released their annual club car for 2022, a LIRR Bobber Caboose,  and I received mine this week. Lionel built the cars and they did a great job. The car is well detailed, with a full interior, and the conductor sitting up in the cupola. As usual, new rolling stock goes right to work on the RSJ&B.

These caboose's were known as "Bobber Hacks" and were in service from the late 1800's through the 1920's.
Here's more info

LIRR 465, RS-1 (MTH PS3) is on the lead moving another custom car with a Long Island theme.

And being as tomorrow is Easter, a certain bunny has trashed the team tracks once again....

Have a Happy Easter, and Passover.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Happy SWSat!

This week is more about the switcher's partner, the caboose. Last year, Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers (NLOE) released their annual club car for 2022, a LIRR Bobber Caboose,  and I received mine this week. Lionel built the cars and they did a great job. The car is well detailed, with a full interior, and the conductor sitting up in the cupola. As usual, new rolling stock goes right to work on the RSJ&B.

These caboose's were known as "Bobber Hacks" and were in service from the late 1800's through the 1920's.
Here's more info

LIRR 465, RS-1 (MTH PS3) is on the lead moving another custom car with a Long Island theme.

And being as tomorrow is Easter, a certain bunny has trashed the team tracks once again....

Have a Happy Easter, and Passover.

Bob

I think that Bunny’s name was Bob.

Happy SWSAT Easter everyone. This was from last year

The new Mth H10-44 doing some switching.

A pair of CN Alco S-2’s moving grain this Switcher Saturday morning.  
Happy Easter!

Hello, SwSat fans!  The post your Yardmaster planned for isn’t available due to being stuck in the cloud, so it’s back to the archives today.  This post was inspired by MELGAR’s (again!) recent post of a MTH Railking 0-8-0.

My Railking 0-8-0 is B&M no. 613.  I have detailed this model as follows: paint driver tires and handrails black, install crew, install a coupler cut lever on the pilot (a Lionel Mogul part!), and add “real” coal (chicken grit, sifted and painted black by a friend.  Held on by white glue that dries clear).  I think these details really enhance the realism of this engine.

John

A recent acquisition from a forum sponsor:

Keeping the Frisco theme going a pair of Lionel GP7s from Fallen Flags # 5.  One came with the whole set, the other was a train show pick up along with a second extended vision caboose.

Yay SWSat is on!

great posts so far this week. I like all the Easter trains. I’ll post mine too. I made this one ten years ago with my son who is now 18 and not interested in model trains but does enjoy train rides  

Making another return is the Egg Island   Black  Jellybean Mining Company. Egg Island is in the Easter Island Archipelago and has the only naturally occurring vein of Black Jellybeans in the world.

My kids are off school so we went on a trip to the UK so my timing is way off. We took the kids to Bath and had a long hike. We found ruins of a 1720’s Tram road. Like a railroad pre steam engines. Some sleepers are still there and you can see how the rail attached.

In this case the switchers and only motive power would have been horses. A neat thing to find and by far the oldest railroad thing I have ever seen.

Have a great weekend I can’t wait to see what you guys post.

Good morning fellow switcher fans!!  WOW! .. great pics, videos, and information you all have posted!  Today on the Free State Junction Railway there are pics of first generation diesel switchers doing their thing.  Wishing everyone a happy Easter and a wonderful weekend!

Ma & Pa SW1 on the bridge.  Rookie brakeman Willy Scott keeps his eyes trained on the rails ahead.  

Switchers of all short line railroads of Maryland congregate at Todd's Junction. Company photographer I.C. Thrulenz shot this photo from the tower's deck.

I.C. had to climb on top of a boxcar to get this shot.  Brakeman Tucker Jolly is on the engine deck and conductor Fordy Princket rides the deck of the cabin car.

A Reading Train Master pulls a transfer freight from East Yard to West Yard.

After having dropped its' transfer freight in West Yard the Train Master runs lite back to East Yard ... a N&W

Y 6b mallet pulls a loooong west bound freight train.  The echo of the Y6's deep throated whistle echos throughout  Patsburg!  Engineer Floyd Hammock shouts to his fireman " Those diesels look pretty slick but they will never replace good old steam power!  Who they trying to kid?!"  Meanwhile in the cab of the Train Master engineer Keaster Bottoms thinks to himself " That huge old teapot's days are numbered."  We all now know the rest of the story ... lol!

A B&O SW9 works Todd's Junction as it's caboose has been set out on a siding.  Conductor D. W. Jennings observes switching operations from the rear deck of the switch job's caboose.  

Reading the forum, and having a little switching session as we speak. Some great pics of beautiful engines as always guys. Have a great weekend!

@trumpettrain I look forward to reading your imaginary, descriptive posts.

Gene

@Genemed posted:

@trumpettrain I look forward to reading your imaginary, descriptive posts.

Gene

I'm not so sure that @trumpettrain's posts are imaginary! I used to know a guy named Keaster Bottoms...

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

I'm not so sure that @trumpettrain's posts are imaginary! I used to know a guy named Keaster Bottoms...

MELGAR

Dag gone!  And I thought the only Keaster Bottoms in the world lived in Patsburg and worked for the Free State Junction Railroad.  Now there are two Keaster Bottoms in the world.  Thanks Melgar for getting to the "bottom" of this story ...   LOL!!

@Genemed posted:

@trumpettrain I look forward to reading your imaginary, descriptive posts.

Gene

Thanks so very much Gene!  

Happy Easter and Passover to all those who celebrate. Peace.

Right back at you Dave!

Well guys its SwSat and its Easter Saturday.  jhz thanks for getting us started today.  @@lee drennen -  I really liked the "bunny train" and @Silver Lake- the "egg" train and your description of its setting and the 1720 tram road was really neat and different.  Great photos and locos all around fellows, I enjoyed them all.  Well for my post today, I thought I might give you a little taste of what you might have enjoyed at Easter (actually more likely Christmas) a century ago.  Here are some Lionel's from1917-1919 and a caboose from 1926...all over or nearly over 100 years old.  OBTW the little Lionel #152 does still run, although I rarely run it for fear of burning out some irreplaceable part.

Here is front view of the Lionel #152 in dark green with strap headlight.  It was generally available from 1917 -1927 in various forms, however details on this engine date it to about 1919.  Yes I know it sure has some dings and missing paint, buy hey I hope I look this good and am still working at 104 years old!

Here she is with her little train.  The Lionel #901 "Lake Shore" gondola available 1917-1919 and the #801 Wabash caboose - a little later, available in 1926,

Here is a departing view of the little train as it starts to move out onto the main road of the Leonardtown and Savannah.  The picture does not easily show it but the number and RR name is written on the caboose in black.

Well I hope you all have a very happy Easter and enjoy the rest of the weekend

Best Wishes

Don

Well here it is SwSat fans, its Easter Saturday.  @lee drennen - liked the "bunny train" for sure @Silver Lake- the "egg" train and the 1720's tram road was really different, neat stuff.  Great pictures guys enjoyed them all.  Well today, I thought I would give you all a  glimpse of what you might have played with (more likely at Christmas than Easter) a century ago.  Here is the  Lionel # 152 available in various detail forms from 1917 - 1927 along with a little train of contemporary freight cars.  

Here is the little #152 in dark green with strap headlight and other details which date this particular locomotive to about 1919.  Yes she still runs, but I rarely run it for fear of burning up some irreplaceable part.  She certainly has her dings and missing paint spots (but no missing parts ) but hey I hope I look this good and am still working at 104 years old.

Here is a side view of her little train.  The #901 "Lake Shore" gondola available from 1917-1919.  This specific car has details that date it no earlier than 1918.  Making up the rear of the train is the #801 Wabash caboose which was available in 1926.  All with tab / slot couplers of course.

Here is a departing view of the train, to give you a better look at that Wabash caboose.  It is not easy to see in the pictures but it does have the RR name lettered on the side in black.

Well here's hoping that you all have a Happy Easter and enjoy the rest of the weekend

Best Wishes

Don

I don't know what happened above but my post somehow got in twice.  I can only blame operator failure!!

Don

Earlier this week, I took this picture for the “unique or rare” thread.

My 616 Santa Fe switcher with the Sears uncataloged set 9674 (between the subway sets) and you can also get a glimpse of my separate sale 617 Santa Fe switcher(to the left of the number 69 Track Maintenance car), that I received for Christmas in 1963.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Peter

Hello SwSers,

My 3rd Rail PRR H6sb has been at a repair shop for a while now and looking forward to getting it back (hopefully soon).  Since I did not have time this week to do new pics, here are some of the H6 from over the years.

The H6b was built around 1910 as Pennsy's primary freight engine but was soon delegated to short line work when the H8/9/10 arrived shortly after.  It did local and switcher duty until the early 50s.

Here's one of the last of the ALCo RS series, the RS-27. She's one of two delivered to the Soo, the other being #416 (Lionel modeled both):

She's got the highest hp prime mover ALCo used in the RS series, a Model 251B V12 at 2400 hp. She's also one of the last of the RS models ALCo built, the others being the RS-32 and RS-36. A distinctive feature is the one-piece windshield.

Ironically, only 27 RS-27's were built. Soo crew whimsically nicknamed their pair "The Dolly Sisters." Today, two remain in short line service (not these, unfortunately) on the Minnesota Commercial Railway.

Here she is moving her road's namesake boxcars:

Thanks to @Krieglok for the boxcars! Now, to find an extended vision caboose...

Legacy Susquehanna diesel switcher moving passengers and freight through farm country:

Arnold

Trumptrain: Company photographer I.C. Thrulenz

Too funny, Pat. How do you think of these names? 😜😜😜