Switcher Saturday 7-10-21

Modified  switchers makes these two  Lionel 41 switchers  a real work horse.

SWSAT is upon us, again!

Penn Central GP9 7180 (Atlas O) leads a short freight past idle RS-11 7608 (Lionel):

Tom

Happy SWSat!

Wasn't sure what to post this week. I'm slowly getting the layout back to running condition after the yard rebuild so I haven't had any different power on the layout for a while. Tom's RS-11 inspired me.

Probably one of their best models.

Now I need to find a PC model.

Bob

Hi JhZ,

I would love to have one of those little Union Pacific switchers.  But can it get across a standard Lionel 022 switch without stalling out?   (Looks like that if it has two rollers underneath, they may only be an inch or so apart. ) Thanks for any info!

Mannyrock

Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal was a waterfront railroad that handled freight cars floated on barges across New York harbor from New Jersey to Brooklyn and back. The railroad had 11 miles of track at its peak and used steam locomotives until 1963. It operated until 1983, when it was acquired by the New York Cross Harbor Railroad. Among many commodities, BEDT transported hops, probably delivered to the nearby Schaefer Brewing Company.

Although neither of my model railroads looks like the Brooklyn waterfront, I do run Lionel’s recent LionChief LC+ 2.0 model of BEDT 0-6-0T switcher #15 with a Schaefer Beer refrigerator car. Lionel’s model has excellent whistle, bell and steam sounds that are loud and clear. I thought that SWSAT switcher enthusiasts might be interested in hearing them.

MELGAR

@Mannyrock posted:

Hi JhZ,

I would love to have one of those little Union Pacific switchers.  But can it get across a standard Lionel 022 switch without stalling out?   (Looks like that if it has two rollers underneath, they may only be an inch or so apart. ) Thanks for any info!

Mannyrock

Manny- I have a bunch of those K-line Plymouth's. They are great little engines. I have not had stalling issues on my 5122's. They are great smokers too.

TALES OF THE DOCKSIDER

Good morning SwSat fans!  This Saturday we find shop switcher X-8688 on her favorite assignment, switching the weekly beer train.  X-8688 will be delivering the valuable cargo to the B&M for delivery to thirsty rail fans in NH.

The James Hanley Co reefer has special significance to your Yardmaster; James Hanley is the name of his father in law and brother in law ( no relation to the brewery owner).  The Yardmaster’s wife thinks he spends too much on trains, but she had no objection to the purchase of this car!

John

Some nice small switchers this week.  The smallest I have are:

Steam: A5

Diesel: 44 Tonner

My modified Lionel B6 sitting on a siding. I purchased an extra PRSL 4-4-2 tender shell and swapped it with the shell that came on Lionels latest release of the B6. Might not be entirely prototypical but PRSL had a few B6 and used these tenders on their 2-8-0s and 4-4-2s….so possibly prototypical.

Good morning switcher fans!!  JHZ563 great looking array of switchers you have waiting for assignment   Thanks for aligning the switch to accommodate the wonderful flow of switcher traffic this morning .... full of fantastic videos, pics, and info from everyone!  Tom and Bob - I've always loved the ALCO Rs11 and yours look terrific!  Dan - you have a great looking train room!  Sorry if I missed anyone, if so it was because I was preparing this post and didn't see your post in time.  

Today on the Free State Junction Railway it's  mostly all about the Western Maryland Railway, however, on the WM center cab ( number 75 ) loco's way from the roundhouse to the service track, this view was spotted by the hostler, Freddy Grin,  who readily snapped these photos with his Kodak Instamatic ( anyone remember those? ).

Freddy couldn't resist taking these two photos of a Kennecott Copper switcher pushing a Kennecott Copper Corp. gondola loaded with copper wire.  Freddy knows that seeing the KCC switcher is a rare sighting!  ....  Almost like an Elvis sighting today .. LOL!

Brakeman Lloyd Tillet stands on the back deck of the Kennecott Switcher catching some fresh air mixed with diesel fumes.  

Once the center cab has made its' way to the service track, the service crew pamper her like a baby.  Thats J.R. Hagerty on the ground standing in the sand, Bix Beasley on the front deck, and foreman Clint McKinney on the side walkway next to the cab.   Having just taken on plenty of fuel and sand number 75 is almost ready for the day's switching assignments.   All that really needs to be completed is Clint's signature on the 'release form.'  Once he signs off on the form stating  that number 75 has been fully inspected, and fully serviced, Freddy will move the locomotive to the ready track.  That's where  today's crew will take over and carryout the switching assignments of this day.

Number 75's first assignment is a move to the coach yard and pull a string of WM coaches to the commuter station.  On Saturdays and Sundays the WM offers excursion trains to its' beautiful PENN MAR Resort located on the the Maryland/Pennsylvania border.   Once those coaches are in place, the second switch assignment is to move to the mail/express track, move a WM RPO/baggage car to head up the string of coaches now at the commuter station.

Shown here number 75 has completed it's first move.

After 75 has moved the RPO/baggage to the head of the train, WM BL2 number 81 ( having been fully restored after that fire a few weeks ago ) has coupled onto the train and is ready to pull it to today's destination .... the WM beautiful resort at Penn Mar on the Pennsylvania/ Maryland border.   Oh yes ... why the RPO on an excursion run .... Although the RPO apartment will not be working/ occupied, the WM will utilize the baggage section for passenger's golf clubs, bicycles, and whatever misc. baggage.  

Two short blasts of the horn with bell clanging the BL2 eases the train out of the station.  Although EMD offered the BL2 with the steam generator option for passenger trains, the WM did not purchase that option.   Since it's summertime steam heat is not required and number 81 with its' 1500 horses  is perfect for the job!  

As the BL2 eases the train out of the station,  passengers had this view through the coach window .... a Patapsco and Back Rivers ( P&BR ) Baldwin VO 1000 pulling a string of P&BR gondolas.  Only the passengers that are rail fans take notice though.  

Around 7:30p.m. after the train has made its' round trip to Penn Mar and back,  center can switcher number 75 backs to the coaches to take them back to the coach yard for interior cleaning.  Tomorrow the same train will require the same switch moves both in the morning and the evening.

WM BL2 and number 75 with 75 leading wait for their turn on the locomotive service track.  Those fellers standing on the side of number 75 are brakeman Bo Cephus and hostler Chubby Smuckers waiving his hat.  Tomorrow they get to do it all over again!  

MELGAR - wonderful sounds on that dockside!!  Thanks for all the B.E.D.T. info and video demos!   It's great to learn about the existence and history of small urban switching roads.  

RON - got to love the 44 tonner!  I have one just like yours.  The A5 and RS1 are also some of my favorites.  Love your shot of the 44 tonner with the combine at the passenger station!

STEAM CRAZY - nice to know the yard master's wife had no objection to the purchase of the reffer.  Perhaps you can find more rail items with the family name on it ... I'm sure she'll have no objection to those purchases .. LOL!  It's also satisfying to know that  your Docksider is doing the great work of getting thirts quenched!

PRR STEAM - Love that tender on your B6!  Looks great!!   Thanks for the back story/history as well.

Well hello switcher fans, I am somewhat later than usual today.  We got a surprise Saturday nice sunny day (it was supposed to rain all day) and I took the family to the beach .... we just got everyone home, showered, and supplied with food and drink, so I am posting my SwSat input.

I love these little Williams GE 44 ton switchers.  They have neat sounds, work great, pull a lot, and go around my tight radius curves easily without stalling.  Here is the Southern version standing on the ready track waiting for its next assignment.

And here she is, moving through Small Town on the L&S and most appropriately for a hot summer day pulling a refer full of Blue Bell Ice Cream!!

Best wishes to everyone for a great weekend.

Don

Late as well to the party, checking off that ever growing honey-do list this morning.  But better late than never. Did someone say K-line Plymouth switcher?  Probably one of the best values in OGauge. I picked up my little guy at a local train show for  around $40. She was quickly touched up and re-decaled for NY subway service.  She runs like a champ and smokes like a chimney.  Here she is pulling those excellent value cars from RMT and helping to clean the tracks.

Wow Strap,

Thanks so much for posting those excellent videos.

Just so I'm clear, do these have can motors?  Or are they something else?

Thx,

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

Wow Strap,

Thanks so much for posting those excellent videos.

Just so I'm clear, do these have can motors?  Or are they something else?

Thx,

Mannyrock

Anytime Manny. I never opened my Plymouth up, so I can’t say for sure, but I would think it has a can motor.  It’s too small for anything else.  It’s a really fun train no matter, and pulls and smokes great. Down here, they usually have them for sale at train shows at great prices.  Don’t hesitate to pick one up.

@Mannyrock posted:

Wow Strap,

Thanks so much for posting those excellent videos.

Just so I'm clear, do these have can motors?  Or are they something else?

Thx,

Mannyrock

They do have small can motors. I've opened one up, lot's of stuff packed inside.

Patrick,

Freddy Grin, Lloyd Tillett, J.R. Hagerty, Bix Beasley, Clint McKinney, Bo Cephus, Chubby Smuckers - The excursion runs on the Free State Junction Railway must be carrying plenty of passengers to support such a large payroll. Unless these guys work for nothing… I suppose that a train ride is a good way to get over pandemic fatigue.

MELGAR

Well fellows, are any of the Plymouth switchers equipped with TMCC? They are certainly uniquely styled and fun to watch in operation. Also, are there any 44 toners equipped with TMCC/Legacy? I know MTH made them with DCS. Don McErlean, nice 44 toner, neat layout, and glad you enjoyed fun at the beach. Great pictures and videos everyone. This is a really fun to review thread, lots of wonderful videos and pictures, and a bit of history… Happy Railroading Everyone

Looking great everybody.

@Mannyrock Looks like you already got some good info on the K-line plymouth.  The are great little runners and strong as an ox for their size.  I don't have any o-22 switches so I can't help you their.  The do have two roller pickups, and switches to lock the direction as well as smoke on/off.  The couplers do not open but are die cast.  The only issue I have ever had with mine is that the one handrail tends to slide forward.  (I just slide it back.) 

Thanks for that info JHZ.  I've been looking at them online today, which have boxes, and the boxes I've seen don't mention a lock-out switch.  Glad to hear that at least some of them have them.

I really hate having a train "stall and buzz" and then go into reverse after every time I bring it to a halt.  :-O

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

Thanks for that info JHZ.  I've been looking at them online today, which have boxes, and the boxes I've seen don't mention a lock-out switch.  Glad to hear that at least some of them have them.

I really hate having a train "stall and buzz" and then go into reverse after every time I bring it to a halt.  :-O

Mannyrock

Manny, you can see the switches in the last photo.

If one does not have an abundance of space for a layout, like me, a switching style layout can hold one's interest long term.

Switching maneuvers are great li y enhanced if one has a few witchers with very good electrocouplers. I am very fortunate in that respect.

All of my MTH Proto 2 and 3 switchers that run on SCS are outstanding. For me, it was a game changer to run them on DCS because all I have to do is press 1 button on the DCS remote unit to open the electrocoupler.

I particularly like switchers that have front and rear electrocouplers.

I don't have Legacy or TMCC, but do have a couple of LC+ switchers and I Legacy engine that I run using the LionChief Universal Remote. The electrocouplers on these modern Lionel switchers are also outstanding, and also operate by pressing one button on the LionChief remote unit.

This MTH Premier PS3 NY Ontario & Western 44 Ton Center Cab diesel running on DCS operates flawlessly as do the front and back electrocouplers:

@Mannyrock posted:

Thanks for that info JHZ.  I've been looking at them online today, which have boxes, and the boxes I've seen don't mention a lock-out switch.  Glad to hear that at least some of them have them.

I really hate having a train "stall and buzz" and then go into reverse after every time I bring it to a halt.  :-O

Mannyrock

K-line made a set of operable couplers that they included with the Plymouth. They are cast thumb-tack style. They are longer than the dummies.

If you don't see them listed in the sellers post- ask if they have them.

I should look in the box!

@jhz563 posted:

I should look in the box!

Yes- the first one I bought (the PRR) didn't have them but the rest have.

Good morning SWSat fans!  Here's a picture of a heavily weathered CNW 1017 hauling a cut of hand made 4 wheel ingot buggies back from the rolling mills to the open hearth furnace.  She earns her keep every day at the Overbeider Iron and Steel Company. Couldn't post yesterday, got tied up with family obligations.

I love the look of this MTH Proto 2 Pennsy Tuscan red VO1000 diesel switcher, especially as it hauls coal.

Does anyone know if this model is realistic?

@RSJB18 posted:

Yes- the first one I bought (the PRR) didn't have them but the rest have.

I put the non operable  shorter coupler on the front and the longer, operable one on the back.   Looks good and allows for some decoupling track, switch action when needed.  

Steel mill GE 44 tonner switcher, now retired.  Last served in Seattle, then possibly donated to a museum in WA. 

Replaced with a boxy style center cab unit, not a sexy as the old style bodies.

I caught this big boy rounding the bend near the Toad Hollow tunnel. My small 0-4-0 from MTH is a favorite. This is an older photo--but, it seems to capture my layout which is rural and not too grubby.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I love the look of this MTH Proto 2 Pennsy Tuscan red VO1000 diesel switcher, especially as it hauls coal.

Does anyone know if this model is realistic?

Yes 5916 was a unique one of a kind at Sunnyside yard.  The speculation is that the crew there painted it Tuscan to match the passenger cars they sifted around.  I bought both the standard engine color and this one after see pictures of it.

Ron

    I guess I'll get kicked out of the Switcher Club, . . but I buy the small switchers to run as Road Engines on my layout, because the larger switchers look out of place on my 5' x 10' design.   

   I also remove the front couplers on the small switchers, since it makes them look even shorter, and I don't do any switching.

     And finally, those small switchers look pretty cool hauling a string of colorful tinplate cars, as well as regular cars.   :-)

Mannyrock

Mannyrock, there's nothing wrong with small switchers; some of them are among my favorites.

I agree that for small, and even medium-sized layouts, small switchers can look better than big ones.

Speaking of small switchers, here is an MTH Proto 3 B6 steamer running slow and smooth on DCS hauling a heavy load of coal dump cars, gondolas and a caboose:

IMO, this switcher has it all: great sounds, great smoke, great electrocouplers, great pulling power for its size and great looks.