Switcher Saturday 9-10-22

jhz563,

Good morning and thanks for starting today's SWSAT. That is a nice RS-3. Here is another one.

My model of New Haven Railroad ALCo RS-3 #531 was offered by Atlas O Trainman in September 2012 at MSRP $399.95 with TMCC. It is scale length and runs on O-31 curved track.

The photos and video show it on the O-36 inner loop of my 12’-by-8’ model railroad. This loop was added when I decided to fill in the center section of the layout to improve the scenery. I don’t often run trains on this loop because it’s a long reach from the layout edges and difficult to clean the track, which was necessary before running #531 for this video. There is a center access panel that can be removed for cleaning the inner loop track but it is more convenient to do it by standing on a stool at the edges of the layout.

The RS-3 is the third diesel-electric locomotive in ALCo’s line of road switchers. It was preceded by the RS-1 in 1941 (1,000 horsepower, 40,525 pounds tractive effort) and RS-2 in 1946 (1,500 horsepower, 62,500 pounds tractive effort, maximum speed 65 miles-per-hour). The RS-3, built between 1950 and 1956, had 1,600 horsepower, 61,775 pounds tractive effort, and maximum speed between 65 and 85 miles-per-hour depending on gearing. The New Haven Railroad’s first RS-3s were delivered in 1950 with an orange hood/green cab livery. The orange hood/black cab McGinnis livery was first applied to New Haven’s RS-3s in 1956.

The model of caboose C-665 was made by Weaver and is a Northeastern Caboose with four windows on each side – a type that was never owned by the New Haven Railroad. The real caboose C-665 was in New Haven Class NE-6 and was built by International Car Company with two windows on each side. So, although the model is quite nice, it isn’t prototypical...

MELGAR

Happy SWSat!

Let's keep the RS-3 theme going. The ALCO RS-3 is one of my favorite engines from the early diesel era.

ATSF 2099 is a Lionel conventional engine with plastic handrails. This loco was from a starter set and only had one motor and was a poor puller. I added a second powered truck and it can pull with the best of them now.

D&H 8814 is a Williams conventional

Western Maryland 196 is from MTH w/Loco-sound

LIRR 1553 from MTH w/PS-2

Boston and Maine 1509 from MTH w/PS-2

Have a great weekend.

Bob

Happy Switcher Sat, everyone!  I’m going in the other direction with my favorite little old school switcher -

Greetings, SwSat gang!  Today your Yardmaster decided to feature the newest switcher in his collection, a Williams GE 70 tonner, Rutland no. 500.  She is seen pulling a train of military hardware north out of Bellows Falls, VT to an unknown destination.  It’s rumored the train is heading to the Canadian border, where the US and Canada will hold joint military exercises.

A public service announcement: are you addicted to SwSat?  Here are the symptoms: 1) viewing your layout and switchers during the week, trying to dream up something new for next Saturday, 2) getting up early on Saturday to see JHZ’s kick off post, 3) wondering how many times you have already featured a particular switcher in a post and 4) a desire to buy a new switcher to show off next Saturday. Warning: there is no cure for this addiction!

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

A public service announcement: are you addicted to SwSat?  Here are the symptoms: 1) viewing your layout and switchers during the week, trying to dream up something new for next Saturday, 2) getting up early on Saturday to see JHZ’s kick off post, 3) wondering how many times you have already featured a particular switcher in a post and 4) a desire to buy a new switcher to show off next Saturday. Warning: there is no cure for this addiction!

John

John,

Your public service announcement has identified precisely the four symptoms of SWSAT dependence. Each one applies to me. But, don't worry about it. It's harmless and only hurts in the wallet!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go downstairs and set up the trains for next week's SWSAT video...

MELGAR

@Steam Crazy posted:

A public service announcement: are you addicted to SwSat?  Here are the symptoms: 1) viewing your layout and switchers during the week, trying to dream up something new for next Saturday, 2) getting up early on Saturday to see JHZ’s kick off post, 3) wondering how many times you have already featured a particular switcher in a post and 4) a desire to buy a new switcher to show off next Saturday. Warning: there is no cure for this addiction!

John

@MELGAR posted:

John,

Your public service announcement has identified precisely the four symptoms of SWSAT dependence. Each one applies to me. But, don't worry about it. It's harmless and only hurts in the wallet!

MELGAR

Yep- I got all 4 too....... The wallet pain is self inflicted so I don't consider that a symptom.

I guess it helps that my 027 curves are best suited for switchers too!

Bob

I took a walk down to the local switch yard yesterday. To my surprise they were double heading 2 units. In the 3rd picture it's hard to see but the concrete company's track mobile is moving two hoppers. The last 2 pictures show the one cement hopper dwarfs the 2 units.

Happy Switcher Saturday.

When we visited the Easrern Maine Model Railroad Club, I got the idea to turn the former Rock Island ALCO RS3 into the Katahdin Valley #169. Club member Joey Kelley has come up with an imaginary railroad company, Katahdin Valley, as I once did the Shark Bay Railroad. Joey wanted to borrow a Baldwin shark tooth for my idea and implemented it in H0 scale and one of the locomotives was then numbered according to my birthaday. For my part, I fell in love with the Katahdin Valley idea and with Joey`s consent, I realized MTH R.I. ALCO RS3 in O scale of the first Katahdin Valley locomotive.

Yay! SWSat is on track!

Great posts so far. I do love a good RS3.

In the last five years or so I have gotten very interested in 19th cent early 20th British Railroads. Also I am transitioning from 3 rail to 2 rail O scale.

This week I am posting a new to me BR G6 0-6-0T. It just arrived on my doorstep yesterday from the UK and I have yet to really clean it or test it out. The G6 built by the London South West Railway with an Adams design between 1896 and 1900 there were 36 in the class. They made it into British Railways era with the last withdrawn in 1962.

This engine is painted in the “Lion balancing on a unicycle” British Railways paint scheme.

This model is built up from a brass Connoisseur kit. I think I will backdate it to a Holly Green LSWR freight paint scheme. The BR black paint is really coming off more than I’d like (plus I like the pre-grouping color variety). I have an LSWR O2 0-4-4T kit yet to be built on my pile of shame to run with it so that is some further incentive. When they are done I’ll have enough engine representation to run my little switching layout as LBSCR, LMS/SDJR, GWR or LSWR.

In the pictures I have posed it as if it is pulling some 16ton BR Mineral Wagons which I am in the midst of repainting from Lima plastic cars made in the 70’s in amazingly gaudy and inappropriate paint schemes. As of now I am up to about 22 of them and they should make a nice train on the club layout. The cars have yet to get new couplings. These seem to be the easiest UK cars to find in the US to avoid wildly high shipping costs.

So that’s what is new with me. I can’t wait to see what switcher related things you post.

Have a great SWSAT…oh…and “Go Blue”!!! 🚂😉😺

For those of you in a New England state of mind, here is an MTH Premier PS3 Boston & Maine Alco S-2 switcher hauling various box cars with New England fallen flag road names:

Arnold

@Steam Crazy posted:

A public service announcement: are you addicted to SwSat?  Here are the symptoms: 1) viewing your layout and switchers during the week, trying to dream up something new for next Saturday, 2) getting up early on Saturday to see JHZ’s kick off post, 3) wondering how many times you have already featured a particular switcher in a post and 4) a desire to buy a new switcher to show off next Saturday. Warning: there is no cure for this addiction!

John

I'm screwed

Tom

I don't have an RS-3, but I do have an RS-11.  Here is Penn Central 7608 leading a transfer run across Kill Bridge:

Have a great weekend!

Tom

@Steam Crazy posted:

A public service announcement: are you addicted to SwSat?  Here are the symptoms: 1) viewing your layout and switchers during the week, trying to dream up something new for next Saturday, 2) getting up early on Saturday to see JHZ’s kick off post, 3) wondering how many times you have already featured a particular switcher in a post and 4) a desire to buy a new switcher to show off next Saturday. Warning: there is no cure for this addiction!

John

Laughing like crazy 🤪 🤣🤣🤣.

Even Mrs. Z got good kick outta this one!  So, I am feeling both loved and very singled out here, all at the same time!  And yes, starting this thread most weekends has definitely changed parts of my railroading focus.   I love this hobby and the friends I make along the way!

Tom D:  Is that a GTO I see waiting near the bridge?  Bert

@jhz563 posted:

Laughing like crazy 🤪 🤣🤣🤣.

Even Mrs. Z got good kick outta this one!  So, I am feeling both loved and very singled out here, all at the same time!  And yes, starting this thread most weekends has definitely changed parts of my railroading focus.   I love this hobby and the friends I make along the way!

jhz563,

Please don't feel singled-out. Your contribution is very much appreciated. SWSAT is my favorite thread on the Forum and I look forward to it all week. Yes, I do go downstairs at the beginning of the week, decide on what trains and which layout to run, take pictures and videos, and write up in advance whatever I'm going to post. This keeps me busy with my trains during the week. I've also bought a couple switchers knowing that I could post them on SWSAT. With all the time and effort I've put into the trains and layouts over the years, it's important to me to have SWSAT for people to see what I've done. And, like you, I'm satisfied just to have and run switchers these days.

MELGAR

Another great SWSAT.  Thank you all for your contributions.  This really is the place to be on Saturdays.  We're heavy on the ALCOs this week but that's fine with me.  I love the distinctive ALCO engine sounds MTH captured so well clearly heard on Arnold and Tom's posts.

Johan nice job on the Katahdin Valley RS3.  I need to pay closer attention to the video you sent me the other day.  I didn't realize Joey's layout was HO.  It was nice of him to honor you by using your birthday as the road number on his Shark.

Dave the Burlington Junction livery is simple but the red and black really standout.

Andy I don't really see too much paint flaking in your photos, must be on the other side.  Living in an apartment as you do where do you do your painting?

Keep the switchers coming, all scales and regardless of the number of rails required.

Tom D, it’s time to start shopping for an RS3.  You need one!

John

Here’s 2 rear cab switchers:

CNW H10-44

Western Maryland V1000

Both MTH Railking 3v PS2. The CNW H10-44, and it’s companion dummy survived Sandy, sealed in their shipper. Amazingly having never been opened, and after approx. 18 years in storage, this engine ran immediately upon adding track power!

I later found a UP RS3 P&D pair, same story

@coach joe posted:

Another great SWSAT.  Thank you all for your contributions.  This really is the place to be on Saturdays.  We're heavy on the ALCOs this week but that's fine with me.  I love the distinctive ALCO engine sounds MTH captured so well clearly heard on Arnold and Tom's posts.

Johan nice job on the Katahdin Valley RS3.  I need to pay closer attention to the video you sent me the other day.  I didn't realize Joey's layout was HO.  It was nice of him to honor you by using your birthday as the road number on his Shark.

Dave the Burlington Junction livery is simple but the red and black really standout.

Andy I don't really see too much paint flaking in your photos, must be on the other side.  Living in an apartment as you do where do you do your painting?

Keep the switchers coming, all scales and regardless of the number of rails required.

Joe,

Thank you. Maine´s trip was really amazing. Here`s a link to Joey Kelley`s video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO3qrGxvzGQ

Johan

Don’t have a lot of switchers, but I recently added this SW1200 to my roster.

@Apples55 posted:

Don’t have a lot of switchers, but I recently added this SW1200 to my roster.

Spiffy!  I have a Lionel Rio Grande SW1200 incoming. Looking forward to it.

A SW12 for EJ&E is shuttling a few tank cars for customers. 

Have a great Switcher Saturday N gauge switcher lending a hand

Holy diesel / steam smoke!
jhz563! Thx for kicking it into fwd.

Melgar, I can always get excited by your thorough reporting, photos, videos, particularly of the NH kind!

Bob, I too have been guilty of RS 3 ( and RS 1) obsession many decades over! That LIRR for some reason just does it!

Strap hanger! I always miss my Urban roots when you post. That LIRR smoker is a prime polluter! Lol.

Steam Crazy, that Rutland 70 T has a serious business load!

Dave Ripp, what luck to see and share two reds and cement haul! Nice photos, thx.

Johan! Always a pleasure to see any shark bay equipment! Man, I am still so sorry I couldn’t get out of work commitment the days you were here. Someday…

Arnold, I too am in a New England State of mind (until Monday night!) love that S-2 and fallen flags haul. Especially the purplish B&M 6464!

Andy Silverlake! That British loco just kicks a**. What a brute! Love lion balancing on a unicycle! Thx.

Tom Densel, just a mesmerizing PC roll by, always hip, never get tired of it! Thx.

Coach Joe! Yep another great SWSAT.

so, we are leaving for France Monday night. My wife asked me why I would be hauling my I-pad…answer SWSAT rules.
I think she gets that!

all my best to all here.

@wb47 posted:

Tom D:  Is that a GTO I see waiting near the bridge?  Bert

Yep!  Its an Ertl 1/43 model  I put Arttista figures in it.  A couple and their dog out for a leisurely drive. (and some train watching)

Tom

@Leroof posted:

Holy diesel / steam smoke!
jhz563! Thx for kicking it into fwd.

Melgar, I can always get excited by your thorough reporting, photos, videos, particularly of the NH kind!

Bob, I too have been guilty of RS 3 ( and RS 1) obsession many decades over! That LIRR for some reason just does it!

Strap hanger! I always miss my Urban roots when you post. That LIRR smoker is a prime polluter! Lol.

Steam Crazy, that Rutland 70 T has a serious business load!

Dave Ripp, what luck to see and share two reds and cement haul! Nice photos, thx.

Johan! Always a pleasure to see any shark bay equipment! Man, I am still so sorry I couldn’t get out of work commitment the days you were here. Someday…

Arnold, I too am in a New England State of mind (until Monday night!) love that S-2 and fallen flags haul. Especially the purplish B&M 6464!

Andy Silverlake! That British loco just kicks a**. What a brute! Love lion balancing on a unicycle! Thx.

Tom Densel, just a mesmerizing PC roll by, always hip, never get tired of it! Thx.

Coach Joe! Yep another great SWSAT.

so, we are leaving for France Monday night. My wife asked me why I would be hauling my I-pad…answer SWSAT rules.
I think she gets that!

all my best to all here.

Leroof.

Thank you very much. Nice to hear that Shark Bay Railroad is also still of interest. I believe that the trip to Maine was not the last for me and there will be a new opportunity to meet someday, Welcome to Finland too. I wish you a good trip to France.

Johan

Good evening fellow switcher fans!  Wonderful photos, pics, and info everyone!!  Thanks JHZ563 for getting us started today   I stopped by the B & O Museum in Baltimore this morning and took these photos of switchers.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  

SW900

Western Maryland RS3.

B&O GP 40

Fairbanks Morse H 12 44  

Patapsco and Back Rivers Baldwin VO 1000.

Wow, @Trumptrain, your pictures of the real diesels is fantastic, thank you for posting the many different style diesels, @Dave Ripp, those are beautiful red Burlington Junction diesels at work, awesome, @Sitka, Wow, I didn’t realize the O compared to N gauge was so different, great pictures, a huge difference, @t8afao, wow that’s a beautiful green switcher and your layout is awesome, @Apples55, Lionel hit a home run in that Sante Fe switcher, and the strobe lights a great feature, it’s really a colorful diesel, @Steam Crazy, your military train video is fantastic, nicely made and the switcher is pulling the train with ease, wow., @Bar GP7 #63, Johan, your repainting the RS3 diesel is beautiful, as is your well scenicked layout, it’s so realistic, amazing. @jhz563, I like many others are so very happy that you are leading the way with Switcher Saturday, this is a super fun thread to read, Your the man, @RSJB18 Bob, wow, you certainly have a fantastic lineup of diesel power, beautiful diesels ready for service, awaiting Beep people…. Wow.. Where are you @Don McErlean, I know your reviewing this great thread today, Happy Railroading Everyone

@Steam Crazy posted:

Greetings, SwSat gang!  Today your Yardmaster decided to feature the newest switcher in his collection, a Williams GE 70 tonner, Rutland no. 500.  She is seen pulling a train of military hardware north out of Bellows Falls, VT to an unknown destination.  It’s rumored the train is heading to the Canadian border, where the US and Canada will hold joint military exercises.

A public service announcement: are you addicted to SwSat?  Here are the symptoms: 1) viewing your layout and switchers during the week, trying to dream up something new for next Saturday, 2) getting up early on Saturday to see JHZ’s kick off post, 3) wondering how many times you have already featured a particular switcher in a post and 4) a desire to buy a new switcher to show off next Saturday. Warning: there is no cure for this addiction!

John

Steam Crazy - It's true!  There is no cure!!  I've been in SA ( Switchers Anonymous ) rehab several times!  I keeps strongly identifying  with all 4 of the categories you listed ... lol!!

Trump train! Very Cool photos! Thx.

And Johan, thx.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

For those of you in a New England state of mind, here is an MTH Premier PS3 Boston & Maine Alco S-2 switcher hauling various box cars with New England fallen flag road names:

Arnold

Really love the colorful New England consist, Arnold.

@Sitka posted:

Have a great Switcher Saturday N gauge switcher lending a hand

Mark, I've got the same NYC 0-6-0 saddle tank! Had some contact trouble when I put a drop of light oil on the collector rollers, but after I cleaned the collectors in OMS, the problem was solved. Now, I don't oil collector rollers even though some manufacturers' instructions (Williams, for one) specify doing so. I also did a little jewelry file work on the piston guides and put some stiffer springs over the center driver bearings, so she'd run smoothly at lowest speed. Now, she runs great and pulls as well as my Turbines, believe it or not.

Gotta love that O-N switcher lashup, BTW!

Thanks, everybody, that liked my post.  It feels good to be part of the great SwSat community!

John

I think I'm coming down with the above-mentioned Bug.  I just ran downstairs and snapped these pictures.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Mark, I've got the same NYC 0-6-0 saddle tank! Had some contact trouble when I put a drop of light oil on the collector rollers, but after I cleaned the collectors in OMS, the problem was solved. Now, I don't oil collector rollers even though some manufacturers' instructions (Williams, for one) specify doing so. I also did a little jewelry file work on the piston guides and put some stiffer springs over the center driver bearings, so she'd run smoothly at lowest speed. Now, she runs great and pulls as well as my Turbines, believe it or not.

Gotta love that O-N switcher lashup, BTW!

How goes Bill what is OMS, and what springs did you buy to replace the old with, can you get a good picture of the piston work? I have two, one is my daughters had a spring pop out and cannot find it LOL, either repost or send it to my email,  How's that turbine coming? post that on the PRR thread when done like to see it. Mark

A little late, was playing around on the layout last evening and didn’t get a chance to upload the video until today. Had a bit of fun with these two.

Paul, "Don’t have a lot of switchers", I believe a trip to Grzyboski's is in order.

Pierre, I can't believe the hospital is letting you out.  Have a safe and wonderful trip.  Don't forget to return to us.

@Dennis S posted:

A little late, was playing around on the layout last evening and didn’t get a chance to upload the video until today. Had a bit of fun with these two.

Hi Dennis- looks like things are going well in SC!