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Yay! SWSat is on!

Rich Murnane is still in the throws of his big move so I am getting things rolling this week. SWSat is where a buch of us get around and discuss switching and switch engines in both prototype and model form. Consider joining us and contributing this week. 

This week I am going to start things off with some pictures of a new project I started that involves modeling a specialized switch engine that has not been offered in O scale before. The project is in very early stages but I am pretty happy with how things are starting off. The DES-3 was a special tripowered switch engine that was specially made for the New York Central to work in the city and confirm to the ban on use of steam engines within the city. These were used mostly on the West Side railroad line which ran along the west side of Manhattan Island running from the wye at Spyten Dyval in the Bronx, along the Hudson River,past the milk yard in Manhattanville,  ducking under Riverside Park, through the 60st yard and float operation, climbing the Highline and running that all the way to  St Johns Park in SoHo. The most interesting aspect of them was the ability to run on electricity from a third rail like a subway car, limited battery power or Deisel power. They were pretty homely looking Boxcabs with cabs on either end. They were short,  only 47 ft over coupler faces and had two four wheel trucks. I thought it would be perfect to make a model of. IMG_4688IMG_4689

Of course these two images are of the same side. The side without the center window and vent panels.

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I have not ever done this before. I have a vintage brass steam engine that I want to start building but I wanted a starter build to build some skills before I commited to the steam engine. I wanted to start this because I found a perfect doner engine. It was cheap had trucks I could use and was the right length. Right now the Williams by Bachmann Chuggington engines are on blowout sale at Trainworld. So this British blue look alike is the the starter for my DES-3 Tripowered engine. IMG_4680IMG_4681IMG_4682IMG_4684 

My one big compromise is the truck spacing they should be a bit further apart but I think it will work out ok. The dummy coupler was mounted to the truck. There is provision to mount another dummy on the front truck but I am going to do body mounted KDs.

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Like I say this is a first build for asthetics and I am not far along I am just testing if it can work at this stage. I found drawings on line and printed them out at O scale. The A side and B side of the engine are different but the drawing I used is the same. I will make the actual model differently. I mounted the drawings to Foamcore to check clearances. I may shorten the body very slightly so the porches don't stick out too far. The flywheels do stick out above the engine sides but are within the height of the roof when it is done. 

Thanks for looking have a great weekend. I can't wait to see what you guys post. 

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Last edited by Silver Lake
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Happy SWSat everyone.

Thanks for starting us off Andy. Nice project you are working on there.

I got to see the new West end platforms and concourse at Penn Station yesterday. Looks nice. Too bad I had to get to the 1 train which is at the other end of the world.

A few weeks back you posted a bunch of pix from Sunnyside and we were discussing weather Amtrak used switchers in the yard. Spotted one of these MP 14 B's as my train passed by yesterday.

 

Great posts so far everyone.

On the local front this week, the RSJ&B has just taken delivery of the latest addition to the fleet.

A K-line S-2 in AT&SF black/ silver. Picked it up for a song. It needs the rear coupler replaced but it took off right out of the box when I put power to it. Judging by the wheels and pick up  rollers I don't think this was run much at all.

This is my second S-2 to go with my Chessie.

2017-07-21 17.32.072017-07-21 17.32.142017-07-21 17.32.222017-07-21 17.33.002017-07-21 17.33.26

2017-07-21 17.34.36

 

 

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Last edited by RSJB18

Good morning SWSAT buds!!!  Silverlake - thanks for starting this thread today!  I love that NYC boxcab! Very cool info as well.  I like that it also had limited battery power in addition to third rail and diesel.  Very useful locomotive for sure!  It would be neat if a manufacturer did make this one complete with all the various sounds, diesel, electric, and battery and allowing for the modeler to switch sounds as the loco traverses the layout .... it would be BIG FUN!!  

Here are a bakers dozen of  photos from the Free State Junction Railway here in Patsburg, Md. where the temperature is hot hot hot!!  Have a great weekend everyone!!  Rich I hope your move is going smoothly too!   ( click on photos at bottom to view captions ) IMG_0362IMG_0378IMG_0379IMG_0380IMG_0381IMG_0440IMG_0409IMG_0841IMG_0837IMG_0889IMG_0890IMG_0969IMG_1095

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Images (13)
  • IMG_0362: SW 9 on service track
  • IMG_0378
  • IMG_0379: The sand man
  • IMG_0380: Mr. Bo looks over service operation
  • IMG_0381: SW9 = switching power
  • IMG_0440: BL2 - a WM workhorse
  • IMG_0409: C16 Dockside does duty in the mountains
  • IMG_0841: GP9 - on service track
  • IMG_0837: GP9 = Multipurpose power
  • IMG_0889: GP -9 gets ready for some passenger service
  • IMG_0890: She's ready to go
  • IMG_0969: At grade shot of Maryland  short line switchers
  • IMG_1095: GP -9 leads B&O passenger run while GG-1s stand by
sawdust43 posted:

switcher saturday!...one of the viewing highlights of the week on the forum!...here's my humble contribution...another unusual british "shunter" (switcher)...

howard...

image

That looks like it qualifies as a Morris Mini. I wonder if it was from the same company.  

Very cool posts so far this week. I like that little RPI engine and the scale car that JHZ563 posted. Also the Toaster pulled by the Strasburg SW7 to its retirement at the museum is wonderful (I hope they get the HHP-8 as well to have all of the retired modern passenger elex represented).

Very nice modeling guys. Thank you all for the nice comments re my project. Have a great weekend. 

Hey Everyone!

First off, thanks to Tom, Dave, and Andy for keeping Switcher Saturday "alive" while I've been moving.  I can't tell you all how much this little thread means to me and I appreciate you all contributing and pitching in each week.  It's a great community we have here, I've missed it very much.

We are now in our "new" house in Spotsylvania Virginia (just west of Fredericksburg VA).  The house is big and beautiful, we're only about 10-15 minutes away from my in-laws and we've been very busy getting unpacked, organized and getting the kids (Katie 13, Sara 11) adjusted.  The girls have met a few neighborhood kids so I'm hopeful they all become fast friends.

My trains are safe and sound in the basement (photo below), I quite frankly didn't realize how much stuff I had until I had to move it.  The switchers (and other engines) are in those big black tubs with the red handles, packed with extra bubble wrap just in case.  I've got two sections of the unfinished basement to choose from for using for trains/workshop.  It's going to take some time though to figure it all out.  Note:  in my defense of "hoarding", two of those boxes are my daughter Sara's trains!

I'm considering joining the "Rappahannock Model Railroaders" club so I think I might go to their next meeting in early August.  I'm overall not sure how much of a "club" kind of guy I am, we'll see!

  Thanks to all who come out each week, and thanks again to Tom, Dave, and Andy for running the show while I've been out. 

See you guys next week...Rich

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Murnane posted:

Hey Everyone!

First off, thanks to Tom, Dave, and Andy for keeping Switcher Saturday "alive" while I've been moving.  I can't tell you all how much this little thread means to me and I appreciate you all contributing and pitching in each week.  It's a great community we have here, I've missed it very much.

We are now in our "new" house in Spotsylvania Virginia (just west of Fredericksburg VA).  The house is big and beautiful, we're only about 10-15 minutes away from my in-laws and we've been very busy getting unpacked, organized and getting the kids (Katie 13, Sara 11) adjusted.  The girls have met a few neighborhood kids so I'm hopeful they all become fast friends.

My trains are safe and sound in the basement (photo below), I quite frankly didn't realize how much stuff I had until I had to move it.  The switchers (and other engines) are in those big black tubs with the red handles, packed with extra bubble wrap just in case.  I've got two sections of the unfinished basement to choose from for using for trains/workshop.  It's going to take some time though to figure it all out.  Note:  in my defense of "hoarding", two of those boxes are my daughter Sara's trains!

I'm considering joining the "Rappahannock Model Railroaders" club so I think I might go to their next meeting in early August.  I'm overall not sure how much of a "club" kind of guy I am, we'll see!

  Thanks to all who come out each week, and thanks again to Tom, Dave, and Andy for running the show while I've been out. 

See you guys next week...Rich

IMG_2181

Hey Rich- welcome back! Glad to hear the move went well and the family is settling in. The guys have done a good job in your absence (except for the day Dave @Steamer slept in ). Hope you get some trains up and running soon.

Bob

Rich,

Dave is forgiven, I think he is loaning each of us use of his Road Runner over the next year, if I understood correctly. I am waiting for him to mail out the sign-up sheet, but he keeps saying it "is in the mail." 

Glad things are working out well. If those are all of your train boxes, you need to pick up the pace my friend to get to actually being a "hoarder" like some of us!   

Tom 

MNCW posted:

Rich,

Dave is forgiven, I think he is loaning each of us use of his Road Runner over the next year, if I understood correctly. I am waiting for him to mail out the sign-up sheet, but he keeps saying it "is in the mail." 

Glad things are working out well. If those are all of your train boxes, you need to pick up the pace my friend to get to actually being a "hoarder" like some of us!   

Tom 

Yes- me too!

"Hey Rich- welcome back! Glad to hear the move went well and the family is settling in. The guys have done a good job in your absence (except for the day Dave @Steamer slept in ). Hope you get some trains up and running soon.

Bob"

 

 

by a whole 15 minutes..........after getting up at 4:30 for a week of daylight...so I felt that 8:15 was acceptable.....

 

 

"I think he is loaning each of us use of his Road Runner over the next year, if I understood correctly. I am waiting for him to mail out the sign-up sheet, but he keeps saying it "is in the mail." "

 

just as soon as the "small but fair" user fees are received........

 

 

I don't envy you or NYCJoe in having to move...although the thought of all that bare plywood to come has it's appeal....

 

 

 

Last edited by Steamer
RSJB18 posted:
MNCW posted:

Rich,

Dave is forgiven, I think he is loaning each of us use of his Road Runner over the next year, if I understood correctly. I am waiting for him to mail out the sign-up sheet, but he keeps saying it "is in the mail." 

Glad things are working out well. If those are all of your train boxes, you need to pick up the pace my friend to get to actually being a "hoarder" like some of us!   

Tom 

Yes- me too!

Yeah, I'll take a piece of that action 

 

Rich, what town did you move to? I know you said but I don't remember.

Last edited by jhz563

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