Switcher Saturday July 29, 2023 Edition

@RSJB18,

Thanks for starting today's Switcher Saturday and keeping this outstanding thread running smoothly.

Lionel’s model of Reading Locomotive Shops 0-6-0T #1251 (6-28613) was announced in 2004 at MSRP $99.00. It is a traditional O-27 model that operates only by conventional transformer control.

Reading Class B-4A #1251 ran on 50-inch driving wheels at 150 psi boiler pressure, weighed 120,000 pounds, and produced 24,500 pounds tractive effort. It was built by the railroad’s shops in 1918 and remained in use as a shop switcher until 1963. It is displayed at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg and is the only Reading steam locomotive that has been preserved.

Lionel’s model is similar to Reading #1251 but differs in numerous details. For example - #1251 has equally-spaced driving axles but the model does not.

MELGAR

Thanks, Bob, for stepping up to the plate and getting us switcher lovers started this Saturday.

Here is a powerful Pennsy switcher pulling a long and heavy freight consist. It's an MTH PS2, and I believe it's an S2, though I'm not 100% sure of that (it also might be a V01000):

Arnold

Good morning SwSat nation and thanks, Bob, for taking the throttle!  Your Yardmaster is on a tight schedule today, so he’s going to the archives for his post.  Here are photos of two number fours from the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington and Astoria Light, Heat and Power.

John

Another PW classic, the No. 41 Davenport gas turbine US Army switcher from 1955-57:

On the base today, she's hauling some spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing. As you can see, it's pretty "hot!" Hope I don't get too much "fallout" from this post!

Thanks for kicking things off, Bob. Wishing JHZ a safe and speedy return as well. Here is my favorite little steam switcher,  the MTH B6.

@Bill Swatos posted:

On the base today, she's hauling some spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing. As you can see, it's pretty "hot!" Hope I don't get too much "fallout" from this post!

Bill, your post absolutely radiates O gauge fun!

With a nod to Mel’s post above, here is an updated version of the Lionel 0-6-0T. A Lionchief Plus 2.0 It has more bells and whistles. (Pun intended)

Good morning SWSAT crew!

First, I want to thank Bob for jumping in the engineers seat this morning.  Also, thank you, Mel, for Keeping us updated.

Now for the reason we are here.  The Penn Central local is picking up a flat car from the team track. The crew works quickly and the train is on its way shortly:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

PS: The Van Wert, Ohio train show is today and tomorrow.  Nice show.  Lot of vendors and operating layouts.  If anybody is in Northwest Ohio or Northeast Indiana its worth the drive to see this one.  Hope to see you there!

@Bill Swatos posted:

Another PW classic, the No. 41 Davenport gas turbine US Army switcher from 1955-57:

On the base today, she's hauling some spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing. As you can see, it's pretty "hot!" Hope I don't get too much "fallout" from this post!

Bill,

I've never seen a 41 run that smoothly as such a slow speed.  You must really have that one tuned up.  Love the "sound system."

Tom

@RSJB18 posted:

MY EDIT:

She's got a lot of scale miles under her belt, but is still a great runner. The 623 is also one of the first full-scale size models that Lionel produced.

And when I say a lot....I mean  A LOT! These were the original pick ups.

Thanks, Bob, for kicking off SwSat!

Above picture shows wear suggestive of a life of travel predominantly in one direction, as the wear pattern is clearly uneven. This happens to display locos, run in train stores, day after day, in one direction.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Another PW classic, the No. 41 Davenport gas turbine US Army switcher from 1955-57:

On the base today, she's hauling some spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing. As you can see, it's pretty "hot!" Hope I don't get too much "fallout" from this post!

Good looking #41 Bill I see your tracks behind #41 have spent fuel leaking on your tracks better get out your HAZMAT suit

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Thanks, Bob, for kicking off SwSat!

Above picture shows wear suggestive of a life of travel predominantly in one direction, as the wear pattern is clearly uneven. This happens to display locos, run in train stores, day after day, in one direction.

Interesting. I had never thought of that but it does make sense given the condition of the engine overall. Very few scratches and no bent handrails. Typically things that something with high mileage would have.

Thanks Mark.

Off to a great start today Gents. Thanks for the support!

Bob

@Bill Swatos posted:

Another PW classic, the No. 41 Davenport gas turbine US Army switcher from 1955-57:

On the base today, she's hauling some spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing. As you can see, it's pretty "hot!" Hope I don't get too much "fallout" from this post!

@Sitka posted:

Good looking #41 Bill I see your tracks behind spent fuel is leaking on your tracks better get out your HAZMAT suit

I think Bill is OK- not sure I would say the same for "Herbie"

Good morning fellow switcher fans!   Thanks so much Bob for being in the engineer's seat this morning and notching out the throttle to get us rolling this morning!!  As SWSat is one of the most popular threads going, it's important that we keep it going!  Wishing JHZ563 all the best as his train sits on the siding ...  and I look forward to his return.  

As I'm on the road this morning returning from the University of SC, here are some quick pics from the archives.   Have a terrific weekend everyone!

A WM BL2 is the second unit of the locomotive consist of this Alpha Jet freight.

A Washington Terminal RS1 and C&O 0-8-0 pass each other.  One of the many things I love about the "Transition era" is you never know what will come down the tracks at any given moment.  During the Transition Era, the old and the new coexisted on the rails making for a broadly interesting parade of trains.  

RS 1 from the front, with short hood hidden from view, it looks like an S1.

Busy day of switching as a Pennsy 44 tonner pushes a tank car and RS-1 backs to its waiting train.  

Thanks to RSJB18 (Bob) to start this fine thread and stepping in for JHZ563 on this fine Switcher Saturday

A PRR B6 switcher has just dropped 3 cars to the Reading Brewery:

Good morning switcher fans and Happy SWSAT.  Bob, thank you for relieving JHZ in our hour of need.  I'm sure you'll you'll keep us rolling admirably until JHZ returns.

Mel Lionel's 0-6-0T is a sharp little engine.  I've got a red Christmas one that performs smoothly under the tree year after year.

Arnold I believe you've got a V01000 there. it's running at a perfect speed for a switcher pulling that train, not a rocket on rails nor a creeping tortoise.

Strap it's always an interesting train with your selection of custom run cars.

Tom D, nice switching action.  Made me think of some appropriate figure placements when I put my layout together.

Bill I've got one of those gas turbine switchers in Alaska RR livery.  I think it's one of the noisiest engines I've got.

Patrick a nice selection of transition locos from the archives.  Were you performing at USC?

Paul great video from the conductor's seat in the caboose cupola.  How did ou accomplish that?

Thank you Bob for getting things going!  I haven't posted for a while, but thought I would post some photographs I took for another thread.

First this TMCC 0-8-0.  It is the only steam switcher I have.  While not a switcher, since it is in the same photograph, I'll mention the 2026 our older daughter found at a local thrift store a few years back.

Here are the two ALCo road switchers RS3 on the Ceiling Central Railroad.  They make a nice lashup.

A great SwSat.  Hopefully JHZ will still follow along.

My MTH PRR A5 is rapidly becoming my most fun steam shifter.  Runs better than my upgraded K-Line A5 and its small size is more accurate.

@Bill Swatos - Bill I am sure we can all bask in the "glow" of your neat little switcher! Thanks for posting.

RSJB18 - Thanks for taking up the slack and keeping us going.

For me today, a few shots of my WbB Southern GE 50 T switcher.  Here first is a shot at she pulls her small consist through the back yards of Small Town on her way to deliver to local industries.

Here she is again, exiting the yard to attend to her duties today.

Best wishes everyone, hope you are having a great weekend.

Don

I'm another one that doesn't post much lately. I picked up a new/used road switcher from the auction site. I never buy engines from e*** but I had to have this one.

Charlie

Charlie, that is a smart looking switcher.  I may have bought one, but everything else I have is steam and first generation diesel.

Mark,

I was a NASA contractor for over 40 years, so naturally, I collect the NASA trains.

C.

@Tom Densel posted:

Good morning SWSAT crew!

First, I want to thank Bob for jumping in the engineers seat this morning.  Also, thank you, Mel, for Keeping us updated.

Now for the reason we are here.  The Penn Central local is picking up a flat car from the team track. The crew works quickly and the train is on its way shortly:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

PS: The Van Wert, Ohio train show is today and tomorrow.  Nice show.  Lot of vendors and operating layouts.  If anybody is in Northwest Ohio or Northeast Indiana its worth the drive to see this one.  Hope to see you there!

Very nice switcher action, Tom!

@coach joe posted:

Arnold I believe you've got a V01000 there. it's running at a perfect speed for a switcher pulling that train, not a rocket on rails nor a creeping tortoise.

Thanks, Coach Joe, for that clarification.

@coach joe posted:

Good morning switcher fans and Happy SWSAT.  Bob, thank you for relieving JHZ in our hour of need.  I'm sure you'll you'll keep us rolling admirably until JHZ returns.

Mel Lionel's 0-6-0T is a sharp little engine.  I've got a red Christmas one that performs smoothly under the tree year after year.

Arnold I believe you've got a V01000 there. it's running at a perfect speed for a switcher pulling that train, not a rocket on rails nor a creeping tortoise.

Strap it's always an interesting train with your selection of custom run cars.

Tom D, nice switching action.  Made me think of some appropriate figure placements when I put my layout together.

Bill I've got one of those gas turbine switchers in Alaska RR livery.  I think it's one of the noisiest engines I've got.

Patrick a nice selection of transition locos from the archives.  Were you performing at USC?

Paul great video from the conductor's seat in the caboose cupola.  How did ou accomplish that?

Indeed, Joe. She's not afraid to let everyone know she's "comin' 'round the bend!"

@Sitka posted:

Good looking #41 Bill I see your tracks behind #41 have spent fuel leaking on your tracks better get out your HAZMAT suit

Yeah, I gotta don the PPE and mop that up! Hope the NRC doesn't come a-callin'!

@Tom Densel posted:

Bill,

I've never seen a 41 run that smoothly as such a slow speed.  You must really have that one tuned up.  Love the "sound system."

Tom

Thanks for the compliment, Tom! I got her from Trainz for $50 and, at first, she wouldn't even start moving 'til about half throttle (~10V) on my Z-1000 and, even then, very haltingly. Fortunately, from the condition of the collector rollers, it looked like she hardly had any run time on her. I tore down the motor and, sure enough, there was hardly any bearing or gear wear but there was "gummy" grease everywhere and the commutator had "varnished." I cleaned everything up including a few passes of 400 grit paper on the commutator with damp cloth cleanup after to remove any "stray" grit. I greased the top bearing and the worm and drive gear with Moly grease.

Now, here's the real secret: the lower radial thrust bearing in these locos is nylon. When the loco runs, especially under load, the armature shaft is pushed rearward against that thrust bearing by the worm wanting to "climb" out of engagement with the drive gear. If not properly lubricated, that bearing generates considerable resistance against the armature turning. Over time, of course, it gets worn to an oblong shape such that the worm is no longer held in proper engagement with the drive gear and you're done for. As I mentioned above my nylon bearing had no appreciable wear. I lubricated it with plumber's silicone grease (silicone grease delivers very low CoF between plastic and metal) buttoned everything back up and-voila!-she started up at just 6V! As you've heard, she makes a racket doing it, but she'll run consistently at about 10 scale mph around my humble little oval (048 curves).

@Bill Swatos posted:

Yeah, I gotta don the PPE and mop that up! Hope the NRC doesn't come a-callin'!

Yes, the NRC would wonder how you got the hot fuel pellets out of the fuel rods and into a cask like those!

Ron

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Bill, your post absolutely radiates O gauge fun!

Thanks, Mark! Seriously, the "Toxic Waste" flatcar is one of the oddest of the "themed" rolling stock offerings created during the Kughn era. The flickering light effect is not from bad pickup but from incandescent bulbs equipped with flasher strips. I got it NIB as a "freebie" from an e*** seller when she lost the item I had actually purchased and she had to issue a refund. I just had to have fun with it.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Thanks, Mark! Seriously, the "Toxic Waste" flatcar is one of the oddest of the "themed" rolling stock offerings created during the Kughn era. The flickering light effect is not from bad pickup but from incandescent bulbs equipped with flasher strips. I got it NIB as a "freebie" from an e*** seller when she lost the item I had actually purchased and she had to issue a refund. I just had to have fun with it.

I don’t know, Bill.  I’m questioning the integrity of the toxic waste canisters.  That glow looks like they should have a few empty flat cars between it and the engine.  🤔 🤪

Another great edition of SWSat this week folks.

Thanks to all for stopping by and sharing your pix and stories.

Still think the NRC is gonna pay a visit to Bill's house soon......

So as a reminder, I will start next week's edition again. If time permits, I'll do a new post but if not, then I'll re-start this one with the current date.

SWSAT NATION ROLLS ON!

Bob

@Mark Boyce posted:

I don’t know, Bill.  I’m questioning the integrity of the toxic waste canisters.  That glow looks like they should have a few empty flat cars between it and the engine.  🤔 🤪

How 'bout this, Mark:

The boys found a boxcar this time...

@Bill Swatos posted:

How 'bout this, Mark:

The boys found a boxcar this time...

A buffer car is always recommended Bill.

Good work by the crew.

Bob

@Bill Swatos posted:

How 'bout this, Mark:The boys found a boxcar this time...

Much better, Bill!  Did they check that there were no hobos riding the boxcar??  😜

@coach joe posted:

Good morning switcher fans and Happy SWSAT.  Bob, thank you for relieving JHZ in our hour of need.  I'm sure you'll you'll keep us rolling admirably until JHZ returns.

Mel Lionel's 0-6-0T is a sharp little engine.  I've got a red Christmas one that performs smoothly under the tree year after year.

Arnold I believe you've got a V01000 there. it's running at a perfect speed for a switcher pulling that train, not a rocket on rails nor a creeping tortoise.

Strap it's always an interesting train with your selection of custom run cars.

Tom D, nice switching action.  Made me think of some appropriate figure placements when I put my layout together.

Bill I've got one of those gas turbine switchers in Alaska RR livery.  I think it's one of the noisiest engines I've got.

Patrick a nice selection of transition locos from the archives.  Were you performing at USC?

Paul great video from the conductor's seat in the caboose cupola.  How did ou accomplish that?

Coach Joe - Thank you!  Yes I was performing, teaching, and recording plus attending lectures and classes at USC all last week. I greatly enjoy learning new things and sharing with others what I know.  It was a delightful week!!!  The daily schedule was intensely packed from 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 pm.  I got home last night, to an extremely hot house,  only to discover that a storm knocked out power in my area yesterday afternoon!   It just came back on tonight at 8 pm.  Luckily the weather was only in the low 80's today and the humidity is bearable.  

After everything wound down at noon of Friday, I grabbed lunch with a friend, then I was off to find a train store.  Once there, I had a wonderful time talking to other O Guage customers and the owner whose name is Joe.  I spent some $$ too!!  The Brookland RR and Hobby Shop is located in West Columbia SC.  It caters to N, HO, S, G, and the O gauge selection is abundantly stocked.  The store, actually constructed of brick and mortar started its' life as a Sinclair gas station.  

Great job Bob! Excellent posts from everyone as always. Bob, I can jump in anytime to help start the thread, just say the word and I’ll begin this week or next.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

Great job Bob! Excellent posts from everyone as always. Bob, I can jump in anytime to help start the thread, just say the word and I’ll begin this week or next.

Andy

Thanks for stopping by and the hosting offer Andy.  I think I'm OK for a couple of weeks. I'll reach out if necessary.

Bob

@Bill Swatos posted:

How 'bout this, Mark:

The boys found a boxcar this time...

This "waste" car takes me back to 1958/1959 when Lionel first brought out this car.   In 58 as part of a set, but in 59 became available as an individual offering.

I had to have one I guess since the very first commercial nuclear power plant was commissioned in 1957 not that many miles away on the Ohio River.  Mine had grey containers maybe representing concrete which would have been the BEST material but sure no one that Lionel knew that.  But even back then before became knowledgeable about this stuff, questioned the the "window" shaped as a nuclear symbol  cut into the container.  And "red" would be the incorrect color!

And there is no way the spent fuel pellets could be just "dumped" into a container like that.

Ron

@PRRronbh posted:

This "waste" car takes me back to 1958/1959 when Lionel first brought out this car.   In 58 as part of a set, but in 59 became available as an individual offering.

I had to have one I guess since the very first commercial nuclear power plant was commissioned in 1957 not that many miles away on the Ohio River.  Mine had grey containers maybe representing concrete which would have been the BEST material but sure no one that Lionel knew that.  But even back then before became knowledgeable about this stuff, questioned the the "window" shaped as a nuclear symbol  cut into the container.  And "red" would be the incorrect color!

And there is no way the spent fuel pellets could be just "dumped" into a container like that.

Ron

Good to know there was a PW version of this car; I found the original described at the Tandem Associates website. I think the PW containers were labeled "radioactive waste" instead of "toxic waste" like the 1993 Kughn era version which is likely why I missed the PW version. Turns out there is also an MPC version, also labeled "radioactive waste." Finally, the PW car was reissued as part of the "Postwar Celebration Series" in the 2000's. And, yes, the concept of placing radioactive waste into such containers is, to put it mildly, quaint.

@Edmund Schwartzel 060518 posted a video of an actual nuclear fuel shipment passing around the Horseshoe Curve:

https://ogrforum.com/...e-today-what-is-this

Now THAT would make a cool model!