Uses of the USRA 0-8-0 Switcher - Norfolk and Western

Well, they switched out passenger trains along with other switching dutys. The last steam engine built for a Class 1 railroad was N&W S1a #244...

...and yes they lasted to the very end of steam on the N&W. The N&W bought surplus 0-8-0's from the C&O. They liked them so much that they built their own and more than a few, modifying them and the tenders all the while.

Nice picture!  I had not thought it might only be switching the passenger cars, note on the coal cars picture, the cars appear to be empty and it looks like it is pushing them...

hokie71 posted:

N&W may even have made a few it seems

You could say that. Roanoke Shops built 45 S1a's from 1951-53. The MTH 30-1608-1 is a pretty little chooch, but is not a S1a by any stretch of the imagination. About the only thing that is "right" is the 0-8-0 wheel arrangement and the spelling on the tender. The tender itself is totally wrong, and the headlight is not centered. 

I do have a MTH Premier 0-8-0, but give me a "correct" S1a and I'd sell it in a NY minute. I do hold out hope that Scott Mann or Mike Wolf will someday make it right.

Thanks Gilly, you verified the S1a had to be a beast of a different color. I need to scrutinize these pictures to improve my insights. Maybe I should pretend that is what I have, my layout visitors can be bamboozled ��.

The club is wrapping up our display at the Great Big Greenhouse on Saturday (10:00-2:00). If you would like to see it, I'll run my MTH 0-8-0 w/ my MOW work train.

Switchers such as the 0-8-0 were pretty much relegated to low speed duties which generally meant switching and transfer runs.    They were limited by the small driver size and the lack of lead truck.    So probably 30-40 mph was fast for them and they would rocking and rolling all over the place at that speed.

But for a tranfer run, or working a passenger terminal, pretty much any cars you have work out.   Also a work train.    And of course, even without a yard they could be working local industries.

Gilly, I am in for a Saturday trip to the big city. Dying to see the updated  layout, assuming our former employer can live without you for a few hours?

PRRJIM,

I like the work train idea, crane, logs, Moe & Joe, welding, and whatever I find from Gilly's creative MOW streak!

This is what I love about our hobby!

Well that's quite a switcher if I ever saw one! Big and hulking-showing its brute strength. 

Really cool too to see how the N&W modified their 0-8-0s with front end throttles, baker valve gear, two air compressors, etc. Neat! 

N&W also used Z's and Y's in yard service.

Correct, there is a bunch of film footage of them in use in hump service.