Your Best Switcher and Why?

Any Atlas SW, with electro-couplers 

These are good small switchers.  Weaver Pennsy A5 with TMCC upgrade and electro-couplers.  Rich Yoder GE 44 tonner also TMCC upgrade and electro-couplers.  

I'm with you Arnold. As most know, I have a small layout so switchers are the only motive power in use. Don't know if I have one favorite but my K-line A5 0-4-0 is nice.

I have a WbB NW-2 that was a jack rabbit until I re-wired it in series. It runs great now.

And this recent addition by MTH w/PS2. If I ever add DCS then I could take advantage of all of the features. It still runs great in conventional though.

No switcher fleet is complete without this post war classic.....

Bob

Mike and Bob, Bravo, those are great switchers you both have. Arnold

Love my two WBB NW-2s that a forum member upgraded for me with ERR Cruise Commander. I was able to get the specific road names I wanted with all the related control goodies.

The PER is a walk-around largely switching pike with any operating session involving several dozen drilling moves. I find the MTH PS3 SW1500 best suited to the work because using a DCS Remote Commander and having Speed Control I am able to concentrate on slow-speed switching moves without having to mess with constant throttle adjustments. The SW1500 and MP15 are my favorite prototypes and I chose the MTH SW1500 for it's correct wheelbase Flexicoil trucks.

PS3 sound is great with just a couple nitpicks. The air-compressor sound is not synchronized with Prime Mover RPM which is bothersome. Also the Prime Mover doesn't start to rev up until you hit 4smph which is disconcerting. Oh, and one other thing, to me the engine sound is that of an un-loaded EMD, that is, of an engine being notched-up while the generator field switch is turned "off" rather than the authoritative chant of a 567/645 under load but again, this is a nitpick as the sound experience is still quite worthwhile.

The gadget that makes walk-around possible:

With the engine having Speed Control this is the perfect throttle for switching work. Each +/- push of the rocker-button changes speed by 1smph.

My only complaint (and pretty much everyone's who does slow-speed switching with MTH engines) is the little lurch these engines give when starting but at 3-4smph they settle down. I'll live with it compared to the rocket-starts of most O Gauge engines. The exception is the Atlas SW8/9s which start beautifully but without speed-control I found I had to concentrate on constant small throttle-changes to operate at switching speeds so I standardized on the MTH SW1500.

 I would have to go with the recent MTH 0-8-0. At least as far as out of the box. I have steam switchers from pretty much everyone. The early Lionel 0-8-0’s are nice runners. You need to connect the 4 rollers together and shorten the drawbar. I couldn’t take that large gap. Their recent 0-8-0’s are connected with a tether. But the performance as far as switching was a disaster. 

 I recently purchased an Atlas 0-6-0. Nice looking and seems to run well. Just haven’t run it enough to really evaluate it.

  I have a Weaver brass 0-6-0. It might be my best runner. I added a pickup roller to the tender and ERR cruise and sound. Lacks a lot of features but most aren’t used by me anyways.

 That leaves the MTH 0-8-0’s. The earliest ones featured 2 pickups on the engine and 1 on the tender. The later Proto 2’s only had 2 on the tender. Never really had a problem with it. The latest version has gone back to the 3. I run Kadee’s and the mounts come with it and the holes are already tapped. Whistle and bell cords. Cab curtains. If you like smoke. You can’t beat MTH. Although their have been reported problems with the MTH tether. So far so good and it looks good. I may try a shorter one at some point. Sounds aren’t bad either. I purchased mine at a good price from Mr Muffins. Originally it was a Bessemer and Lake Erie. I needed one with white striping. I reletter everything into the Rutland as long as the engine is close enough to the prototype. I vote with my wallet. The Rutland only owned 2 0-8-0’s. For you collectors. Not sure how many were made with the B&LE scheme. If I can find another at a decent price there will be 2 less on the market.

Arnold, Another great topic.  I'll post photographs later, I'm just at the computer waiting for the dog to come back in.  I have an MTH PS3 0-8-0, PS2 RS3, PS3 upgraded from PS1 BL2, all in Western Maryland fireball, and like Bob, the Lionel CNJ 621 that is the same age as me, 63.  I'll write more later, as Annie is ready to come in, and because of the weather we are at home watching TV church.

MTH 44 ton and MTH 2-rail 0-6-0 ..... reliability 

I have to go with this one.  Completely for sentimental value.  It belonged to my dad when he was a kid.  He gave it to me when I was young.  Was able to get it running and then converted it with an ERR board so my grandson could use it.  It is a hard runner and will pull a huge long consist with very little trouble.  It has become my grandson’s favorite as well. When I am done with it he will inherit it with the story of 4 generations of a great switcher!

This was at a train show before I converted it with the ERR board. 

Great topic Arnold!  

My best switcher in terms of reliability is my MTH B&O SW9 with Proto 2.0, the MTH Docksider, and Lionel scale 0-8-0.  I also really like my K line A5 which I purchased new in Feb. 2019.    

I purchased the SW9 new back in 2005 and have NEVER had a problem with it.  The Dockside I purchased used off e bay back in 2009 and have never had a problem .... it always runs.  

My Lionel scale C&O  0-8-0  is a very reliable locomotive and performs much of my industrial switching duties.  

I like the K line A5 because of its overall look and reliability.  Although it does not " creep " along the rails, I can get it to a slow/believable switcher tempo.  I also very much enjoyed weathering the A5 and Docksider which are my only weathered locomotives to date.    Both locos are included in the photos below. 

Arnold, nice topic again. Don't forget the next Toy & Train Show on Feb. 2. 

My best switcher is my most recent arrival, a Lionel prewar #233 steam switcher. Built in the 1940-42 time range, it is anywhere from 78 to 80 years old, built in the USA when craftsmanship was it its peak. This was "high-tech" in its day.

Tom 

This guy -  smooth reliable never skips a beat 

Because this is my only switcher right now...guess it has to be my favorite too! 😉

Hmm... best switcher?  Good question!

I'll try my best.  I don't own a lot of true switcher engines, but these 3rd Rail SD9s spent most of their career in hump yard service.  Granted I don't have a 2 rail layout yet to operate them.  These run so well with ball bearings on all the axles though, this would make a great switcher. 

I love critters and small locomotive, I just haven't run across the one's I'm looking for on my layout. 

I own some old atlas switchers, a K-Line critter, and PW CNJ NW-2, but outside of the K-line locomotive the others haven't seen any run time.

Do these count?

Arnold,

     About a month ago you had a thread titled “ Show me your best” and I attached a video of my Lionel Legacy B6 engine. So now your asking “What is your best switcher?”. My answer is the same. My Lionel Legacy B6 which in my opinion is the best switcher ever made because it smokes great, sounds great, can run at speed step one all day never stall. Here is the video again. One more thing it was very reasonable when I purchased it in 2015 (I think). Now Lionel is redoing them and looks like they kept the price the same. Would recommend anybody wanting not a good switcher but a great switch pick one up.

JohnB

My Lionel 8976 B6 switcher. About 80 years old and still runs like a champ. Best of all, no electronics!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Truth is, I believe my best switcher is one of two that I have ordered, but have not yet received and run on my layout. When I do run them (one is an MTH Proto 3 that I should receive within the next two weeks, and the other is an LC+2.0 I should receive in the Spring of 2020), then I will post comments and photos/videos of them on this thread.

I do have a good memory for things. Not wanting to be a troublemaker or rock the boat here, but when I read the above I immediately thought of another recent thread Arnold started. So to be certain, I went back to it. From that thread:

"It's great to see gigantic and spectacular layouts with model trains that are the best that money can buy, such as those that can be seen on train videos we can purchase from OGR and other model train magazines.  However, if you feel, like I do, that what you have is not in that spectacular category, I have no doubt that we can still glean a tremendous amount of joy and happiness from what we already have. This is especially true if we make the best of what we have." (Bold emphasis mine)

And on that prior thread, I commented that the train hobby continues on a retail level based upon hobbiests actually not being content with what they have.

As far as this topic and the best switcher, I'd have to say it's all subjective, isn't it? There's one guy here - a MTH guy - and every time a thread on Lionel MPC comes up, has to post his story about how MPC locomotives can't pull their own shadow. I guess he ignores the many threads about MTH engines problems, sometimes right out of the box. If they don't run, then I guess you could use his same standard and say MTH engines don't pull their own shadow either.

So... in many instances, these types of questions are not only subjective based on a performance merit, but also subjective based upon individual personal opinion bias.

That all said, I'm truly content with what I have. For me, the best switcher is NOT the one that I don't have yet: The best switchers are ones I already have. With miminal alterations, they can crawl, run slowly and even steadily on tight 027 curves. Roadname issues: Ah, I just repaint them. Details? In my imagination, they're all there. And the best thing of all, besides being affordable and reilable, is that they're all scale.... precise 027 scale! 

Another:    Weaver Pennsy C1 with electronics upgrade and electro-couplers front and rear. 

I've tried to collect an example of all of the postwar engines Lionel has made, the exceptions are the scale engines (my max curve is 042).

So, my favorites would be #624 C&O NW2, #1615 0-4-0, and the prewar #203 0-6-0.

Here are the photographs I promised earlier.  I quite honestly can't say which is best, but I will make some comments about each.

The BL2 that was PS1, and I upgraded it to PS3 because I thought MTH would never come out with this ood engine in WM scheme again.  No sooner had I done the upgrade, and they proved me wrong.  LOL  It runs okay, but I still like the appearance.  Yes it is a road switcher, but I'll include it.

I love the RS3 appearance.  They are maybe my favorite first generation diesel.  This is a PS2 Railking Scale, and runs great, though it doesn't have the detail of a newer Premier.    Yes it is a road switcher, but I'll include it.

I like steam engines better than diesels, so this PS3 0-8-0 is my favorite for looks, and it is a strong pulling engine.

This postwar NW2 was a gift our older daughter gave me for Christmas 2013.  She found it and the original set of cars and a 2026 with all it's cars in the local St. Vincent de Paul thrift store.  It runs great.

Has to be my Lionel 1656. I don't typically use it for switching, but a great locomotive nonetheless.

This is another Arnold Cribari impossible question to answer – but I shall try!

Small locomotives are the right fit on my 10’-by-5’ model railroad. However, the layout was designed for its scenic value – so it is just a loop of O-54 track – and low-speed loop-running rather than operational switching is what I do. But, if I must select only one type of switcher, none runs or looks better on my layout than the MTH Premier GE 44-ton locomotives – of which I have two in New Haven Railroad livery and two in Boston & Maine. Although I still prefer the action and sounds of my numerous steam engine switchers, the diminutive 44-tonners probably run the best of any I have.

MELGAR

A shout out to the humble K line Plymouth.

I've got 6 of them and still looking for more. 

I have quite a few switchers, both steam and diesel.   It is hard to pick the best runner.    I am think the old Max Grey PRR C1 0-8-0 is the smoothest runner.    I got it as a basket case and remotored it and did some work on the suspension.    I also have a USH version of the same loco that is right up there.    those are both large switchers and see service working my yard which is pretty much continuous for a 3 hour op session.     Another little surprise is a Weaver PRR A5 0-4-0.    That is a real strong puller and runs well.   It is a favorite of the guys who work the connellsville industrial area.    

When diesels are running (I do either/or), I have a Sunset 3rd Rail GE 44T that works connellsville.    It is a surprisingly very strong puller and good runner, but a bit noisey.     They guys like it too.

For the main yard, probably the best runner is an Atlas SW9.   

All in all, I don't consider any of mine bad operationally.     that includes old All-Nation NW2, a Carworks VO1000 and an NJCB Alco S1.

MTH EMD SW1 and MTH Alco S2 switchers work for me. They can pull long cuts of cars and never a problem going over switches. 

Here is the beginning of my answer.

For sentimental reasons, including that it was my very first switcher (Christmas gift at age of 2 or 3), I would pick the classic Lionel US Army gas turbine switcher #41. Here it is: 

I suspect that for many of us Forumites, this little guy was our first switcher, and for that reason, many of us are sentimentally attached to it.

Any drawbacks? Yes. It is a weak puller; has no Magnetraction; no corn, whistle, bell or smoke; and has no electrocouplers. Therefore, it does the bare minimum operationally. But, we still love it.

I will have more to say on this thread later.

I greatly appreciate the input all of you have given so far.

Arnold

The MTH RS-1 (30-20384-1) is my favorite switcher and one of my favorite engines period.  Reliable, great sounds, big smoke, and very detailed.  Hard to believe it's RailKing (a bargain).  If MTH releases future RS-1's in one of my road names, I won't hesitate to buy another.

Thank you for the pictures of your RS-1 MIKEH. The IT was and still is my favorite railroad. I used to watch them run by my house, growing up. The football scheme with the block style, shadow lined, I T with the script lettering is also my favorite

Rusty

MikeH posted:

The MTH RS-1 (30-20384-1) is my favorite switcher and one of my favorite engines period.  Reliable, great sounds, big smoke, and very detailed.  Hard to believe it's RailKing (a bargain).  If MTH releases future RS-1's in one of my road names, I won't hesitate to buy another.

Mike, this MTH Proto 3 RS-1 seems to be the favorite of other Forumites as well as you.

How are its front and back electrocouplers, does it run ice and slow for smooth switching operations, and does it exist in NY Central livery?

And, approximately how much did it cost?

Any answers to these questions would be helpful. I will double check the contributions on this thread so far because others may have answered some of these questions. Arnold 

I forgot about this video.  Does this count as switching or not?

Arnold - it is funny.  You have me thinking.  I don't have space for a full size layout, but I do have room for a 2x8 switching section in two rail.  It could be the start of my future layout. 

Here is one of several of these antiques I have for that layout.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

MikeH posted:

The MTH RS-1 (30-20384-1) is my favorite switcher and one of my favorite engines period.  Reliable, great sounds, big smoke, and very detailed.  Hard to believe it's RailKing (a bargain).  If MTH releases future RS-1's in one of my road names, I won't hesitate to buy another.

Mike, this MTH Proto 3 RS-1 seems to be the favorite of several other Forumites as well as you.

How are its front and back electrocouplers, does it run ice and slow for smooth switching operations, and does it exist in NY Central livery?

And, approximately how much did it cost?

Any answers to these questions would be helpful. I will double check the contributions on this thread so far because others may have answered some of these questions. Arnold 

Arnold,

I am delighted with it in every way.  I've never had an issue with either coupler and I'm perfectly happy with its slow speed operation.  I can recommend it unequivocally.  I have no idea if MTH has released it in NYC.  My version is from the 2016 Vol. 2 catalog so you should start your research there.  My price after coupon and free S&H from Mario's Trains was $280 even.  In this age, for a new scale engine with premier level detail?  I call that a bargain (but maybe not the best I ever had - for Who fans ).

Because one like this was part of my first set of O gauge, ( 2572) and I never went back to HO. I have both sets that have this engine in it. 2572 & 13028 I actually have 4 of these engines I have two 2572 sets and one 13028 and one extra engine. 

Another favorite of mine is the classic Lionel Postwar 6220 bellringer, which IMO is very good mechanically, a very good puller because of its heft and Magnetraction and I picked it among several very similar engines (like the beautiful and colorful Seaboard model, and the Santa Fe model with the horn) because I find the bell ringer feature charming (it drives others crazy. LOL.):

Its drawbacks? No smoke or horn; and it has electrocouplers but their use is limited to wherever you have remote control track sections, unless you are clever enough (I'm not) to upgrade it, or are willing to pay to have someone else upgrade it for you.

Notwithstanding its drawbacks, I still love it. Arnold

This one is PS-2:

New York Central RS-1

From 2005 Vol. 2 catalog

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Here is the beginning of my answer.

For sentimental reasons, including that it was my very first switcher (Christmas gift at age of 2 or 3), I would pick the classic Lionel US Army gas turbine switcher #41. Here it is: 

I suspect that for many of us Forumites, this little guy was our first switcher, and for that reason, many of us are sentimentally attached to it.

Any drawbacks? Yes. It is a weak puller; has no Magnetraction; no corn, whistle, bell or smoke; and has no electrocouplers. Therefore, it does the bare minimum operationally. But, we still love it.

I will have more to say on this thread later.

I greatly appreciate the input all of you have given so far.

Arnold

I'm not exactly young anymore, but then again I think I am in the younger demographic of O scale.  I don't have a picture of it currently, but I recently found it doing inventory.  My first switcher was an HO Athearn SW7 that I repainted into CNJ "Red Baron" paint when I was about 15.

Ditto for the classic Postwar 1656 steamer bellringer. What I said about the 6220 diesel bellringerapplies to the 1656 steamer bellringer, which, of course I also love:

Arnold

Have to say all of the below.

Don't think I could pick one of these over the others.

Ron

And, I'm sentimentally attached to this Postwar 626 B&O 44 tonner center cab diesel because my dad bought it for me when I was about 11 years old at Telly's Hardware Store in downtown Mt. Vernon, NY, and it wasn't even a special occasion like a birthday or Christmas. Then, we took it home and he started building a beautiful tressled layout on a 4 by 8 plywood board with a grass mat on saw horses. To say I was thrilled is an understatement:

It's also beautiful IMO.

Its drawbacks: its light with only 1 motor so it is not a very good puller notwithstanding its Magnetraction; no smoke, horn or whistle; and the couplers require being over the remote control track sections unless you have it upgraded. 

I still love it. Arnold

PRRronbh posted:

Have to say all of the below.

Don't think I could pick one of these over the others.

Ron

Ron, I have pre-ordered the above 8332 NY Central RS-3, assuming it's the MTH Railking Proto 3. I would love to know anything you want to say about how it operates as a switcher. Best, Arnold

PS, I realize it's very hard to pick one of these beauties as the best, as is evident from my own utter failure to do so. LOL