Switcher Saturday Sept 24, 2016

Ok one more to get us going these images are of 1922 GE demonstrator Oil Electric build #8835 that worked for a time at the Jay Street Connecting Railroad in Brooklyn NY as thier #4. I like that despite being a Boxcab operable from both sides the ends are different and one end more rounded. It is almost like a switcher version of the drive unit from a streamlined acticulated passenger train like the Zepher or Flying Yankee. At any rate a fun little one off. 

CNJ 3676 posted:

Morning Andy and Happy Switcher Saturday to everyone!

As has been mentioned previously, the earliest locomotives to utilize internal combustion for power were designed for yard and local work in urban areas due in large part to smoke abatement legislation. Among the most interesting of these pioneering types were the New York Central DES-3 class, also referred to as "tri-powers" as a result of their ability to operate as a diesel, an electric in third rail territory or off battery power for short periods of time. Naturally, members of the class were numerous in and around New York City as they performed a variety of tasks, switching and local service included, quite effectively. 

Bob

 

Good morning Bob. I came so close to posting a Trimotor. Great minds right. I like your images better though.

 The image I left at the top of my repost is interesting because that building with the tracks are going through it is still there at the end of today's High line Park. The tracks no longer cross that street and the hole is filled now with some bodies office. Right under the track here is a really great German Beer Garden that is attached to the Standard Hotel. I went to a colleagues retirement party here last month is how I know this. I can't fund a new hobby of going to expense bars in NYC. But this one was pretty neat.  October and Octorberfest is right around the corner right? 

Yes!…it’s Switcher Saturday!…one of the viewing and reading highlights of the week!..

I saw this “colorful” (to say the least) LGB garden train switcher on a blog I follow…and I had to share it…(with the permission of the blogger, Phil Parker)…here’s a link to his blog…

http://philsworkbench.blogspot.com/

I have been following Phil’s blog for quite a while…it’s always interesting…mostly British model train, model boats, tools, tips and interesting techniques…plus kit building, kit bashing and scratch building…and with a few observations on life in general…

Enjoy!…My very best regards…Howard…Florida…USA…Visit my web site… http://littleglitterhouses.com/

Also visit… https://www.cardboardchristmas.com/forums/  and https://bigindoortrains.com/forums/index.php

Happy Switcher Saturday everyone.

Great posts everyone from Andy's layout and that GE demonstrator that I never saw before to Bob's High Line shots of the Boxcab to the colorful LGB switcher posted above.

My contribution is my second to last prewar switcher that I bought, my #231. At "Tom's Old Switcher Home" it found  ninth life and once again became operational thanks to my friend Bill in Ossining. I repaired both of its marker lights and rebuilt (from copper and JB Weld) one of it's (cab) rear steps and pilot/front step. I love those manual Lionel switches, too. Back to the loco though, the front headlight is angled up from probably the same drop that damaged the pilot/front step. Always being an optimist, it reminds me of Kasey Kasem's line at the end of his long-running American Top 40 radio show, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." 

Tom 

(PS-this is not the last steam switcher that I bought {and posted a separate thread about} which is out at the great Harry Henning's train store for heavy "class" repairs.)

A new addition to the switcher stable, a Rail King RS-3.

Ahhhh Yes!!!  At last it's Switcher Saturday!!! Great information and photos everyone!!  I learn LOTS from this thread!  Thanks to Tom and Andy for pinch hitting for Rich!!  Here is a little something from the Free State Junction Railway.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody!!!

Silver Lake posted:

Ok one more to get us going these images are of 1922 GE demonstrator Oil Electric build #8835 that worked for a time at the Jay Street Connecting Railroad in Brooklyn NY as thier #4. I like that despite being a Boxcab operable from both sides the ends are different and one end more rounded. It is almost like a switcher version of the drive unit from a streamlined acticulated passenger train like the Zepher or Flying Yankee. At any rate a fun little one off. 

I love this little ditty!!  What a cool switcher!!  The rounded front also looks like the end of a boat tail observation car.

happy Saturday guys!

here's some from the Terminal Railroad Association, East St Louis between 1937 to '49

CNJ 3676 posted:

Morning Andy and Happy Switcher Saturday to everyone!

As has been mentioned previously, the earliest locomotives to utilize internal combustion for power were designed for yard and local work in urban areas due in large part to smoke abatement legislation. Among the most interesting of these pioneering types were the New York Central DES-3 class, also referred to as "tri-powers" as a result of their ability to operate as a diesel, an electric in third rail territory or off battery power for short periods of time. Naturally, members of the class were numerous in and around New York City as they performed a variety of tasks, switching and local service included, quite effectively. 

Bob

 

Bob - Very nice switcher!!  Thanks for all the background information too.  Were these photos taken in NYC?  If so, do you know where?   I love their flexibility and that they also pulled passenger locals in addition to switching duties.

trumptrain posted:

CNJ 3676 posted:

Morning Andy and Happy Switcher Saturday to everyone!

As has been mentioned previously, the earliest locomotives to utilize internal combustion for power were designed for yard and local work in urban areas due in large part to smoke abatement legislation. Among the most interesting of these pioneering types were the New York Central DES-3 class, also referred to as "tri-powers" as a result of their ability to operate as a diesel, an electric in third rail territory or off battery power for short periods of time. Naturally, members of the class were numerous in and around New York City as they performed a variety of tasks, switching and local service included, quite effectively. 

Bob

 

Bob - Very nice switcher!!  Thanks for all the background information too.  Were these photos taken in NYC?  If so, do you know where?   I love their flexibility and that they also pulled passenger locals in addition to switching duties.

I can recognize the locations of the last three shots. The third down is (I believe) from the Tower at the north side of the Crotan River crossing in Westchester. The lower two are from the West side High line in Manhattan. The forth shot is of the building that is the current end of the new park. The building has been closed off and has an office installed where the track used to pass through it. 

Trumptrain I love that B&O C 16. I have been on the lookout for one for a few years now. Someday.....

Tom P. The little accidental variations like the misaligned headlight make interesting character variations within a class of engines that are all otherwise the same. I say you should leave it. It looks neat and doesn't really affect the operation. Nice engine. I know you are aware of the PC 44 tonner on the Union Transportation Co. It had a number that was not correctly aligned and was distinguishable partly because of it.  Neat stuff.

Silver Lake posted:

I can't fund a new hobby of going to expense bars in NYC. But this one was pretty neat.

There's nothing wrong with drinking in a less-expensive bar, unless there is a tattoo parlor next door to it.

Here is another photo of the same type of locomotive that Andy/Silver Lake posted earlier...

Tom 

hmmm...find one 2400 observation with a busted body......

And another shot of the one I just posted (if not all the same locomotive)...

Tom

And maybe an early advertisement from back in the day...

Tom

Hi There 

In less than a month I purchased two Switcher engines .  The 0-6-0 is a Mth Railking that came out last Christmas ! The MTH Railking Rs-3 just came out before Labor Day ! 

Now I have three Switchers !  They run & sound Great !  They also have fan driven smoke units !  

MNCW posted:

And another shot of the one I just posted (if not all the same locomotive)...

Tom

 

Nice catches Tom. I believe these are all the same unit. The listed number in this image is the same on as the build number of the one I posted. This unit was built as a very early demonstrator that visited several railroads. It seemed to end up on the Jay Street Connecting where it is the most associated. I love the color Ad.

Great images this week guys. Thank you to everyone that contributed. Have a great rest of your weekend and we think Rich Murnane will be back next Saturday to head up another edition of SWSat.

Rich better not be gone too long, you guys are doing so well we may not let him back in.....