Hi F.E.F fans...although I showed a single picture of these guys last week, I wanted to include some additional pictures today. This is my "new" , Marx dual 1998 UP Alco S3 switcher lash up. Sometimes on the L&S we get a need to move a lot of cars from the wharf and our single switcher just does not have the power, so management has allowed us to use both our switchers in tandem to increase the HP we can bring to the job.
here they are:
Right now they are lashed up cab to cab but can be lashed up at either end. Candidly I am not sure what actual RR practice would be with such a dual engine pair, input from other folks on this thread with more knowledge of prototype operations would be most appreciated.
Showing off the front end to honor F.E.F here they are with their train passing the Savannah depot and on their way to the yards.
Little secret, Marx actually produced from the factory this switcher in BOTH powered and "dummy" versions. However, the current price (ebay) of the dummy exceeds the price for the powered loco - which is not too unusual from a collector point of view because the dummy is likely much more scarce as they made fewer. So L&S management (me) happened to have a 1998 UP with a motor so rusted up that it would never run again. A "junk box" purchase at a train show awhile ago with optimistic thoughts of repair that proved hopeless. However the shell, frame, and wheels were rust free, how the motor got to the condition it was without visible damage to the rest of the loco remains a mystery to me. A mornings work removing the motor and gear train to free up the wheels and I created my own "dummy" at no extra cost (lol).
Happy F.E.F everyone.
Don
