Hello once again and welcome to Switcher Saturday
If you can appreciate smaller locomotives and the hard work they do this is weekly thread for you.
For those new to the thread, the basic premise is this:
- We talk about about switcher locomotives of sizes, scales and gauges. From little yard goats and track mobiles to road switchers and transfer diesels its fair game. Examples range from the Dash 8 loco's that Amtrak uses to slice and dice the auto train at both ends, to single truck assembly with a battery pack on it used to move cars around inside a shop.
- As stated above all scales and gauges and are welcome. Be it a N scale A-5, a Standard gauge steeple cab, a 3 rail O gauge NW-2, or a 12" to the foot center cab, they all hold the same amount of weight! Obviously there is a heavy dose of 3 rail O gauge.
- Everybody be nice. This has nary been a problem with this thread and let's keep it that way!
- Everybody plays by the rules within the OGR terms of service regarding pictures and video.
With that premise taken care of, I have a bit of a treat for you all this weekend.
I would like to introduce you all to Brookville Equipment Corporation. If you don't know about this company - you should! Started by a Ford dealer in 1918 they have been making diesel and gas powered locomotives since WW1. Brookville is located towards the North West region of Pennsylvania.
They make a broad range of equipment starting with a long history of logging and mining related products. At one time or another they put just about everything on rails from school buses and ambulances, to flatcars, crew transport cars, and bullet proof pay wagons. I encourage everyone to check out their webpage for a full listing of their innovative products such as liquid cooled disc brakes, rubber mounted suspension mining equipment, and eco friendly cogeneration repowering.
Today they offer jack-walker rerailing mining equipment, locomotive rebuild services, and manufacture new locomotives for both industrial and passenger operations. They even manufacture beautiful award winning light rail equipment that is in service in major cities throughout the U.S.
I would like to offer a special thank you Mr. Mohney, Brookville Marketing Specialist, and Mr. White, Brookville Director of sales for not only allowing permission for use of these photos, but actually providing a few themselves!
To start off we have something that fits right in with our theme, the Brookville 72 ton DES-70B. A two axle switcher meant for small switching and maintenance applications with a 600 hp prime mover and state of the art electronics controls! (Looking at this makes me think about kit-bashing a RMT Beep!)
Or how about Diesel-Hydraulic!? Available in end cab or center cab configurations and sizes from 45 to 120 tons. If you need high torque / low speed operation in tight corners, with climate controlled cabs for your people, this could be your solution.
Brookville makes passenger loco's too. The BL36PH is an all modern offering with desk style controls. It balances an aerodynamic nose and semi-monocoque frame with total FRA safety compliance. This lighter weight machine has greater forward visibility due to large angled windows and it just looks cool too.
Here's one in Tri-Rail service with matching cars. Nice palm trees!
If you need a modern jack of all trades locomotive, (and who doesn't?), Then you can set yourself up with the Brookville multipurpose BL20GH.
This machine brings you 2250 horsepower with a separate head end power set up. This one serves the Metro North railroad. Its ideal for smaller start up passenger operations and can do whatever locomotive tasks need to be done.
Got an older machine that just needs an overhaul and upgrade - no problem they have that covered too!
And I mentioned CoGeneration. Brookville has modular 700 hp packages to repower existing equipment. You come out with an all modern machine rated at 700, 1400, or 2100 Hp. You meet updated emission standards, and have reduce fuel costs too.
Not to ignore the mining side of the company, they make all kinds of battery and diesel powered mining and tunneling equipment. Some of it also runs off overhead pantograph power. I believe the picture below was during construction of an east side access tunnel somewhere around NYC.
Below is just one example a portfolio of mining locomotives. Many are equipped with the optional jack-walker system so derailed equipment can re-rail itself!
So when your are thinking of switcher locomotives - keep Brookville Equipment Corporation in mind. They are a 100 years young, world class American manufacturer, and were really nice to talk to over the phone too!
So with that said, please share your switcher stories, pictures, videos, memories etc. Have a great weekend everybody, and I look forward to seeing what you have to share.
