Yay! SWSat is on!
Melgar I used to watch those PW GP40s switch paper cars to the Providence Journal newspaper plant on Harris Ave when I was walking to collage from my apartment so I think of them as switchers even while they were making me late to class. Congratulations on your article in the Magazine! Love that Narragansett Reefer you snuck onto the cover.
This week I opened a nice package from Germany. It definitely fits the switcher category and is a Steam Dummy. These were popular in Urban areas from the 1870’s through the turn of the century. In Europe they were usually called Trams. These were small steam engines with full passenger or trolley bodies wrapped around the boilers. They usually also had skirting covering the wheels and drive mechanisim with the idea that this would not scare horses.
The New York Elevated RR used these a lot and many went on to work as contractor engines, mining and logging. The New York Central had a few Dummy Bodied Shays that they used on 9th Ave to work from 33st to John St Terminal before the High Line went in.
Mine I think is a German prototype but I have not been able to find an exact match. I gave it a bit of a shake down run at the 2 rail Oscale NYSME layout. Here it is sharing yard duties with a Yoder 44 tonner.
I have always really liked the looks of these little guys.I am happy I was finally able to find one . Although it is geared low and slow it is probably one of my fastest engines. It made it from Germany to my home in 2.5 days.
Have a great Weekend I can’t wait to see what you guys post.
