Top of the afternoon to fellow switcher fans! My hope is that you are ALL well and safe .... and enjoying your trains immensely! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!
Today I want to focus on one type of switcher and call my post " The Adventures of a B&O GP9." If I had to only keep one locomotive, that locomotive would be the venerable GP9. Why? ... Because of it's immense flexibility. After all GP stands for general purpose. The GP9 can be used anywhere the railroad so chooses ... way freight, long haul road freight, yard duty, MOW duty, local and long distance passenger trains. You name the task and the GP9 can do it. ( So could a GP7, however, the GP 9 has 250 more hp)
Today I feature photos of my MTH Railking passenger equipped ( hence the air tanks on the roof to make room for the water tank to fuel the steam generator) GP9 and Williams dummy GP9. In some photos/video other switchers are included as well . I close this post with a video of the GP9 running at near top speed with a mail train.
YESTERDAY MORNING around 7:30 a.m. seen here at Patsburg Ave. grade crossing pulling a transfer freight out of the yard and onto the main.
Last year ... at same location with an ALCO B unit for extra power.
Blasting out of " Big Rock Tunnel" with westbound " Merchants Limited" as Alco RS 1 observes from adjacent track.
Two GP 9's on the service track as "Mr. Bo" keeps an eye on the entire operation.
Dual GP9s pulls a long coal train as Y6b says " Hey, that's my job!"
On the service track topped off with fuel, sand and ready for next assignment.
Taking a break at the engine terminal.
Doing some switching around Patburg.
GP 9 with it's B&O wagon top caboose.
GP 9 in action heading east with a B&O mail train.
Again have a wonderful, safe, and healthy weekend!!