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Hello fellow switcher fans and welcome to Switcher Saturday April 6 , 2024 Edition!!    It's an honor to welcome you aboard  If you love those little locomotives that do big things, serving as the backbone of any railroad, then you are in the right place.  Switcher Saturday welcomes all gauges/scales  from N - G and 1:1 gauge/scale too.

I hope that any of you who were affected by the earthquake here on the east coast, are personallly unharmed and your property is undamaged.   I was in Baltimore at the time of the quake and felt nothing shaking or rumbling while folks in other parts of the city and surrounding areas did feel & hear something.  

For me personally, this week has been back to busy - ness as usual after being on spring break last week leading up to Easter ... no  teaching ( entertained company ) and only one gig.  This week, I did get some time in to work on my layout , however due to sections of the layout being torn up, I didn't have time to take new photos for  this week's  SwSat ...  So I've dug into my photo archives.  Next week I should have new photos up and ready.

Remember for posting here on SwSat there are two rules:

1.  Be nice, have fun, and enjoy yourself!

2. Post only photos that you have taken.  

Posting copy written photos is an infringement upon copyright law.  If you do post a copy written photo, make sure you have the express written permission of the photo's owner.   Anyone posting copy written photos/content, without obtaining consent of the photo's owner,  is subject to legal action, and a possible hefty fine, plus  having OGR Forum privileges suspended permanently.   Please read the OGR Forum TOS ( Terms of Service ) to learn more about OGR copyright policy.  

Please post your photos, videos, and information regarding switchers.  It's always exciting to see what everyone posts each week!  As always, I can't wait to see what content you all post this week too!  We learn so much from one another !  

I hope everyone will have a terrific weekend and that you get some train running time in and when you do ... may that time include running your switchers!  Have a wonderful week!   Green signals to all!!

I've loved the ALCO RS type locomotive ever since I saw my first RS type locomotive, by Lionel, back in the late 1950s.  I believe it was a RS 3  and my eyes could not get enough of this engine!  I saw it in a department store in Baltimore and then, of course in the Lionel catalogue.  It came to be that the RS 1 has become my favorite of all the early ALCO RS type locomotives, due to the overhanging cab roof.  None of the other early RS locomotives had this feature.  IMHO the roof overhang bestows a certain character and charm unto the RS1.  

Here is Washington Terminal Co. RS 1 number 63 doing some switching on the Free State Junction Railway.   Here we see the crew on a morning break ... hogger Sully Braxton stretches his legs on the ground, brakeman Jake "The Break" Willis and conductor C.J. Beardsley stand on the engine's deck.  An apprentice brakeman, Flip Wiggins,  is on the ground practicing his hand signals.  A non crew member drags a pallet.

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This is my only Atlas O engine.  It's equipped with TMCC and has great sound.  IMG_3556

Flip giving hand signals to Sully who is now in the locomotive's cab. IMG_3562

The gondola of ties has been set out for the MOW crew.  IMG_3563

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Boston & Maine GP7 #1563 is an MTH Premier model (20-2211-1) with PS1 delivered in December 1999 at an MSRP of $299.95. The model has a BCR and has been trouble-free through almost 25 years of operation.

The MTH model is generic and represents an engine with dynamic brakes, which the B&M locomotive did not have. #1563 was built in February 1951 and was one of 23 EMD GP7s purchased by the B&M between 1950 and ’53. It was equipped for commuter service with a steam generator under the short hood and a train lighting generator under the end of the long hood. #1563 was transferred to freight service after Budd Rail Diesel Cars replaced GP7s on B&M passenger trains. An online photograph shows the locomotive still in service in 1990.

General Motors Electro-Motive Division produced 2,729 GP-7s between October 1949 and May 1954. They were powered by an EMD 567B V16 2-stroke diesel engine with 1500 horsepower that ran at rotational speeds from 275 to 800 RPM. Their weight was 246,000 pounds with a maximum speed of 65 miles-per-hour. Starting tractive effort was 65,000 pounds with a continuous rating of 40,000 pounds at 9.3 miles-per-hour.

Photos/videos show B&M #1563 on my 12’-by-8’ layout. Boston & Maine F2 #4257 (model by Atlas O in 2006) also appears in the second video.

MELGAR

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Howdy! I’ll be away in the morning visiting my grandson, so jumping in tonight. Here are my three latest acquisitions: a beautiful EX+ Lionel Postwar #621 CNJ Nw2, a new TCA offering of the #6464-515 NYC boxcar as cataloged in the 1957 Girl’s Set (actual production had a yellow door), and a very nice 6419-100 N&W Work Caboose (kinda rare). Lovin’ it. I’ll catch up with the forum tomorrow afternoon. See ya then. IMG_3777IMG_3779IMG_3781

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Melgar, your gorgeous maroon and yellow Boston & Maine diesel switcher in your above photos and videos inspired me to run, in the wee hours of this morning, my black and blue (it's not bruised at all, LOL) MTH PS3 Boston & Maine diesel switcher and post a series of videos showing it hauling a rainbow of New England box cars.

Here is the 1st video:

Arnold

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Good morning, SwSat fans, from snowy Central MA.  My inspiration today comes from MELGAR and his admiration of the New Haven RR, although he has chosen to feature B&M today.

I was going to shoot some new photos and videos, but I liked what I found in the archives.  NH Alco RS3 no. 538 and EMD GP9 no. 1205 are the featured switchers.  No. 538 was the first modern era diesel locomotive I purchased, in 2002 or 2003.  It’s equipped with MTH’s infamous 5 volt PS2 system, but still runs well today with the addition of a BCR.

John

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Happy SWSat!

I hope that everyone here in the Northeast isn't "all shook up". The earthquake yesterday was a shock! (you may groan now......) Hope no one had any damage and that all your trains stayed on the rails and shelves.

I'll keep the ALCO-fest going today. I'm with Patrick regarding the RS1. The roof overhangs give it a very distinctive look that ALCO should have kept on future versions.

The ALCO RS-1 was a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by Alco-GE between 1941 and 1953 and the American Locomotive Company from 1953 to 1960. ALCO subsidiary Montreal Locomotive Works built an additional three RS-1s in 1954. This model has the distinction of having the longest production run of any diesel locomotive for the North American market. The RS-1 was in production for 19 years from the first unit Rock Island #748 in March 1941 to the last unit National of Mexico #5663 in March 1960.

I have 3 models of the ALCO RS1.

LIRR # 462 is a MTH model with PS3. This engine was a Trainworld exclusive that happened to be the last run from MTH before Mike announced that he was breaking up the company. As we had discussed a few weeks ago, mine is in Pennsy's DGLE (Dark Green Locomotive Enamel).

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New Haven #0661 is also from MTH with 3v PS2.Purchased this one from a Forum member.

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My 3rd is another LIRR model from Atlas O with TMCC. I bought this one from Trainz. The LIRR did have the prototypes of both 461 and 462 and in these paint schemes.

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Here's a short video of the great sound set in my PS3 model.

The days of hiding in the basement on the weekend are coming to an end, time to get the lawn and gardens cleaned up for the season......

Have a great weekend!

Bob

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Morning Switcher Saturday fans another great start trumptrain, showing my PW Lionel SW2 switchers, God Speed!

A.T.& S.F. 622 from 1949-50 with both axles having magnetraction headlights at both ends and a bell system, this was a 60.00 buck find runs great and quiet, needs stack and bell on shell easy fix by traintender.

PW Lionel 624 C & O from 1952-54 had magnetraction for both axles, headlights at front and rear no bell or horn system this 624 has 10 handrail stanchions its sister has 3 stanchions, this was another 60.00 buck find smooth runner also.

PW Lionel 610 Erie from 1955 this is the stamped out frame came with no headlights I did add a led to the front and bayo type in cab area along with seats and engineer. Many came with single magnetraction axle this 610 has both axle with magnetraction, it does come with a gold bell, no bell or horn system. Frame was in bad shape so I stripped the frame, primed and painted satin black. Another under 60.00 buck find, had to rebuild Eunit runs great did degrease 3 times to the motor truck.

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Perer and I have something in common. Here's my MTH Premier PS3 NY Ontario & Western 44 ton center cab diesel switcher:

I'm looking forward to meeting you again, Peter, at York in about 13 days. Thanks for recommending JT Mega Steam smoke fluid, which you did in October 2022. I love the Cut Grass and Vanilla scents. Arnold

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Last edited by Arnold D. Cribari

This year was a lousy year for skiers as there was very little snow.  Any snow that did fall quickly melted due to rain and high temperatures.  One person that was happy about the lack of snow was the MoW foreman.  His crews had no problem keeping the mains clear all winter and he expects a big bonus for it.  Seeing that the warm weather is going to continue, he tasked his ES10 crew to move the plows into storage.

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The EMD Switched 1000hp (NW2) is Lionel, plows are MTH.  Need to repaint the yellow one either black or gray to match my era, just need to find PRR MoW decals.

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@CAPPilot posted:

This year was a lousy year for skiers as there was very little snow.  Any snow that did fall quickly melted due to rain and high temperatures.  One person that was happy about the lack of snow was the MoW foreman.  His crews had no problem keeping the mains clear all winter and he expects a big bonus for it.  Seeing that the warm weather is going to continue, he tasked his ES10 crew to move the plows into storage.

The EMD Switched 1000hp (NW2) is Lionel, plows are MTH.  Need to repaint the yellow one either black or gray to match my era, just need to find PRR MoW decals.

Ron, would this help?  k4decals

Pennsylvania Railroad PRR MOW Maintenance Of Way Cars Black - Decal - Choose Scale



Gene





@pennsyfan posted:

Brown just dropped this off. A new MA&PA  Beep custom made for MA&PA Junction. My first piece of MA&PA equipment.
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Bob - That's a fine looking little switcher of the Ma & Pa variety!!  Congrats and Welcome to the Ma&PA club!!  Did you get that from the Bay?  I had my eye on one that was on the Bay recently :-)  Ma & Pa Junction was a great entity.  I bought several engines from Marty Baurersox when he owned the business.  

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Bob - That's a fine looking little switcher of the Ma & Pa variety!!  Congrats and Welcome to the Ma&PA club!!  Did you get that from the Bay?  I had my eye on one that was on the Bay recently :-)  Ma & Pa Junction was a great entity.  I bought several engines from Marty Baurersox when he owned the business.  

Thanks Pat, yes from the bay; I made an offer and he accepted.

Well, here I am, late again! Thanks to Patrick for starting us off with homage to WATC, the essential servicer of Union Station in our nation's capital. Inspired by @Putnam Division's post last week, I've put my Tropicana-liveried WbB 70-tonner to work pulling my two RK Tropicana 027 50-footers and ALL of my auto-themed boxcars:

I'd love to have the fleet of Tropicana cars Peter has to pull a "real" OJ train this long, but "bookending" all of my favorite "car" cars with my two Tropicana cars was fun, too! While she had a few troubles I had to work out when I first got her 18 months ago, this little lady is easily my favorite switcher now!

Also, my sincere condolences go out to @leapinlarry on the loss of your dear friends. Perhaps you can take comfort that that loss might only be a separation for a short time in the span of eternity.

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@Bill Swatos posted:

Well, here I am, late again! Thanks to Patrick for starting us off with homage to WATC, the essential servicer of Union Station in our nation's capital. Inspired by @Putnam Division's post last week, I've put my Tropicana-liveried WbB 70-tonner to work pulling my two RK Tropicana 027 50-footers and ALL of my auto-themed boxcars:



I'd love to have the fleet of Tropicana cars Peter has to pull a "real" OJ train this long, but "bookending" all of my favorite "car" cars with my two Tropicana cars was fun, too! While she had a few troubles I had to work out when I first got her 18 months ago, this little lady is easily my favorite switcher now!



Sometimes after the juice Train, A New York Central switcher pulls the Screwdriver Express……

Peter.     

For safety, the Vodka was dumped into a larger Smirnoff bottle, replaced with tap water and the bottles “sealed” with CA glue. Then, when all the bottles were prepared, the gondola was filled with about a 1/4” of CA glue and the bottles placed inside.

Peter

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@pennsyfan posted:

Brown just dropped this off. A new MA&PA  Beep custom made for MA&PA Junction. My first piece of MA&PA equipment.
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Sharp BEEP Bob. Is it command equipped or just have a horn?

Sometimes after the juice Train, A New York Central switcher pulls the Screwdriver Express……



Peter.     

For safety, the Vodka was dumped into a larger Smirnoff bottle, replaced with tap water and the bottles “sealed” with CA glue. Then, when all the bottles were prepared, the gondola was filled with about a 1/4” of CA glue and the bottles placed inside.

Peter

DARN! I was hoping you had a rolling bar like the LIRR and MN used to have on the afternoon trains....

Bob

Well I am a day late, but Saturday just flew past and I missed posting.  Here is an unusual one for me...its a Marklin On3 switcher.  Runs on HO scale track (which for Marklin is 3 rail ) but the engine / rolling stock is O scale.  The "ballasted" track in the picture is Marking and what came with the set.  Not sure if Marklin makes these trains anymore, I bought this one ages ago and have not seen much since.

Marklin Minex Switch Engine close up frontMarkliln Minex Switch Engine and Gondola

Best Wishes

Don

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@pennsyfan posted:

Thanks, just the horn I think the only switch is direction on or off.

@RSJB18 OK Bob were you jazzing me?

Does anyone here speak BEEP?

I just received another BEEP, used and weathered; seller stated perfect running condition. When I tested it, there was no horn. I put the MA&PA back on the track; no horn. I remembered answering Bob,  just a horn. I paged back to my post and played the video; and thought, that sounds like the GG1 horn. I often leave a train at the back of the layout and do short displays on the front. If the ones in back are command equipped it’s not a problem. I tried to get the G horn to blow. With just track power on; got nothing. Then I hit start up waited a minute a hit shut down. I heard it shut down but didn’t power down the track. I hit the horn again and it blew. I managed to duplicate it one time. So the horn you heard was the GG1 not the MA&PA BEEP.

QUESTION, do any BEEPS have horns?

Question 2  when I turned the new engine over there are two pin connectors hanging out the hole by the coupler on both ends.MA&PA doesn’t have them. I turned over my NAVY BEEP and that has them. What are they for?

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