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Good morning everyone and welcome to another edition of Switcher Saturday!  Where the definition of Switcher is flexible and the scale doesn't matter! (Think Whose Line is is Anyway,  but for trains!!)

For this morning's kickoff image we have mth PP&L Switcher that must have got detoured through town somehow,  with a cut of Reading anthracite.

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And also this week we have a link to video showing some tank car yard switching in Ontario Canada.

The video is sped up making it a fun two minute watch.

If you aren't familiar with Switcher Saturday,  this is a weekly thread celebrating the smaller locomotives that do the big work of railroading. From modern high tech Switchers to ancient steamers and everything in between.  All scales and gauges are always welcome.

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Good morning JHZ563 and Happy SWSAT. PPL 2102 is a nice-looking switcher...

My model of Boston & Maine GP-7 #1563 was made by MTH Premier (20-2211-1). It appeared in the 1999 Volume 3 Catalog at an MSRP of $299.95 and was delivered in December 1999. This was one of the first B&M locomotive models that I purchased – at just about the time I got my 12’-by-8’ layout up and running – and it has been one of my favorites ever since, although it’s not quite as detailed as current MTH GP-7s and GP-9s. I used to run it often but in recent years it’s been run less frequently because I now have newer B&M models.

I hadn’t run #1563, a PS1 model, for at least two years – maybe longer – and its 9-volt NiMH battery was probably ten years old, so I needed to install a BCR before running it again. Aside from removing the shell, extracting the battery required loosening the internal electronic components which are secured by four small screws from the underside of the metal chassis. I prefer not to disturb locomotive electronics but it couldn’t be avoided in this case. With the BCR, the sounds began when approximately 6 volts were applied to the track. It was a little sluggish starting to move, but a slight push and it was off and running. It loosened-up quickly and ran well at low speeds. I find MTH models with PS1 to be very durable and trouble-free.

Boston & Maine #1563 was built in February 1952, one of the second group of GP-7s (#1563 to #1571) purchased by the railroad. It had 1500 horsepower and was set up to run short hood forward. B&M GP-7s did not have dynamic brakes but they did have an extended compartment at the rear of the long hood that housed train lighting equipment for commuter service. The generic MTH B&M GP-7 model incorrectly includes dynamic brake blisters atop the long hood but doesn’t have the extended electrical compartment. B&M #1563 also had a steam generator within the short hood for train heating. This is represented on the MTH model by the steam generator stack atop the short hood.

As Budd RDC Railcars replaced diesel locomotives in commuter service on the B&M, MU equipment was added to #1563 and it was transferred to freight service. So, this model of a medium-sized diesel locomotive is a good fit for passenger or freight trains on my 10’-by-5’ single-track New England branch line model railroad.

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 that ran between 275 and 800 RPM. Their weight was 246,000 pounds and maximum speed was 65 miles-per-hour. Continuous tractive effort was 40,000 pounds at 9.3 miles-per-hour and 65,000 pounds for starting. The B&M had 23 GP-7s.

MELGAR

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MELGAR_2022_0618_02_B&M_GP7_1563_BCRMELGAR_2022_0618_03_B&M_GP7_1563_BCRMELGAR_2022_0618_04_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_TRESTLEMELGAR_2022_0618_05_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_TRESTLEMELGAR_2022_0618_08_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_SS71MELGAR_2022_0618_10_B&M_GP7_563_10X5_BRIDGEMELGAR_2022_0618_16_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_CROSS_STREETMELGAR_2022_0618_19_B&M_CABOOSE_433_10X5_STATION

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  • MELGAR_2022_0618_04_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_TRESTLE
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MELGAR_2022_0618_27V_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_SOUTH_SLOW_30S
MELGAR_2022_0618_28V_B&M_GP7_1563_10X5_SOUTHEAST_20S
Last edited by MELGAR

Happy switcher Sat everyone. And now for something completely different - a subway level NW-2 switcher running under my layout.  I took these vids yesterday while under the layout  replacing atlas switch track wire on the outer loop with a thicker gauge (they work much better with thicker wire). Call me crazy, but I like to run some trains, if possible, when performing maintenance tasks.  



Great photos so far. love the colors of those engines, JHZ and Melgar. Congrats to the kid on graduation, Bob! Tom, really nice and realistic slow speed action, as usual.

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Last edited by Strap Hanger

Good morning fellow switcher fans!!  Thanks JHZ563 for notching out the throttle and getting us rolling this morning!   As usual you guys have terrific info, photos and videos posted already this morning!  I learn so much from this thread by reading your info seeing your photos and videos .... thank you all   May you all have a terrifically fun weekend!!

Today Free State Junction Railway company photographer, I.C. Thrulenz, shares his portfolio entitled " It's All About the A5".  

I.C. shot this photo from the top steps of the switch tower as he captured the A 5 just having pulled away from the coaling tower as it's coal bunker runneth over.  Conductor Ike Croutch and hogger Max Cundy chat on the ground as fireman Hokie Joe Barns keeps a sharp eye on the gauges.  AECB29A9-1ED2-457F-AAB1-584E5AF09D0C

I.C. used a special lens to make the A5 look larger than life in this photo.  I.C. loves the A5 and in his mind the A5 is larger than life!   What can I say ... I.C. is an artiste!!  9B827002-D009-4D10-BED2-4C75BAD88401

Rounding the bend and crossing the grade at Patsburg Ave. 3A5E7C28-9442-4DFE-AFCC-1A53948658D7

An Sw 9 and GP9 frame the A5 on the far track.  Brakeman Hank Lyons thought this shot was to be of him but, little did he know, I.C. had is lens focused on none other than the A5. 37333549-3E6F-44A8-BDC3-59C7CBF8B540

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Well here today is the Lionel Burlington GP-7 road switcher.  First picture is her doing what is normal, moving a small train up out of the depot and up the main line.  Easy transition from yard to main was the forte of the road switcher or "GP" (general purpose) in EMD's lexicon.

Lionel Burlington Road Switcher

Here she is on assignment with a small mid-day local passenger train likely a "fill in" for the commuter services from "Small Town" into Savannah for the Saturday shoppers.  Of course she has to wait for the interurban to move through as it has trackage rights into the depot to pick up its passengers but it will soon be on its way and no problem.  This mode of transport does end up in the same place as the L&S mid-day train but it makes far more stops and takes considerably longer in route.

Lionel Burlington Switcher plus trolleyHere

Here is a short video of her in action.

Best wishes for a Saturday.  RSJB18 -CONGRATULATIONS to your son on his HS graduation, a real life milestone for sure!

Don

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  • Lionel Burlington Switcher plus trolley
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Lionel BN GP-7 road switcher

Well here today is the Lionel Burlington GP-7 road switcher.  First picture is her doing what is normal, moving a small train up out of the depot and up the main line.  Easy transition from yard to main was the forte of the road switcher or "GP" (general purpose) in EMD's lexicon.

Lionel Burlington Road Switcher

Here she is on assignment with a small mid-day local passenger train likely a "fill in" for the commuter services from "Small Town" into Savannah for the Saturday shoppers.  Of course she has to wait for the interurban to move through as it has trackage rights into the depot to pick up its passengers but it will soon be on its way and no problem.  This mode of transport does end up in the same place as the L&S mid-day train but it makes far more stops and takes considerably longer in route.

Lionel Burlington Switcher plus trolleyHere

Here is a short video of her in action.

Best wishes for a Saturday.  RSJB18 -CONGRATULATIONS to your son on his HS graduation, a real life milestone for sure!

Don

That Geep is in very good condition! Nice, Mark

TALES OF THE DOCKSIDER

This has not been the best day for plucky shop switcher X-8688 and her crew, engineer Joe Safetyvalvoni, fireman Vasik Semaphorowski and brakeman Mick O’Depot.  The Docksider was bringing a string of empty hoppers from the power station, when an unknown malady caused her to lose steam pressure and stall.

The crew didn’t think the day could get worse, being proud of having one of the cleanest and most reliable engines in the roundhouse.  Then they ended up being totally humiliated when the Yardmaster sent a blankin DIESEL, NYC Beep no. 5903, to pull the train in!

X-8688s crew wanted hide in shame.  They are totally convinced of the superiority of steam, vowing to have nothing to do with the new fangled, foul smelling machines.  The crew’s fellow railroaders wonder if the crew will resign rather than submit to operating diesels.  Your Yardmaster thinks their fate is sealed!

Many great posts today, SwSat faithful!

John

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@Steam Crazy posted:

TALES OF THE DOCKSIDER

This has not been the best day for plucky shop switcher X-8688 and her crew, engineer Joe Safetyvalvoni, fireman Vasik Semaphorowski and brakeman Mick O’Depot.  The Docksider was bringing a string of empty hoppers from the power station, when an unknown malady caused her to lose steam pressure and stall.

John

Joe Safetyvalvoni? Vasik semaphorowski? Mick O'Depot?

I love it! Priceless! Bravo!

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