Switcher Saturday: 2017-Nov-18

Yay! SWSat is On!

Yesterday the 6 story building at the end of my block went up in flames. A four alarm fire with at least 200 firefighters on it. It burned for at least 6 hours and the smoke chased us out of our apartment ( even with the windows closed) to the inlaws. 

So I am posting today from there with no model pics just things in my phones memory. I like this Reading Baldwin with a welded instead of cast frame.

Here is a Lowville and Beaver River 44tonner

Last up with my mind on disasters are pics I found of a narrow gauge Vulcan 0-4-0T at the bottom of a lake in Ontario.  It seems to have been left parked on the tracks while the dam flooded the valley. 

My Family and I are OK and will survive some smoke smell in the Apt. 

Have a great SWSat and Thanksgiving.

I can't wait to see what you guys post. 

Hey @Silver Lake - I'm glad you guys are OK, I hope the people who live in that building are too.  Neat pictures as well! Best...Rich

Happy SWSat Everyone!

Rich- pretty cool that you found a club close to the new house. Must be awesome to run your stuff on a big layout. Looks like your daughter is having fun too. This thread is great. Glad you started it and have kept it going for so long.

Andy- I saw the coverage of that fire last night on the local news. WOW . Looks like it started in the space just below the roof and spread very quickly. Glad to hear you and the family are OK.

Locally the RSJ&B took delivery of another new (well slightly used) switcher yesterday. Its a MTH 0-4-0 Little Joe tank engine. They were built for the B&O and worked the waterfront in the early 1900's.

The C-16 class switchers were the last 0-4-0 steam locomotives built for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. They were assigned to the Baltimore, Maryland "Pratt Street Line" along the Inner Harbor, and to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania waterfront trackage. Initially constructed as saddle tank engines, nos. 96 and 99 were given tenders in later years. After the saddle tank was removed in 1926 they were then given the classification of "C-16A" (Nos. 97 and 98 remained unchanged.) The diminutive size and short wheelbase were required to handle the tight curves of these lines. No. 99 was scrapped in 1944. No. 97 was renumbered 897 in 1950 and scrapped in 1951. No. 98 was renumbered 898 in 1950 and also scrapped in 1951 (courtesy of wikipedia)

I'm going to add B&O lettering to the tank similar to the prototype.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Bob

Raw video of the fire.

http://abc7ny.com/disasters-ac...r-manhattan/2663531/

RSJB18 posted:

Raw video of the fire.

http://abc7ny.com/disasters-ac...r-manhattan/2663531/

Thank you for the good wishes. My Family and home are fine and that is all that matters. That building had just this week been condemned by the city and the people who lived there were I. Process of moving out. So yes I would say it was suspect. The neighborhood is undergoing very rapid gentrification. There will be a 16 story monster replacing this soon no doubt. 

Trainwise interestingly this  building was built by speculators at the original terminus of the subway. When the subway opened it went from 145 to city hall. It opened the same year. Also under Broadway here there is the one completely underground yard  in the system with 6 tracks that can hold 12 full trains.

You can see my co-op in some of those shots. 

I went back to our place and am airing it out. Our neighbors didn't fare as well. 

Here is my K-Lionel MP15. Waiting for an assignment. 

I don't have any new pictures, so I thought I'd post this one again. 

It is 1948.  A yard crew is checking out the brand new 44 tonner while a B28 sits on an empty classification track. Most of the PRR's steam switchers were already gone, replaced by Baldwin BS6 and BS10 diesels, and EMD ES6 and ES10 diesels.  Some B28 switchers, as well as a few B6sb and B6sa engines, made it to the end of PRR steam.  The sad part is only two B6 engines survive today.

The B28 is AtlasO and the 44 tonner is WbB.

Rich, Great photographs of your daughter, Boo, running trains at the Rappahannock Model Railroaders!!  We lived in the Fredericksburg area from 1985 to 1993.  I have seen on their web site, that a group was meeting at that time, but I was unaware then.  I sure wish I was close to a club like that now!!

I think I have neglected to post my latest, though I bought it from Pat's Trains in Wheeling in August.  It is an MTH Premier PS-3.

Silver glad all is well with you, fire can be devastating.

Housatonic Railroad GP-35M #3602 at New Milford, Connecticut - May 13, 2017.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

MELGAR

          COOL  !!  I like the black with flames !

This week, my Canadian National 44 ton switcher is pushing some CN ore cars around on the O&UP.  I just bought it a few weeks ago after seeing other 44 ton switchers posted on SWSat.  I have always wanted one, the price was right and they are great little pullers & pushers!

Phil in Ohio

Happy Switcher Saturday & Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Some extra thoughts...

Andy/SILVERLAKE- Glad you and your family were not injured. I'll email you off the list.

MELGAR- Interesting. I used to live in Milford many years ago.

RSJB18- I would not mind owning a B&O Dockside some day. 

Any and all in the NY area...I'll be at the White Plains Toy & Train Show on Sunday, December 10th if you want to stop by and say hello (my table is usually towards right/center as you walk in).

Here is a shot of 5244 crossing Evergreen Road in New Egypt, NJ in its final years. #5244 was the last active PRR steam locomotive, bringing down the curtain on the vast Pennsylvania Railroad steam program. At the time, it worked under lease to Union Transportation. 

Tom 

"Any and all in the NY area...I'll be at the White Plains Toy & Train Show on Sunday, December 10th if you want to stop by and say hello (my table is usually towards right/center as you walk in)."

that's one I'd like to go to just to see you're smiling face! But a tad far.

Dave, for you, I would even let you run my table in exchange for the keys to that Road Runner! Beep beep! 

Tom 

Here is older video of my lionel chessie alco S4 engine pulling grain train.

Here's my favorite switcher waiting on the gondola to be filled.

Hello fellow switcher friends  

Andy so glad you and your family are safe.

Rich - Boo looks likes she's having a great time   Glad to hear you two have found a club to hang out and run trains!!

RSJB - nothing says switcher like a Docksider 

I'm also grateful for this Saturday ritual of SWSAT.   I learn so much from all the pics and info.  Thanks Rich for getting us up an rolling each week  Thanks to all of you who share your photos, information, and enthusiasm for switchers and the hobby

This week I first have comparison shots of my Patapsco and Back Rivers VO1000 and a real PBR VO 1000 which is at the B and O Museum in Baltimore.  Next I have some shots taken of my WM BL2 and its crew as they wait to pull a WM baggage car from the team track.  Have a wonderfully creative and fun week .... AND have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Yep, love the old BL-2!

Cold, rainy miserable night. Good time to run trains. My Lionel gray GP9 on point tonight. 

Nothing new today, had to work. Fortunately President Business is still happy with me.

Years ago Kodak ran compressed air

switchers.  I never heard of such a thing.

Ready to go anytime.  No firing boilers.  That's what I was told.

But the stack and steam domes on #4 ???  Or are they sand domes ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireless_locomotive

Here is another compressed air switcher, this one built by Porter for a Canadian business.

Tom 

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

Great stuff everyone.

Tom and Patrick- Agreed- nothing like a tank engine! I've been looking for one for a while and got lucky on the auction.

Thanks, Bob

You guys rock!

Thanks again to everyone for posting, really good stuff this week.

Different topic:  anyone remember if anyone posted any "pix of Claremont GE44 tonners, some in street service"?  I've got a fellow forum member asking for the link and I can't recall them.

Have a great Thanksgiving and see you next week...Rich

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

Pat, I agree the WM livery is an uninteresting one.  The demonstrator livery on the new one shows that EMD used the curved lines of the engine to advantage with it's livery.  Here is a teaser.

briansilvermustang posted:

Once again, leave it to Brian to have a photograph!!  Excellent choice, Brian!

Mark Boyce posted:

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

Pat, I agree the WM livery is an uninteresting one.  The demonstrator livery on the new one shows that EMD used the curved lines of the engine to advantage with it's livery.  Here is a teaser.

Wow!! Double headed Bl2 !! Very nice 

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

I have always loved the BL2. My first “good” model was the first release HO scale Lifelike C&O BL2 circa 1992. 

A favorite railroad of mine currently is the Saratoga North Creek which has two BL2s.

Here is my BBW B&M BL2.

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

Pat, I agree the WM livery is an uninteresting one.  The demonstrator livery on the new one shows that EMD used the curved lines of the engine to advantage with it's livery.  Here is a teaser.

Wow!! Double headed Bl2 !! Very nice 

Pretty good teaser, huh?  

Silver Lake, you certainly are a BL-2 fan!!

Mark Boyce posted:

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

Pat, I agree the WM livery is an uninteresting one.  The demonstrator livery on the new one shows that EMD used the curved lines of the engine to advantage with it's livery.  Here is a teaser.

Technically the demonstrator was a BL-1 until it was sold and upgraded to BL-2.

Mark, thanks so much for pointing me to this item.

Ron

Thank you for the photographs Ron!

Silver Lake posted:

I like this Reading Baldwin with a welded instead of cast frame.

 

Good heavens!  Now, that looks like a frame that could survive a lifetime of rough coupling.

Mark Boyce posted:

trumptrain posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Everyone, Great photographs!!

Pat, The WM BL-2 looks great!  I guess I will have to get some photographs of mine ready for next week!!

Hey Mark - thanks so much!!  I love BL-2 locomotives!  Some folks find them to be ugly which is fine, however, I find them to be a uniquely interesting design and enjoy looking at them.  Oddly enough I find WM BL-2 to be the most un- interesting livery.  All the other roads whom EMD build these locomotives for have much more interesting liveries ( IMHO ) which brings out the the beauty of the BL2s design features more prominently.  One day I hope to acquire a BL2 EMD demonstrator for my railroad

Yes by all means show us some photos of your BL2 or BL2s!  I would love to see them!

Pat, I agree the WM livery is an uninteresting one.  The demonstrator livery on the new one shows that EMD used the curved lines of the engine to advantage with it's livery.  Here is a teaser.

Just joined the club!

Bob

@RSJB18 - that's hysterical!    Now I have to get one!

Murnane posted:

@RSJB18 - that's hysterical!    Now I have to get one!

Thanks Rich