Happy Birthday SWSAT !!

Patrick Jean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00VdxDv89Ew

Happy 3rd Anniversary

0-4-0 steam engines are about as switcher-like as can be. So, in honor of the third anniversary of Switcher Saturday, with thanks to Rich Murnane for having created and faithfully sustained this enjoyable weekly dialogue, I offer two 0-4-0 steam switchers for today. New York Central #901 and Long Island Railroad #3906 are MTH Premier models. Note that NYC #901 has a conventional firebox while LIRR #3906 has the Belpaire firebox typical of most 20^th Century PRR locomotives. Why? Because the PRR purchased a controlling interest in the LIRR in 1900 and owned it until selling it to the State of New York in 1966. The NYC and LIRR were my hometown railroads until I grew up and left for New England.

MELGAR

you guys are awesome, I'm going offline for a while but will check back later!

p.s. @MELGAR - I didn't realize  you were a native LI guy, I grew up in the Oyster Bay area, so the LIRR and I spent lots of time together!

Rusty

Happy Switcher Saturday everyone and Happy 3-Year Anniversary! 

I've enjoyed all of the posts that we've had and especially when I get to fill in for Rich. 

I noticed this in the newspaper today, announcing Rich's accomplishment and showing no visible scars! 

I'll post one of my favorites from my prior layout, as my #228 rests against my "coal bumper" made from genuine coal found on the Putnam Division of The New York Central. 

Tom 

Mornin' and HAPPY SWSAT!

Happy 3rd Anniversary! Rich- you have done an amazing job keeping the flame alive for 3 years now. Gotta give Tom @PRR8976 an honorary mention for the occasional pinch hitting duty as well. Keep up the good work Guys!

Today is my second time as as part of the anniversary celebration. I joined the forum in November of '16 and found you bunch of switcher-crazy guys shortly after.

Here's my first post and a warm welcome from everyone. I don't think I've missed a week since.

Since joining I've added quite a few switchers to my fleet, from a post war NW-2 to a modern 0-6-0 tank, and a bunch more in between,  and enjoy sharing all of them with you guys.

Everyone have a great weekend. I think I will have to pour a glass of single-malt later (I know it's 5:00 somewhere but it's still 7:45 here), and watch some switchers run around my layout.

Since Rich and @MELGAR grew up here on LI I will post my LIRR equipment today with a shout out to the PRR.

Bob

No photo offerings from me this week but happy 3rd birthday for switcher Saturday and all the great photos shared I enjoy. Hope to contribute next Saturday. Love the MA & PA

Happy switcher Saturday day anniversary!  Nothing new this morning, but I did get a call the 0-6-0 docksider is revived and on it’s way back - yeah!!

Here’s on from phone just for good measure 

kid tax-

Lionel Postwar B&O 626 Center Cab Diesel

Happy 3rd Anniversary.....Congrats, Rich!

Workin' the yard....

Peter

Knucklehead? I resemble that remark.

Happy Anniversary Rich and thanks for starting this Three Years ago.

Here's a group shot of my four switchers

my first, 1615

my Prewar 1662

this was a beat  up 1615 I found on Craigslist, that with the help of MNCW and Dennis Holler I transformed it into a more realistic B6

and the latest, a 1656. Kinda dragging my feet a little on this one...might do a few mods on it too.

Thank you for starting this thread Rich, It's been one of my favorites over the last couple of years!

Yay! SWSat is flipped to the “on”position!

Three years out and still going! I really do enjoy this little group that we all made here every weekend. I have met some good people here and enjoy posting weekly. I missed maybe the first month or two but have been posting with one exception every week since. Congratulations and thanks Rich.

In my switcher collection I don't have a 0-3-0. I think that is probably good so instead this post has some of the oldest images I still have that I posted to the SWSat archives. 

First up a model I remember from my youth that used to be in the Hall of Transportation at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. This model was one of the first times I saw O scale 2 rail models. I have always really loved this Diorama and was really happy to find that it has survived. It used to be about 15 feet in front of the big green Southern PS4 Pacific. It disappeared in the Hall Renovation 20 years ago. I was happy to find that it (like me) has moved to New York City and now is in the MTA museum in Brooklyn. The model has two 0-4-4F Forneys running on the 3rd Ave Elevated.

These Forneys were small switcher style model I would love to have in my collection. After the El was electrified thousands of these engines left without work they were sold on to short lines and used in construction and logging. The remains of three of these engines are out on the Alaska tundra where they were left after a road construction project.

Here is a RF&P and it former S2 slug on Potomac Yard in Alexandra VA. Hometown yard, home town switcher. 

Here is my current Hometown switcher. The New York subway system is running 24/7/365 at the end of my block. When I see these engines I know I will not be getting where I want soon but at least I get to see these up close without too much effort. So, as in life there is always a trade off.

So no posts this week of my own switchers or even my old closet layout I was running on when SWSat started. Now I have switched my home layout to a shelf layout and have a large club layout to run on.  

Thanks for the good time talking trains. Have a great week guys. 

Happy Anniversary to a great thread and a great bunch of regulars.  

irregulars might be more like it.......

Steamer posted:

irregulars might be more like it.......

LMAO!!! 

Ok. I found a 0-3-0 and it is a steamer.

This is an operable Monorail in an Indian Museum. It is a bit of a cheat because of the outrigger but pretty cool looking. 

Happy 3rd SWSat.

Happy SwSat & Happy 3rd!!!

The O&UP had some flooding so its still umder repair.  I did get a new GT road switcher to pair up with its powered brother

Have a happy 3rd & thanks Rich!

HAPPY 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SWSAT!!!! CONGRATULATIONS RICH!!!  Thanks so much Rich for creating and keeping this thread going for 3 years and hopefully many years to come!  This thread is something I ALWAYS look forward to here on the forum!

Rich - Got to love that photo of you, chessieMD, and myself taken last year at the B&O Museum in Baltimore!   Also have BIG FUN today running trains in Fredericksburg.  If I didn't have things scheduled to do for today, I very well may have already been on my way down to Fredricksburg

It's an honor for me to part of this wonderful switcher community each Saturday.  I learn lots from everyone who posts here.  

I took a few photos last night to honor Rich and Switcher Saturday's 3 years and counting!  The first 5 photos are the switcher hoggers standing in front ( or on side of VO1000 )  of their locomotives saluting Rich and SWSAT.  Also here are some photos from past posts since I've been contributing to this great thread.   Have a wonderfully fun and creative weekend everyone! 

                                     LIRR

Happy 3rd Anniversary Rich & Switcher Saturday. This Saturday i post something special. I have weathered this week my MTH LIRR RS1 & some RMT LIRR sand hoppers with a MTH LIRR caboose. 

Johan, when you weather like you did with your MTH item mentioned above,do you permanently weather it or do you use something that can be easily wiped off like chalk?

Arnold

MTH Proto 1 Erie Lackawana switcher hauling coal and logs

Sorry I did not get photos and video of this switcher in one reply. I'm still learning how to use my new smart phone camera.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Johan, when you weather like you did with your MTH item mentioned above,do you permanently weather it or do you use something that can be easily wiped off like chalk?

Arnold

Arnold: I use Artist oil paints & Pan Pastels with a turpentine.

Johan

Thank you, Rich, for running this First Class Switcher Line!  This thread is my first station stop every Saturday morning (after my mug of coffee, of course). 

Long may SWSAT run!

Happy number 3 

Switching a load of steel into a mainline freight.

Congratulations on 3 years!

A pair of RK RS3's in GM&O wend their way 

Murnane posted:

you guys are awesome, I'm going offline for a while but will check back later!

p.s. @MELGAR - I didn't realize  you were a native LI guy, I grew up in the Oyster Bay area, so the LIRR and I spent lots of time together!

Rich,

Moved from Queens to East Meadow, LI when I was eight years old. Used to ride the LIRR out of Hempstead and Merrick into the City. "Change at Jamaica." Congratulations on three years of SWSAT.

MELGAR 

The 505 snoozing and the 5244 getting ready to move a cabin car.

Now and then a consolidation is called in to move a car or 2.

briansilvermustang posted:

2 beauties

c.sam posted:

Congratulations on 3 years!

A pair of RK RS3's in GM&O wend their way 

Beautiful trains, bridges, layout & photos. Sam, what camera did you use to take the photos?

well thanks to this anniversary it looks like I have another project.I had all my switchers out this morning for pics, and I decided to let them stretch their legs. When it came time for 1662, she just sat there and hummed. I took it apart, all looked OK, but cleaned the commuter,brushes good, cleaned and re-lubed. Stilled jut hummed,,,so I pulled the E Unit. It's been finicky since I got the engine. No difference....till it started to smoke.....and you'l remember the Prewar switchers didn't come with smoke...DOA. Well I have an extra six drivered motor gathering dust......

not sure how far I'll go...I really like the proper high mounted headlight I did on my 1615 project, but hate to cur on a good shell.

  RDG #1478..............

SIRT posted:

  RDG #1478..............

 

 

Drop dead gorgeous, perfect trains, weathering, track, little people, scenery, etc.

briansilvermustang posted:

rpmcobra posted:

No photo offerings from me this week but happy 3rd birthday for switcher Saturday and all the great photos shared I enjoy. Hope to contribute next Saturday. Love the MA & PA

Thanks briansilvermustang Love seeing the MA & PA especially #82

Here's my contribution for the anniversary:

Round two for the 3 year celebration.  Switchers of the Free State Junction Railway gather in Patsburg for the SALUTE TO  3 YEARS of SWITCHER SATURDAY!!

The Pennsy ALCO PA 1 was pinch hitting for the Pennsy 44 tonner.

Lots of Long Islanders here on SWSAT, either native like Rich and Melgar or transplanted like me.

I was thinking the same thing, Joe!  Lots of LIRR.  Happy Anniversary to SWSAT!!!  Great photographs, one and all!!  Here are a couple I don't think I have posted before.

Happy Birthday.

coach joe posted:

Lots of Long Islanders here on SWSAT, either native like Rich and Melgar or transplanted like me.

Native! Just got back from Nassau Hobby a few hours ago and have been running the new switchers nonstop!

Murnane posted:

Guess what?  It's our three year anniversary special of #SwitcherSaturday!!!!

Love switchers?  Like them?  Got some?  Each Saturday for the past three years a bunch of us knuckleheads get together and post all kinds of stuff about switchers (shifters, docksiders, yard goats, critters, etc.), so lets keep #SwitcherSaturday (a.k.a. SWSAT) rolling!  Model trains, prototypes, videos, news articles, stories, whatever, just share something about switchers or switching in general!

SWSAT started back in 2015,  that was the year when the New England Patriots (yuck) beat the Seattle Seahawks in the super bowl!   If you're more of a NASCAR fan, the first Switcher Saturday was the day when driver Kyle Busch busted up his leg in a crash in Daytona!

The "Rich Murnane" picture and link from the 1st Switcher Saturday: http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...saturday-2015-feb-21

 

A picture and link to the 1 year anniversary! http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...0-1-year-anniversary

 

A picture and link to the 2 year anniversary! https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...two-year-anniversary

 

And of course, here's last week's SWSAT: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...saturday-2018-feb-17

Today is extra special for me because it's my younger daughter's birthday (we call her Boo), she's the one who likes trains (the older one, not-so-much), here's my favorite picture of her and the trains from a few years ago.

From my side I'm heading to the Greenburg Show in Fredericksburg VA today to run some trains with the Rappahannock Model Railroaders on the large O Gauge Modular layout, wish me luck, and who knows, maybe I'll find some good switchers for sale!

Here's some of my favorite silly things I've done on SWSAT over the last three years!

 

 

@trumptrain, me, and @ChessieMD

 

Me in front of the John Hancock:

 

Favorite watering hole....

 

One of my favorite pictures from my old house & the workbench layout...

Please share some of your favorite memories, everyone have a great weekend and thanks to each of you for making this silly little weekend routine special!!

 

Rich Murnane

p.s. Miss the post on Saturday? NO BIG DEAL, just keep posting pictures of your favorites until the next #SwitcherSaturday

Thank you very much for this Saturday morning gift for the past three years.  Congratulations!

Lou N

Very humbled to be mentioned in the 3 year anniversary! I miss having Rich right down the street, but very happy he has found a new club down south to run his switchers.

Also will always remember the meeting with @trumptrain at the B&O Museum, sharing some time with fellow model railroaders is always a blast. 

Here’s to the next 3 years. DILLY DILLY!

Hey Rich,

Here are a couple from the past that I know you liked.

Charlie

Charlie, What manufacturer is the steam Switcher in the last photograph?

wow guys, what a week, thanks for all the nice comments and thanks to all for making this special.  we had a busy day here so I'm hitting the sack, thanks again for hanging with me here for the last three years and catch you next week!

Mark,

MTH RailKing Imperial - https://mthtrains.com/30-1610-1

Charlie

cpowell posted:

Mark,

MTH RailKing Imperial - https://mthtrains.com/30-1610-1

Charlie

Charlie,

Yes that’s it!  I have one myself.  Very nice!  I’ll post mine another week!  Thank you!

coach joe posted:

Lots of Long Islanders here on SWSAT, either native like Rich and Melgar or transplanted like me.

Born and raised....55 years and counting.

Better late than never... wow three years we’ve been doing this. The boys on the NB&L dragged out some old iron in recognition. This noisy growler still sounds and runs great!

MELGAR posted:

...Note that NYC #901 has a conventional firebox while LIRR #3906 has the Belpaire firebox typical of most 20^th Century PRR locomotives. Why? Because the PRR purchased a controlling interest in the LIRR in 1900 and owned it until selling it to the State of New York in 1966. The NYC and LIRR were my hometown railroads until I grew up and left for New England.

MELGAR

Quite true. The relationship between the LIRR and the PRR went all the way from shared locomotives to the design of the logos.

Tom 

Late to the game as yesterday was quite busy! Happy belated anniversary Swt Sat.

Break time as G&W 45 takes on fuel and sand!

Lots of great photos these past three years--congratulations to this group.

Silver Lake posted:

...First up a model I remember from my youth that used to be in the Hall of Transportation at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. This model was one of the first times I saw O scale 2 rail models. I have always really loved this Diorama and was really happy to find that it has survived. It used to be about 15 feet in front of the big green Southern PS4 Pacific. It disappeared in the Hall Renovation 20 years ago. I was happy to find that it (like me) has moved to New York City and now is in the MTA museum in Brooklyn. The model has two 0-4-4F Forneys running on the 3rd Ave Elevated.

The model-builders at the Smithsonian did very impressive work. There used to be a phenomenal model of the Brooklyn Bridge too. Don't know if it's still on display.

MELGAR

Mark Boyce posted:

I was thinking the same thing, Joe!  Lots of LIRR.  Happy Anniversary to SWSAT!!!  Great photographs, one and all!!  Here are a couple I don't think I have posted before.

Mark, you sure have a couple of nice switchers there! But what I find more impressive is that you have a Thomas the Train Backpack! Your the man!

Don't worry I wont tell Paul I seen it!

MNCW posted:

MELGAR posted:

...Note that NYC #901 has a conventional firebox while LIRR #3906 has the Belpaire firebox typical of most 20^th Century PRR locomotives. Why? Because the PRR purchased a controlling interest in the LIRR in 1900 and owned it until selling it to the State of New York in 1966. The NYC and LIRR were my hometown railroads until I grew up and left for New England.

MELGAR

Quite true. The relationship between the LIRR and the PRR went all the way from shared locomotives to the design of the logos.

Tom 

MNCW - very nice memorabilia!

The LIRR’s most famous steam engines were the thirty-one G5s types built by the PRR’s Juniata Shops – with Belpaire fireboxes. Also known as the “Pittsburgh Commuter Engine,” the G5s was noted for its rapid acceleration which was well suited to Long Island. The last G5s was retired from Long Island in 1955. MTH made models of these locomotives in PRR and LIRR liveries.

MELGAR

mike g. posted:

Mark, you sure have a couple of nice switchers there! But what I find more impressive is that you have a Thomas the Train Backpack! Your the man!

Don't worry I wont tell Paul I seen it!

          I saw it too...

briansilvermustang posted:

Wow Brain!  You have found what could be the original GEEP locomotive!  Could this possibly be a GP 1?  LOL!

briansilvermustang posted:

mike g. posted:

Mark, you sure have a couple of nice switchers there! But what I find more impressive is that you have a Thomas the Train Backpack! Your the man!

Don't worry I wont tell Paul I seen it!

          I saw it too...

You both are so right!!  My wife picks up all kinds of stuff at the thrift store hoping we will have a grandchild someday I can give it to.  I have hats, whistles, Brio trains, Thomas trains, etc, etc waiting in the wings.  Most of the sets are missing parts, but that's normal for kids toys!