Switcher Saturday: 2019-April-13

It's a dim gray morning in the Beautiful Berkshires with clouds down on the Taconics so some bright sunny switchers are in order.

Lew

Interesting things can be found while Googling.  The skeletal remains of a Davidson chain drive locomotive somewhere in New Zealand:

Rusty

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auctions at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

Despite how similar they look externally it looks like the drive was modified over the length of production. 

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

They have pretty simplistic detail. Visually the only part that I really dislike is how simple the turned stack looks. They don’t run so great. So I have some work to do there. As far as I can tell these were made by by one company under contract to several different importers.  One of mine came with a box claiming it was made by an importer for LMB Models. It was part of their HO craftsmen Masterpieces series. Ironically it is not HO but O scale. 

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

The front of my 10’-by-5’ layout has a short stub track that is just long enough to park a steam switcher. CNJ 107, an Atlas O model of a USRA 0-6-0, is one of the locomotives that I keep there and run often. It is a finely detailed model with realistic steam engine sounds and whistle. The full-sized USRA 0-6-0, designed during World War 1, had 51-inch diameter driving wheels, operated at 190 pounds-per-square-inch pressure, weighed 165,000 pounds, developed 39,100 pounds of tractive force, and was connected to an 8000 gallon tender.

MELGAR

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auction at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

Terrific!

MELGAR

It must be SWSat Time!

Happy Saturday to all. Great posts everyone.

Andy- two at the same time, great find. Those look like they are well made. Can't wait to see your customizing.

Rich- A switcher no matter the stripes is fine. We will excuse your forgetfulness.

Rusty, Bill, and Lew- great photos.

So a stray switcher found its was into my yard yesterday. I begged mom and dad to let me keep it and they said YES!

As much as I say I need to stop buying so much......you all know the answer

The EMD NW2 is a 1,000 hp (750 kW), B-B switcher locomotive manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois. The NW2 was manufactured from February 1939 to December 1949, and 1145 were produced – 1121 for the U.S., and 24 were exported to Canada. Starting in late 1948 the NW2s were manufactured in EMD's Plant #3 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 1,000 hp (750 kW) was achieved by using a 12-cylinder, model 567, and later, a model 567A engine. In addition, 3 TR cow-calf paired sets, 36 TR2 cow-calf paired sets, and 2 TR3 cow-calf-calf sets were produced. The TR sets were built prior to World War II and the TR2 and TR3 sets were built postwar. (wikipedia). The PRR owned 32 of these engines.

Williams by Bachman makes some nice stuff. Here is their version of the NW-2 8543 in Pennsy black and yellow. It's my third along with C&O 624 and my original ATSF 623.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Bob

I decided to buy an MTH switcher from Mr. Muffin’s Trains. This is a Railking model, so modest, but it runs well, sounds good, seems scale, attractive paint and finish, and will look nice doubled-headed with my MTH 0-4-0. Shipping was a tad slow taking just over three weeks to reach me--still, it arrived safely. My new Union Pacific 0-6-0 will pull a scale MTH yellow UP caboose, a silver Sonoma County (Calif.) wine reefer made by Atlas, and someday a short old-fashion wood UP coach. The coach might be wishful thinking as I don’t even know if one has ever been produced. I’ve had some good luck with the half dozen or so MTH items that I own, and that is the reason I chose this manufacturer. I have to apologize for the missing timber on my tunnel--that got by me.

1/1 scale NS GP 40-2 switches Kreamer Feed mill in Snyder Co, PA on Apr 12th this year.  The village of Kreamer is now the end-of-the-line for this former PRR ?branchline that terminated a few miles west,   years ago,  at another mill town - Paxtonville.   For the inquisitive minds, the red device to the left in the photo is a car winching device so the grain cars can be cabled into exact position for loading & unloading.

did a little fun run this morning on the RiCH RR after posting SWSAT, don't think I've videoed from this angle before, not sure if it's "good", but was fun.

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auctions at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

Despite how similar they look externally it looks like the drive was modified over the length of production. 

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

They have pretty simplistic detail. Visually the only part that I really dislike is how simple the turned stack looks. They don’t run so great. So I have some work to do there. As far as I can tell these were made by by one company under contract to several different importers.  One of mine came with a box claiming it was made by an importer for LMB Models. It was part of their HO craftsmen Masterpieces series. Ironically it is not HO but O scale. 

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

LMB was Leonard M Blum, the lawyer who owned Cleveland's Hobby House. That loco was my first venture into 2 rail. Got it while I was an employee there. Original list price was twenty five bucks. And yes I still have it .

Lou N

Happy Switcher Saturday everyone.

I picked up a couple of #1024 manual switches so I thought I would rehash one of my switchers on a pair of other #1024 switches.

Tom

                                                                MP/M7 

7180 running light:

Tom

Chicago Great Western

North Western’s V1000 switcher idling by Marshalltown Iowa power plant. 

Tom Densel posted:

7180 running light:

Tom

Nice layout scene and caboose.

MELGAR

SIRT posted:

 

                                                                MP/M7 

Looks great SIRT.

Found this too

MP/M9- sneak peak at the new M9's that the LIRR is rolling out soon. Not sure I like the paint on the M9.

RSJB18 posted:

SIRT posted:

 

                                                         MP/M9- sneak peak at the new M9's that the LIRR is rolling out soon. Not sure I like the paint on the M9.

 

A similar paint scheme/ wrap is currently on the new trains on the MTAs  E line. Also the newer buses in Manhattan are in a similar blue and yellow swooping diagonals  paint scheme. I think it is here to stay for awhile. 

Mike CT posted:

As a retired railroader, I also think about the prototype whenever I see a model.

Can you imagine the lateral motion there must have been, in the cab of this little goat?  With only two axles, and running on rough yard track and through turnouts, anything not secured must have been flying back and forth across the cab while the engine was in motion.  Imagine being the Engineer, hanging on while running the engine.

Outstanding photograph! Thanks Rich.

I wish that I could build a model railroad that looks just like that picture. 1940s America - before big trucks and Interstate highways. Railroads were everywhere.

MELGAR

Happy Switcher Saturday from Finland. Finnish State Railways (VR), order 60 (option 100 more) new Stadler diesel "Switcher" engines. I think they looking quite nice. First engines arrival 2022. http://www.dailyfinland.fi/bus...motives-from-Stadler

Nice Johan- looks like somebody put a 44 tonner on the rack and stretched it out. Almost makes my WBB center cab look prototypical.

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auctions at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

Despite how similar they look externally it looks like the drive was modified over the length of production. 

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

They have pretty simplistic detail. Visually the only part that I really dislike is how simple the turned stack looks. They don’t run so great. So I have some work to do there. As far as I can tell these were made by by one company under contract to several different importers.  One of mine came with a box claiming it was made by an importer for LMB Models. It was part of their HO craftsmen Masterpieces series. Ironically it is not HO but O scale. 

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

Miles is not far from where I grew up on the east side of Cleveland. Always a great RR town!

Lou N posted:

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auctions at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

Despite how similar they look externally it looks like the drive was modified over the length of production. 

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

They have pretty simplistic detail. Visually the only part that I really dislike is how simple the turned stack looks. They don’t run so great. So I have some work to do there. As far as I can tell these were made by by one company under contract to several different importers.  One of mine came with a box claiming it was made by an importer for LMB Models. It was part of their HO craftsmen Masterpieces series. Ironically it is not HO but O scale. 

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

LMB was Leonard M Blum, the lawyer who owned Cleveland's Hobby House. That loco was my first venture into 2 rail. Got it while I was an employee there. Original list price was twenty five bucks. And yes I still have it .

Lou N

Ha! Yes, many a purchase made by me at the HH on Huron Road in downtown Cleveland. As a kid in the fifties and sixties, I also frequented Jaye and Jaye on Euclid at Lee for my Lionel wants.

Later in life, my store was the Trading Post on Pearl Road. That one is still going strong, btw. Out in L.A. now, so they are but fond memories. 

I really like those brass models.

Andy - you have a sophisticated collection of model trains.

MELGAR

RSJB18 posted:

Nice Johan- looks like somebody put a 44 tonner on the rack and stretched it out. Almost makes my WBB center cab look prototypical.

Now this is the way a 44-Tonner is SUPPOSED to look, not like  those little scale-sized versions!  “Lionel sets the standard!”  

Dave Warburton posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Nice Johan- looks like somebody put a 44 tonner on the rack and stretched it out. Almost makes my WBB center cab look prototypical.

Now this is the way a 44-Tonner is SUPPOSED to look, not like  those little scale-sized versions!  “Lionel sets the standard!”  

Dave,

I completely understand why you feel that way but I'm hopelessly stuck on scale stuff...

The solution is to have TWO of the scale ones...

MELGAR

Dave Warburton posted:

Lou N posted:

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auctions at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

Despite how similar they look externally it looks like the drive was modified over the length of production. 

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

They have pretty simplistic detail. Visually the only part that I really dislike is how simple the turned stack looks. They don’t run so great. So I have some work to do there. As far as I can tell these were made by by one company under contract to several different importers.  One of mine came with a box claiming it was made by an importer for LMB Models. It was part of their HO craftsmen Masterpieces series. Ironically it is not HO but O scale. 

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

LMB was Leonard M Blum, the lawyer who owned Cleveland's Hobby House. That loco was my first venture into 2 rail. Got it while I was an employee there. Original list price was twenty five bucks. And yes I still have it .

Lou N

Ha! Yes, many a purchase made by me at the HH on Huron Road in downtown Cleveland. As a kid in the fifties and sixties, I also frequented Jaye and Jaye on Euclid at Lee for my Lionel wants.

Later in life, my store was the Trading Post on Pearl Road. That one is still going strong, btw. Out in L.A. now, so they are but fond memories. 

I used to go to the Hobby House as a young boy and just drool at all the O scale in the display.

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins.

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

Yes...follow my strategy right to the poor house! Proceed at your own risk. 

Tom

MNCW posted:

Silver Lake posted:

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Yes...follow my strategy right to the poor house! Proceed at your own risk. 

Tom

Tom I am sure I have a ways to go before I approach your stature as a collector of the same item.

 Also I am sure fewer of these were made than Pre war B-6s by Lionel. Maybe I’m wrong. 

Hello fellow SWSAT friends!  You guys have some terrific photos and information of  real, model, and toy switchers!  I love it!

Well, a couple of things.  First some photos of my updated weathering of my Docksider.  

Second, photos of my brand new K line Shay  ( with TMCC Railsounds ) which I purchased from OGR's Allan Miller ... as I saw his post on the For Sale Section of  OGR Forum. I met Allan yesterday in the parking lot in front of the Orange Hall to finalize the purchase.  We had a very nice chat as well!  Thanks Allan for this package of fun!  I'm adding the Shay to the switcher fleet and may eventually weather it.  When I got back from York last night, I played with the Shay, doing switching work, until around 2:20 a.m this morning.  I was having pure FUN ... and had to force myself to go to bed because I had to work this morning and afternoon

Speaking of York, I came very close to pulling the trigger on a Right of Way Docksider.  I'm now kind of regretting that I didn't buy it.  Well. there will be other opportunities I'm sure.  I love Tom P's RofW Docksider.  Thanks for the inspiration Tom!!  

I had a great time at York!  Wish I could  have had more time to spend there.  Hopefully this fall I will have more time and am very grateful that I live close enough to York to go at all, given so many of TCA members live so far away from York or have health issues preventing them from travel.   

Have a wonderful weekend and week everyone!! ( btw - photos were taken in various lights ... natural. overhead, front lit,  and combination front, overhead & natural. 

Murnane posted:

did a little fun run this morning on the RiCH RR after posting SWSAT, don't think I've videoed from this angle before, not sure if it's "good", but was fun.

 

Gee Doc we've gone forward in time to 23rd April!

The circus is in town! 🎪 

Spent this morning with a 1:1 loco, this 2-6-0 Mogul (ex-Espee) oil-burner at the annual “Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.” Always a fun event there. The Mogul is a static display and sits beside our original Saugus, CA (SP) Station at our local Historical Society.

Murnane posted:

Hey Rich - Wonderful photo!  Thanks for posting.  Any idea of where it was taken? 

Dave Warburton posted:

Silver Lake posted:

Yay! SWSat is on!

This week I have some pics of the brass twins. I have been looking at these 1960’s era 2 rail O scale brass 2-6-2Ts. After a long time with no reasonably priced findings I found two listed in auctions at the same time  I bid on each of these and was surprised to win both of them. Oops. I guess no body wanted them.

Despite how similar they look externally it looks like the drive was modified over the length of production. 

As far as I can tell they are not based on any specific prototype and are fairly generic. It does look similar to an LIRR engine that was later sold to CNJ.

They have pretty simplistic detail. Visually the only part that I really dislike is how simple the turned stack looks. They don’t run so great. So I have some work to do there. As far as I can tell these were made by by one company under contract to several different importers.  One of mine came with a box claiming it was made by an importer for LMB Models. It was part of their HO craftsmen Masterpieces series. Ironically it is not HO but O scale. 

My plan is to modify and detail them to be different prototypes. I am sure one will end up as a 0-6-0T. To see how different they can end up from the same start. 

Maybe I’ll follow Tom P’s/MNCW’s example and find another one. 

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to see what you guys post. 

Miles is not far from where I grew up on the east side of Cleveland. Always a great RR town!

Makes me wonder if I ever waited on you.  My first job was at Sparks Hobby Shop at 131st and Miles.

Lou N