Switcher Saturday

 Greetings All,

Welcome to "Switcher Saturday"

Today we'll introduce the newest switch engine to the fleet and enjoy running some of the other pups around the layout.

After several years of servicing R.M.O. Electric in Rock Ridge NJ the company has offered this well kept General Electric 44 tonner for sale.

The engine became surplus after the company negotiated a new switching contract with the Atlantic Pacific RR. Rumor has it 1:1 Sir Neal made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

Extra 1693 brings the second hand 44 tonner from Rock Ridge Yard towards Terminal Yard. Looks like that's 1/87th scale Sir Neal at the throttle! 

The unit has arrived and is offloaded at the engine terminal. Between 1940 and 1956 G.E. produced a total of 386 of these light duty switchers.

The GE 44 tonner gets to work at the Empire Power Authority Power Plant doing what it did so well for R.M.O. Electric. 

This 44 tonner from Bachmann is a perfect fit for the light switching duties of  E.P.A. One of the key aspects of the 44 tonner is that it allowed for single trainman operation and saved on labor costs.

Over at the class 1 railroad where labor costs are crippling the RR Baldwin S12s from Athearn handle the Pier 16 Yard Job today. One of the S12s and the HR hopper are track cleaners.

Later in the day the NYC S12s work Bruce Electric Equipment. The New York Central bought 21 S12s in 1951-1952 and these old BB models are just as rugged as their prototype.

A pair of Erie Lackawanna Alco S1s bring a transfer freight from their West 28 Street Yard into the Pier 16 Yard via the 12th Ave running track.

The EL S-1s have dropped off their freight cars.

The Baldwin S12s tack on the EL caboose.

The EL S1s head back to their West 28th St Yard.

A few hours later Lehigh Valley EMD SW9 #292 brings a transfer train past Bruce Electric.

The LV train originated at their West 27th St Yard.

The LV SW9 shoves it's freight cars into an empty Pier 16 yard track. EMD started building the 1,200 HP SW9 in 1950 selling over 800 units.

The LV SW9, an older P-2000 model, idles away as the Pier 16 Yard Baldwins work the inbound train. 

A short time later the SW9 heads back towards West 27th Street via the 12th Ave running track. 

A favorite switcher engine on the railroad is this Bachmann Alco S4 that is assigned to the small but busy Bedford Park Yard.

The 1,000 HP unit was built by Alco starting in 1950 and was a big seller for the company.

Alco would sell about 800 S4s. The NYC would purchase 41 units including the 8598 in 1952.

Last but not least for Switcher Saturday is this EMD SW8-Baldwin S12-EMD SW8 lash up. 

The NYC bought 26 SW8s in 1952-53 numbered 9602-9627.  

The Proto 2000 SW8s work very well with the dummy Athearn Baldwin S12 that is set up as a track cleaner. 

That closes out Switcher Saturday on the NYCTL. A very special thank you to 1:1 Sir Neal for sending the GE 44 tonner my way.

Thanks for reading!!!! See ya soon!!!