Maybe someone could help on this one. I am modeling a present day BNSF line in Chicago. My question is this, what type of "switcher" would I use on the layout. I pass by the train yard all the time but never see any type of a switcher. Any ideas of what I could use? Mike
Depending on how big the yard is, a SD38-2 (i think thats what is) and mated slug unit may be used, but generally BNSF uses the pair on hump yard operations..... If this is a smaller flat yard I have seen SW1500's used, i have seen numerous GP units used, and even SD40-2s and SD40's doing yard work.... Again it all depends on yard size...
On railpictures.net they have nice images of railroad operations.... Here there is a GP38 lashed up with an SW1500 (i think) http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=61433 Here is the SD39 pair i mentioned... http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=57248 If i were u, i would look at railpictures.net, or another site, and see first what locomotive u like, and then if they are available, or where you could make a start kitbashing if u would like something distinguishable... Thanks to railpictures.net for the pics (so i don't get into leagal trouble... hehe)... SD40
I would recomend that you go with a Life Like SW9/1200 or SW8/900/600. ConCor makes an SW 1200, but it is an old drive that needs a lot of attention. If you are into re-working older locos, then by all means pick up one of the ConCor locos, if not, go with the Life Like. The BN used a lot of SD-7s and SD-9s for switch engines. Many are still used today in the H-1 scheme. You may wish to consider one of these.
Last year at the N Convention in Tulsa on the prototype tour we saw two or more SD7/9(can't tell the difference) still in BN paint (maybe patched BNSF) in use working the yard as well as coupled into what appeared to be road sets.
Back in Minot, ND's Gavin yard, a set of old SD9's, H1, and BN paint, some chopnosed, were the yard switcher power. What a show! Downhere in Cheyenne, Geeps do the switching, although I have seen SD40-2's switching. Presently, there is a GP28M, and a GP39M in town. In Denver, setos of MU'd SD40-2's in Cascade green do all the switching, and Denver yard is a large yard. In UP's Denver North Yard, agaggle of switch engenes abound on the engine service tracks. At any given time, one can see SW1500's, MP15's and other such engines, remote controlled. Back in Cheyenne, on UP, sets of remote controlled SD40-2 lashups do all the switching.
