With the mass infusion of 6-axle AC-motored diesels on the rails today, we tend to overlook the smaller cousins, even the switchers and "critters" that were built at the start of the diesel's battle to eradicate steam. True, not many examples exist out there, which is why I get excited to shoot soome of the early switchers from such builders as Alco, Baldwin, EMD, GE (44-and 70-tonners) and others. Following are a few examples to kick this thread off: Ex- USAF GE 45-tonner, at Ft. Smith Trolley Museum, Ft. Smith, AR, 4-7-05 NYC 9339, an Alco S1 (S3?), COnnersville, IN, Nov. 9, 2005 Ex-Cargill 44-tonner, same location & date. SOrry if it looks dark, folks.......Baldwin switcher (unsure of model, but it IS in the S-series (S8, S12). A rarity these days- a Lima switcher! Couldn't find a builder's plate on her, so unsure of when built, either by Lima or Lima-Hamilton. Very few diesels were built by this one-time steam builder (remember Super Power?).
The NYC unit should be an S-1. It has Blunt trucks. That Baldwin behind the 44 tonner? Almost looks like Milwaukee Road colors. But 346 is not a Milw number. Hmmm? A Lima unit? Is that the one used on the Whitewater Valley RR? Or am I thinking of another engine? Boxcab E50 [ December 12, 2005, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Something different. Working the Koppers tie plant in Denver. Retired COORS SW-8. Donated to Colorado Railroad Museum.
Great photos....! I actually drove a similar TrackMobile back in the 60's. But it didn't have a car attached and I didn't realize that was how the rear end of the TM was held to the rails. So when I hit the brake, the TM was up-ended onto its nose.... Fortunately, when the brake was released the TM settled back onto the rails......phew!
How about this little beauty! Well worn, and lightly maintained, tolling it's last years in a scrap yard moving gons.
OC's Cochocton shop contracted out to rebuild many different units. Here is a visiting unit from a nearby tourist line.
