Can anyone tell me why some of the SW1's had the windows over the hood covered with sheet metal, and where the horn was relocated to? Photos can be seen in David Sweetlands book NYC Color Pictorial Vol 1, pages 19 and 26. These switchers were located in Chicago, BTW. I'm particularly taken with the photo of #676 and want to model it, can't figure where the horn is! Thanks for any help. Gary
Gary, as much of a NY Central fan as I am, I never paid any attention to those SW1's. The Central pretty traditionally mounted the horns facing long hood forward right under the cab roof.
Hi Fitz, Although I don't post much I've been aware you're a steam guy since the old NYC pages. I'm just hoping someone here may see this and know something about it. Damndest thing, the horn is definately not in its usual location and front 3/4 views from both sides don't reveal one. Must be there somewhere, no? Curious about why they covered up those windows too. These were Chicago passenger terminal switchers, at least 676 is. Oh well, maybe someone will know. Gary
Gary - Try this site and look under the roof overhang in the center of the cab. http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/emd/sw1/xpc8434cf.jpg
Hi Gil, thanks for the link, that is the usual location for the horn. On the units I'm refering to, the two large windows over the hood are plated over, and the horn is not there. There are photos at George Elwoods fallen flag site, I don't see plated over windows there, but there are several SW1's with no visable horns there. http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc641s.jpg This link should get you there. Thanks, Gary
What is the small circular item just under the pilot deck on the 641? Is it an indentation for poling, or the horn?
Gary, on the 641 could that be an air whistle on the cab over the windows where the horn is usually placed? I don't know about NYC but New Haven had a lot of diesels and budd cars with air whistles.
Fitz, Those are poling pockets, tho they look bottomless in that photo. Gil, I bet that that is an air whistle! I'd never heard of them being used but don't know what else that item could be. I looked at some of the other photos on the fallen flag sight and other SW1's in Chicago seem to have the same appliance where the horn normally would be. Here's one: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc623g.jpg I've never read anything about it but will look around. Thanks! Gary
Gary, I contacted Maurice Lewman, LEW on this site, and a retired NY Central hogger. He confirms that some of the switchers had air whistles, as Gil said, installed. Looking carefully at the photo, it does look like a small version of a steam whistle. By the way guys, Maurice has been unable to get on the site.
Gary & Fitz Perhaps Pierce might be able to find one of the air whistles on something at the Danbury Museum where he volunteers.
Thanks Fitz,and yes They did have whistles.I am not sure, been a lot of years, but I think a few of the later S-1s had horns and tese were probably add on.As for the metal plates in the windows ,this was due to maybe broken windows and tis ws the easy way to repair.With an engineer and fireman in the cab visibility with these widows was not necessary. We would take one of these little 600 HP engines to Bento Harbor,Mi. from Niles,Mi.every 30 days for inspection.The throttles did not have notches and if you did not hold the throttle open it would go to idle.I put would put 2 or 3 heavy rubber bands around the throttle and over something on the other end and let it run wide open.Most of these engines were not very fast and if they would start running over 30mph a little air would slow them down. On the way back it was a pretty good climb into Niles Jct.and the stack would be red half way up it's length. They were good engines to flat switch with if you only switched with 15 or 20 cars and were good for switching industries again if 10 or 15 cars wre being handled. LEW
Thanks for the info Lew, and thanks to you Fitz for directing Lew to my post. The help is very much appreciated! Gary
Gary Try this site for a picture of a Hancock air whistle. You can also hear what one sounds like. http://www.nhrhta.org/htdocs/images0602.htm
Hi, I was looking for information on NYC Switchers (SW1 or NW2 or ??) that used to work the Detroit area, Vinewood Yard I think. I used to see these guys working back and forth almost continuously in the early 1960's and was wondering what kind of switchers these might have been. I don't know if Lew is still on this board and if he may or may not know. I used to work in the Southwest part of Michigan about 26 years ago and remember Niles and benton Harbor very well. I can imagine that 30 mile trip probably took an hour. Since these were Michigan NYC lines (as opposed to Indiana), the Detroit area may also be known by the Niles/Benton harbor guys. Regards, Vic Bitleris
SW1 Vick, These were EMD 600hp switchers.They were numbered in the 500-600s. They were all about the same. Some had horns and some whistles.Most had a slide throttle,(not a notched one like on road engines. If the throtte was adjusted correctly it would return to idle when you removed your hand from the throttle. In one of my stories on the Benton Harbor I tell about wrapping a rubber band around the throttle and the bell ringer valve to hold the throttle open after leaving Niles or BH LEW
