As you can see from the # of posts I'm new to model railroading. My question is: which type of loco works in a modern (late 90's to present) yard? I have SD70Mac's and AC4400 and modeling BNSF. The loco's will be pulling coal porters, intermodals and grain cars. Thanks to all that respond. Jeff
By working in a modern yard, do you mean as a yard switcher? Here in St. Louis at Lindenwood Yard (BNSF's hub) I see a variety of power, including SD40-2s, C44-9Ws, GP 39's, etc. But I also think I have seen SW1500's. The big power is usually sitting at the west end of the yard awaiting assignment. My own layout's modern yard will be the same as your it seems (BNSF, and I too have SD70's and AC4400s for coal drags). I plan to use Atlas' GP38 serving yard duty as well as a local run. I also will use a Dash 8-40BW and a B23-7.
Hey Chris, Where is the Lindenwood Yard? I just moved up here a couple, months ago and dont know where anything is. thx Gabe
Lindenwood is at Interstate 44 and Arsenal Rd. The interstate goes right by the yard, but the West end is what is really visible. I find that you can see more traveling east towards downtown than going west (even though the yard is on the westbound side of I-44).
Once all of the first and second generation power started getting replaced with the next generation, the glut of used locomotives sorta killed the dedicated switcher market, save for the really tiny things like Trackmobiles. This means that virtually anything goes anymore. When you combine this with power sharing and the economies of standardizing your fleet of locomotives, you're more likely to see modern locomotives switching a large Class I yard as anything older. Shortlines have been awash in good, used GPs and SDs obsoleted by the Class I's for some time now. Here in SE Houston, I see mostly contemporary road power in and out of the LaPorte and Strang yard, older UP GPs on the branches servicing the larger refineries/tank farms around Bayport, and SW1200/1500s in dedicated services within facilities. The facilities along the Ship Channel are generally served by the Port Terminal Railway Association and their distinctive MK-1500 locomotives.
