"Modern" switchers seem to be few and far between. The MRL/BNSF yard in Laurel,MT is currently using SD35's with remote cabooses. On occasion you'll see a GP9 hooked to the cabooses and in the MRL yard in Billings. They also have a couple of SW1500's in the area to switch the local refinery and other local switching. In Helena they use an SD9.....not a modern loco in the bunch.
Modern switchers
- Thread starter Motley
- Start date
ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
BNSF was using SD40-2s at Clyde Yard in Cicero, Illinois not long ago. Not sure if they're still there.
It SEEMS like anything that's not hauling over-the-road freight can wind up as a switcher, either by the original owner or when sold to another RR, so I wouldn't worry too much about having a Genset or a GP or whatever unless I were modeling a very specific time and place.
Kato makes an SD38-2, which several railroads purpose-bought to use as heavy yard switchers. They are also available with DCC and sound. In fact, I have two of them.
Any of those for sale?
That was the "in the works" pile. Most of those have been detailed up and sent off for DCC and LED installation. I'm collecting switchers for my JTEX layout. It's based on LTEX in Marysville Ohio. It'll be the first strictly switcher re-builders.
That is funny that you mention the Rio Grande one. I pulled that one off of the shelf tonight and added the last few details to it. It was missing the air line for the bell and the windshield wipers. Not anymore!! LOL
That looks great!! (I'm ignoring the patch - [finger in ears] LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
)
OK, not to offend you, here's 2 more that need completed yet still in their Rio Grande paint.
Both are Athearn shells. Somewhere along the way, they must have changed their paint color.
Trey, it's mostly Cannon cab parts, but the front and back walls are made buy Daniel Kohlberg just for the IC SW14's.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)
Motley
Active Member
OK I'm still trying to decide what to get.
I found this Kato SD40-2 w/DCC & Sound, does anybody have any experience with these units?
http://www.katousa.com/Zcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71_116_117&products_id=597
How do they run, is the sound good? (I think it has a Digitrax decoder in it).
How are the details?
Thanks,
Michael
I found this Kato SD40-2 w/DCC & Sound, does anybody have any experience with these units?
http://www.katousa.com/Zcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71_116_117&products_id=597
How do they run, is the sound good? (I think it has a Digitrax decoder in it).
How are the details?
Thanks,
Michael
Beachbum
Member
BNSF was using SD40-2s at Clyde Yard in Cicero, Illinois not long ago. Not sure if they're still there.
It SEEMS like anything that's not hauling over-the-road freight can wind up as a switcher, either by the original owner or when sold to another RR, so I wouldn't worry too much about having a Genset or a GP or whatever unless I were modeling a very specific time and place.
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
I don't care what the modern RR's use these days. Unless they look like one of these, they'll never be switchers in my book!! 
Kato makes an SD38-2, which several railroads purpose-bought to use as heavy yard switchers. They are also available with DCC and sound. In fact, I have two of them.
I don't care what the modern RR's use these days. Unless they look like one of these, they'll never be switchers in my book!!
Any of those for sale?
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
That was the "in the works" pile. Most of those have been detailed up and sent off for DCC and LED installation. I'm collecting switchers for my JTEX layout. It's based on LTEX in Marysville Ohio. It'll be the first strictly switcher re-builders.
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
If you decide to part with the Rio Grandes, please keep me in mind
That is funny that you mention the Rio Grande one. I pulled that one off of the shelf tonight and added the last few details to it. It was missing the air line for the bell and the windshield wipers. Not anymore!! LOL
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
Trey, you mean like this one???
I've 2 of the SW14 cabs, I just need to finish them. Then paint them up for the IC (my parent RR).
I've 2 of the SW14 cabs, I just need to finish them. Then paint them up for the IC (my parent RR).
That is funny that you mention the Rio Grande one. I pulled that one off of the shelf tonight and added the last few details to it. It was missing the air line for the bell and the windshield wipers. Not anymore!! LOL
That looks great!! (I'm ignoring the patch - [finger in ears] LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
)
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
That looks great!! (I'm ignoring the patch - [finger in ears] LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
OK, not to offend you, here's 2 more that need completed yet still in their Rio Grande paint.
KCSRailfan
KCS Railfan,and Modeler.
Well the KCS here in Shreveport/Bossier uses SW1500s,MP15s,GP40-3s,GP22ECOs,GP38s,and -2s for switching here.
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
Both are Athearn shells. Somewhere along the way, they must have changed their paint color.
wheeler1963
Wheeler's Trains
Trey, it's mostly Cannon cab parts, but the front and back walls are made buy Daniel Kohlberg just for the IC SW14's.
ChevelleSSguy
Member
The BNSF yard near here is using SD40-2s for yard switching.
Jerome, do you use any criteria in determining what details go on your locomotives? I have several SW1500s and I would like to do the same thing but I have no idea where to start in detailing these other then trying to decifer prototype pictures.
Jerome, do you use any criteria in determining what details go on your locomotives? I have several SW1500s and I would like to do the same thing but I have no idea where to start in detailing these other then trying to decifer prototype pictures.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)