Eastern Railroad Discussion > Switcher Identification Help

On a recent trip to Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, we drove around the local industrial complex for some model railroad ideas and came across this switcher. I'm not really up on my switcher identifications so maybe someone can help me here. Along with the model, can anyone give me a history of the unit such as who owned it previously. The number is 8705 but other than that, there are no real railroad markings on the locomotive.

1. A roster shot.

2. A cab shot.

Chris Tokarcik
Morgantown, WV



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/15/10 06:11 by NSHorseheadSD70.

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The number is probably its Conrail # and judging from the rain deflector on the roof it looks like a former Reading unit. I am sure someone can give you a more definitive answer on here.

Pal77 has it right. This is an ex-Reading SW-900M #1505, which became Conrail #8705. The Reading sent a group of Baldwin VO switchers to EMD to be rebuilt. Basically these were new SW-900's with trucks from the VO's, hence they were classed on the Reading as rebuilds (the reason for the "M"), instead of new locomotives.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/15/10 06:44 by RDG5308.

According to Jay Reeds Industrial Guide it list it as Mol-Dok, Inc. It's a SW-8 ex CR 8705, nee RDG 1505 Acquired c-1991, B/n 26808, F/N 7605-05, B/d -61.
Stan

acltrainman Wrote:
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> According to Jay Reeds Industrial Guide it list it
> as Mol-Dok, Inc. It's a SW-8 ex CR 8705, nee RDG
> 1505 Acquired c-1991, B/n 26808, F/N 7605-05, B/d
> -61.
> Stan

With that late a build date it must be a SW900M. The difference between a SW8 and a SW900 is that the former uses a 8V-567B engine, while the SW900 series uses 8V-567C series engines. Actual horsepower rating of locomotives using older parts was variable, depending on the capacity of the reused parts.

I'm not 100% sure of who owns it but my buddy is a conductor on NS there out of conway an he told me that switcher is used to move rock cars around when NS brings them the rock train. Not sure how often its used. I've been past there many times now an never have I seen it moved.

Oh! I was thinking it was a Varney from around 1952?
Gonut

Gonut1 Wrote:
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> Oh! I was thinking it was a Varney from around
> 1952?
> Gonut


I have four of the old Varney's and they still run!!!

Let's hear it for the drip strip, it is hard for ex-Reading diesels to hide.