Steam & Excursion > SP “Shop Switchers”, were any of them saved?

Shop switchers were used because they could move dead engines around,
and ride on the TTs along with the engine & tender that they were shifting..

Also, they were  used at the back-shops and their transfer tables --- the 0-6-0s
could stay cpupled to the dead engine to be switched to other stall
locations ---- whch were dedicated to a specific operation --- like wheel work.

One could assist at ORHF, with a switcher's very short wheel base..
In  1965 & 66 one of the first 'live'  locos I was around was owned
by George Hart, ex Reading Co. #1251, while he operated out of the
M&P yards, at York, Pa. It was often fired-up at York for a steam supply
and occasionally hauled tourists in one or two coaches to Red Lion, Pa.

it was Reading Shops switcher 0-6-0T #1251, now in the Pa. State RR
Museum, at Strasburg, Pa.

Its possible that other shop switchers might have survived to the  end of steam...
but, most-likely they were scrapped along with their bigger brothers.

Just musings of a old-head.

​W.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/23 01:47 by wcamp1472.

Here is the only Southern Pacific shop switcher to be saved.  She is now at Travel Town.

Martin

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interesting question.....the pnwc-nrhs owns a davenport end cab  four wheel switcher that was at end of life used at brookyn in portland.   hoping to get it transfered to ORHF ownership soon   Arlen

Wes,

Cool subject.

I always thought those SP 0-6-0T shop switchers were very interesting critters.  It is a shame none were saved.  Be a great loco for the CSRM to use on their little line.

If memory serves, the only other steam shop switcher beside the 1251 would be Strasburg's 7312 (31).  I believe her tender was shortened to help with shop tasks (check out a photo of her tender sometime. The trucks almost touch each other).  Rumor has it that the shop crew really liked her and that she was shuffled in the deadline so she wasn't next to be scrapped.

-Alan 

"Like a flexible staybolt, flexible people don't get bent out of shape"


 

WOW, 

A reply from halfway a globe away!
That was a very quick reply!
Thank You !

If the soon to arrive survivor could be made operable,
it makes all sorts of sense to use it, given the cramped
storage tracks situation.  That could easily be the little secret
that makes the TT investment really pay-off!*
An ideal marriage.

Enjoy your sea borne adventures!
Post some memorable pictures, for your Enthusiastic Arlen Fan club!

I also enjoy 'Hogger's wonderful picture of the surviving  0-4-0T.
The replies are a welcome and bright way to start out a Tuesday !
(A very appropriate location for the bell!)

Thank you both ----- for your cheerful replies.

Wes Camp

(* Paint it up in Daylight colors, and name it "Littlle Arlen"!)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/23 07:00 by wcamp1472.

thanks Wes ,.....bit more info...Davenport 20-ton 4-wheel GM end cab.built 8/1941 for US Army 7706, s #2359 acquired  by SP 1948, SP retired in 1959.  getting stuff on and off our turntable is exactly the hope by many here.      85 degrees, now off for a BA tour    this loco was a favorite of Dick Samuels (RIP) former owner of the Oregon Pacific Railroad.  probably should name it in his memory.........Arlen

A dumb question probably but will the 96 be too large to get things on and off the turntable?

JOHN

Jsporseen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A dumb question probably but will the 96 be too
> large to get things on and off the turntable?
>
> JOHN

Depends on which locomotive or passenger car. For example, there is no way #96, nor any other piece of equipment, will fit on the table along with #4449 or #700.

According to the Travel Town Musuem Foundation's website, SP 219 is being restored to operational status.  However, postings on Trainorders as far back as 12 years ago also state the engine is being restored to operation, so there may be little or no progress on this endeavor.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/23 14:27 by johnsweetser.

More info on SP 219:  https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006075587&view=1up&seq=334&skin=2021

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jsporseen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A dumb question probably but will the 96 be too
> > large to get things on and off the turntable?
> > JOHN

> Depends on which locomotive or passenger car. For
> example, there is no way #96, nor any other piece
> of equipment, will fit on the table along with
> #4449 or #700.

I realize that the 4449 and 700 barely fit on the turntable as I have seen pictures of them on it at Brooklyn.  I also realize that that an 80' passenger car would not fit with the 96 even though I'm not exactly sure of the length of that switcher.  It would be nice to have something on display on the TT when it is not in use and I suspect that will be a lot of the time.  If the 96 would not fit with one of the longer passenger cars then I think a nice display that would be eye catching and good for PR would be the 96 which was a UP Cheyenne Steam Shop Switcher and the Union Pacific Caboose.  I'll bet they would both fit and would be a great display at times.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/23 15:50 by Jsporseen.

LoggerHogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is the only Southern Pacific shop switcher to
> be saved.  She is now at Travel Town.
>
> Martin

Hi Martin! Welcome back! Glad to hear from you again! We missed you!

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jsporseen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A dumb question probably but will the 96 be too
> > large to get things on and off the turntable?
> >
> > JOHN
>
> Depends on which locomotive or passenger car. For
> example, there is no way #96, nor any other piece
> of equipment, will fit on the table along with
> #4449 or #700.

Having seen pictures of 4449 and 700 on the TT when it was in the Brooklyn yard, there is absolutely nothing that can fit on with either one.

patd3985 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LoggerHogger Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here is the only Southern Pacific shop switcher
> to
> > be saved.  She is now at Travel Town.
> >
> > Martin
>
> Hi Martin! Welcome back! Glad to hear from you
> again! We missed you!

Agree. Love seeing posts from Martin.
Used to start my day with his posts. b

new pit construction design allows for 4449/700 "hangover" as fence is setback.     PS: agree, nice to see Martin posting!     Arlen

asheldrake Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> interesting question.....the pnwc-nrhs owns a
> davenport end cab  four wheel switcher that was
> at end of life used at brookyn in portland. 
>  hoping to get it transfered to ORHF ownership
> soon   Arlen

Here is a picture of the Davenport that Arlen sent me and told me to go ahead and post if I wished.  Wouldn't it be a beauty pushing cars around the yard and on-and-off the turntable.  A quick thought, there must be a spot where a short butterfly track could be run off the turntable just long enough to allow for storage of this little beauty.  People walking around the outside perimieter fence would have a great view of it and it would always be available to be brought into action when needed.

A Daylight color scheme with the number 20 and an appropriate name would be  cool.

JOHN



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/23 14:29 by Jsporseen.

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The bell on the 219 is almost as big around as the cylinder!

My favorite locomotive...