I'm trying to identify a switcher I used to see in northeast Wisconsin in the '50s - '08. They all were flat black and no markings. They looked a lot like an SW9 and resemble HH600 & S2. There hoods didn't tapper down like the SW9 and side steps out of the cab along the engine was covered with a plate so you couldn't see the steps and had a curved down cut out. I have seen them listed in HO but don't know who made or sold them. That was back in '07 when I was switching to HO. Now I'm switching back to N and would prefer that gauge. Though I'd get an HO if it wasn't expensive. Maybe make a small switcher layout in HO as well.
Though your description sounds like just about every switcher ever made, I'm thinking either an early Baldwin VO660 or VO1000, or FM H10-44 or H12-44 with the Loewy styling - the curved sheet metal around the cab steps eliminates a lot of others. The all-black paint narrows down the field to early 50's, when many railroads stuck to the black color applied to the steam locos. HTH
In the area described, the railroads were such as Milwaukee Road. (Orange, Maroon & Black scheme, simplified system wide mid-1960's to just Orange & Black. Their first Orange & Black only units appeared in 1952.) Soo Line. (1961 & later, White & Red scheme.) Chicago & North Western. (Yellow & Green scheme.) Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic. (Yellow with green & red trim.) Prior to 1961, the Soo Line family had different colors. One of which (Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie) was a "chocolate" brown. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RR got into the very southwestern corner of Wisconsin. They had switchers which were black, but with a gray trim. But were nowhere near the northeast corner you seek. Trying to think of what shortlines existed back then. Could have been something of that sort, but what company? Ahnapee & Western RY had red colors. Green Bay & Western RR also had red colors. Marinette, Tomahawk & Western RR were blue, or blue with white trim. After WWII, until the early 1950's, some of these companies first diesel switchers were all black. But by the end of the Korean War era, those were disappearing into color schemes. Hmmm. Maybe someone else less sleepy than I am right now will remember.
The Baldwin VO1000 fits the bill. In the '50-'60s I saw a lot of them and SW9s all in sold black. Then the same in Milwaukee, though some were colorful. Then in '07-'20 in Neenah there is one coughing around the yard that is all flat black with very little white striping. I found them in both HO and N gauge with a wide range of prices. I would like a colorful one in N and a black one for HO switching yard with two DCC steamers that I have. Thanks a lot for the help.
You are looking for a Fairbanks Morse H12-44 (marketed in HO by Walthers). Soo Line had 3 of them (#315, 316 & 317) in the location & time frame you are talking about. Dan
It's not the Fairbanks Morse H12-44. The hood is too high and I remembered the VO1000 when it was mentioned. With it's lower hood and raised head light. I have found those on eBay and Amazon. Both HO and N. Also DC and DCC. Thanks for your suggestion. I've only seen pictures of those in the past.
For what it might be worth, the Escanaba & Lake Superior had numerous Baldwins -- a VO-1000, DS44-660, S-8, DS44-1000s and an RS12. DS44-660 101 was in flat back, but with a white stripe and markings, so wouldn't fit your description. (Photo by David Hedlund)
Milwaukee Road had 2 black VO1000s, but their VOs were all assigned in the Twin Cities.....doesn't mean you couldn't have seen one in Wisconsin, but probably not on a permanent basis.
I don't know who owned the SW9s and VO1000s. There were several around Green Bay and north as I grew up. Neenah had a VO1000 from '06 to '18. All plan flat black and no symbols or names on them. Don't see them anymore in Appleton area.
I am grateful for the assistants and getting so correctly informed. But this is MY railroad in MY community! And I will choose which equipment and corporations can operate there. Ya'll choose your own. In N I already has two SW1200s and a GP40. All colorful. The HO is all steamers but too big now. Have a nice weekend. Nice and sunny here.
I wish Baldwin stuck around, their air throttle was easy to use, and their 4 stroke engine was really great for switching.
