Actually, according to the photo caption (omitted above), they're still in service - just lined up waiting for crews to go on duty switching at Taylor yard. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=62545
They may have BEEN waiting, but they are not waiting any more. They were sent to City of Industry because the yard was flat and it was a short run back to LA when they broke down and they broke down...alot. They had bad vibration problems from the 251 8 cylinder engine and the LOOOOOONNG drive shaft that went from the short hood all the way to the back of the long hood. Also while they advertised really good tractive effort, the unbalanced weight distribution cause severe wheel slip problems (they couldn't pull themselves out of their own way). Doesn't mean that I don't like them. Other than being too new for my railroad, I would have to fight hard to keep myself from getting one or two.
Or the transfer run, they used everything but the kitchen sink. I have seen them use SD9's, SW1500's and tunnels pulling the yard transfer from Taylor to Delores
Wish some manufacturer would make a ready to run FM H 10-44 or H12-44. Here is a Shapeways 3D printed model from South Boulder ModelWorks on an Atlas VO-1000 mechanism. It requires a lot of sanding to remove the print lines but it can be done. Wire railings are soldered .008 wire and Gold Medal Models stanchions. It has a Loksound decoder and "sugar cube" speaker under the hood and in the cab. Still need to do some weathering and connect the wiring for the lights.
The Shapeways FM H-10-44/H-12-44 are really nice models. I also like the VO 660 from MMyers, also from Shapeways. They are a bit rough and require a good amount of sanding to clear-up the rough spots. I haven't built up mine yet... but... they are D&RGW prototype models which will go well with the other D&RGW switchers made by some other manufacturers (Atlas FM H-15-44, Atlas & Arnold S2, Atlas RS-3 & Bachmann GE 44 tonner). D&RGW pretty much experimented with several locomotive manufacturers for their switch engines from 1940 until 1964. They finally settled on using EMD products exclusively (SW-1200 & SW-1000). The LifeLike SW9/1200 can be used for the SW-1200.
This is my favorite switcher in real life too. I just finished kitbashing, painting, and decaling this Arnold SW-1.
Fantastic work, Bill. I've shied away from anything Shapeways so far because I couldn't get past the print lines but the newer FXD looks real good. Of course if I go to the trouble of modeling one, some mfg is sure to announce one. On another note, it seems like only yesterday my buddy and I were photographing these things switching the yard at Savanna. Definitely a distinctive sound. Bob
Bob, Thanks! Usually I do, but this time all the Penn Central lettering and numbering was under the stripe, so I just painted and decaled over. Chris
Wow, that looks terrific, Bill. Putting the LokSound in the VO1000 was one of my more challenging projects; now that ESU has a sound file for an FM 38D prime mover, I might have to do a couple of these in NKP. Of course, it would be a LOT easier of Atlas would just make one based on the VO1000 chassis. John C.
Thanks John, there is a lot of room under the FM hood compared to the VO-1000. I even added two keep alive capacitors!
I just finished this SW1 that's been on my "most wanted" list for quite a while. The Arnold mechanism runs very well too.
Didnt realize until I click to make the pic bigger that that is a rolled up winter radiator cover on the front. Nice detail
Lots of great looking models!! I also have a thing for switchers and my all-time favorite in both the real world and model form is the SP SW1500. Here's my kitbash from a while back...
