Just finished the exchange with the main and started to work on my shortline the other day .Now I get to go shopping for 2 engines for it . I would love some GE44’s but none are available right now. Anyone have any good recommendations ? I model the NYC and Reading in and around 196? so something small and different than would be found on those roads would be great. Thanks
Small switching locomotives would be a good choice, either a Life-Like SW9 or a Rapido S2. Possibly an Atlas RS3 or GP7. Most single engine short lines I was familiar with had either an Alco S1 or S2 or an older EMD SW-series. GE 44-tonners were not a popular short line engine as they 1. had two prime movers (more to maintain) and 2. couldn't pull anything much.
A lot of the switching operations around my area use secondhand EMD GP7/9's. This really doesn't fit your modeling era, but you don't have to follow those trends exactly. I would recommend the following as possible short line power: Life Like GP20 or SD7's. Both models should still be available from some dealers, and both are probably priced reasonably. And, since you are using it for a short line, the road name is unimportant. You can buy any road name, and either repaint it or "patch" it as a second hand purchase. Remember that some short lines don't repaint their units, only painting over the old road name and adding their own. [ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: Kevin Stevens ]</p>
I would go with a SW 9, GP7/9, one of those IC/PADUCAH rebuild units. It depends what area you are modelling. Is there a locomotive rebuilder in the area? Maybe the railroad rebuilds a few engines as needed or for other customers. I would not be using 6 axle units, most short lines that I see don't use them unless they do lot of heavy train haul. The LOUISVILLE & INDIANA RAILROAD (prototype in the area) does a lot of engine rebuilds, and they get engines from all over. You would be surprised at what they have in their yard.
There's a good article in this months Trains magazine about a company which leases old Alco locomotives to small railroads and industries. They claim that they have a booming business and can lease an Alco for half the amount of a GE or EMD unit.
I'll second the remark about six axle power on short lines. Our Roadmaster on the AN threatened to resign, along with the entire MOW crew, if six axle power ever showed up. The ASAB traded its SD9's to MidSouth for four axle GP10's as they were rarely used. If you're back in the pre-1968 era (which you'd have to be with NYC), the only "old" road power available in the resale market and also in N scale would be RS-1's.
Don't forget that some short lines were owned or in some way affiliated with a larger railroad. The Monongahela comes to mind. They had ex NYC sharks hand-me-downs. Even kept the cigar band paint scheme. In the early days of diesel there was a lot of experimenting going on by the class 1 roads. Gradually they settled on one or two manufacturers like EMD and ALCO if for nothing else than to simplify maintenance and parts inventory. Those engines that were not selected were then fair game to be sold or traded. For a short line in this period any first generation unit might be acceptable if the time period is late 60's If earlier you might even go with a 2-8-0. They were long gone from mainline class 1 operations and relegated to branch lines in the 50's.
Great suggestions regarding shortline power. I was thinking the GP7/9 rebuild until I reread the post and saw the time frame - 1960's. The Paducahs were only being thought of at that time. I'd go with Gregg's suggestions on ALCo RS1's or even a hand-me-down RS3. Second generation locos are only a few years old at this point and most early Geeps are still within their trusts and very much in favour on the Class 1's. A Ph1 GP7 would also fit the bill, as would a back dated SW. The S2 is another good choice, though I can't comment on their running characteristics. I'd keep it 4-axle too. Randy, in the end it's your call - it's your shortline. Gary.
Randy, An ALCO RS-11 might be useful. If you like six axles, while an SD wouldn't be appropriate, an ALCO RSC 2 or 3 might do the trick. Their wheel arrangements were A-1-A if I remember correctly. The extra axle helped distribute the locomotive's weight which came in handy for service on lighter rail. If you're adventurous and want something unusual, you could convert an RS-3 into a hammerhead unit (high short hood). Pennsy and Western Maryland had one. The WM version had dynamic brakes and a steam generator in the high hood. Looks interesting at least! "Look Ahead, Look South" - The Southern
Like everyone here has said..... If it were me, and I were modeling a 60s-era shortline, I'd have EMD switchers, an Alco S2 or S4, maybe an RS1, RS2, RS3, or one of the RSC3s. If they were available in N scale, I'd go for a Baldwin switcher. I don't know what your traffic base is, but I'd also recommend an Alco RSD4- high tonnage hauling at low speeds. Now, if the line were more prosperous, perhaps some first-generation Geeps would do the job. On my own railroad, I have an RSD4 for shortline power, and a Geep 7 for the Class 1 interchange (for now ).
How about a Kato Mikado? There were still a few shortlines in the '60s running secondhand steam. If you're dead-set on going the diesel route, I'd suggest an older Alco such as a RS-1, RS-2, RSC-2, or S-2. If you want to be really odd, how about a pair of full body units such as FA-1's or F3's?
Hi Brian - That line up of some RS1, RS2 and RS3 and some FA-2's sounds familiar - thats the Ann Arbor's roster from the mid 1960's before they started replacing the FA-2's with GP-35's in the late 1960's using the Alco trucks. The Annie is an excellent example of a prototype for a shortline. As far as those Atlas GP-38's in DT&I, it may happen - they just released some in HO..........
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ajb: Hi Brian - That line up of some RS1, RS2 and RS3 and some FA-2's sounds familiar - thats the Ann Arbor's roster from the mid 1960's before they started replacing the FA-2's with GP-35's in the late 1960's using the Alco trucks.<hr></blockquote> Actually, the Annie had some newer Alcos on order(I'm thinking Century series) before the DT&I took over. After the DT&I takeover, they standardized on EMD power. I do believe the GP45 trucks came from the traded-in FA2's. [ 20 August 2001: Message edited by: BrianS ]</p>
