HI Guys: Wondering what kind of locomotives are being used as Yard switchers these days -- Ive seen an SD45 (the long snoot) being used at belen, but beyond that I'm not really sure what is used -- what would be good for me to put into service on my Layout? (modern day) TIM
At the yard in Hearne, Texas, the UP usually has a couple four axle EMDs or GEs like GP60s, GP38-2s and Dash8s.
What railroad do you model? Most Class Is use 4-axle, latter-model EMD GPs: GP-38, GP-38-2, GP-40, GP-40-2, GP-60. They usually run two of them back-to-back so they can move in any direction without turning.
At BNSF's Cherokee Yard, they still have at least one SW1500. For shoving over the hump they tend to use a couple of older six axle roadswitchers, and for heavier flat switching jobs an old roadswitcher or two with a slug.
CSX in many cases was using Mother & slug combinations in yard service. The Mother generally being a GP38 or GP40 and the slugs being ballasted GP30's and GP35's with their prime mover and main generators removed. The Mother would supply electrical current to the slug up to 25 MPH. With the coming of PSR and PTC and the necessity to equip both cabs for PTC, I don't know what CSX is currently doing as I retired 6 years ago.
I model the san luis and rio grande in a slightly alternate universe where it has been bought out by BNSF -- and is now a heavy traffic bridge route -- b/c the southern transcon is GONE due to huge earthquake, and nuclear / Chemical weapon contamination UP has rights and theres lots of share and share alike for power TIM
Well, since you're proto-lancing, any pair of 4-axle diesels would do. Since you're a fellow modern-era modeler, here's the rub: Although 4-axle GPs are not hard to find, most of the EMD GPs on the market DO NOT have ditch lights. And in many cases, the modern switchers have both front and rear ditchlights. It's possible to roll your own, and below-deck-mounted ditch lights are easier to install than deck-mounted ones.
In my vicinity, BNSF is often using various versions and upgrades of four axles, such as GP38-2, GP39-2, GP39-3 as switchers. And they even use the SD40-2 for locals and switching..
The BNSF yard in Laurel MT is switched by MRL locos, and the most common is single SD40-2s, often using remote control.
A variety of 6-axle power is used for switching and local service up here in Gavin Yard in Minot, ND. Mostly SD40-2s, but some SD60Ms also see switching assignments.
I caught this one in Carrolton TX (DFW Area) just under 2 weeks ago so some of the genset style units are still out there.
No, I was merely documenting the razing of the only hump tower in North Dakota, built by GN in 1956. It's all gone now, replaced by a character-less white prefab building.
