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Switcher Suggestion

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Switcher Suggestion
Posted by corsiar on Saturday, June 22, 2019 5:06 PM

I am modeling the UP Cheyenne yard in N scale on my layout current era. What would be a good switcher to use?

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Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, June 22, 2019 5:57 PM

What I see for yard/local power in my neck of UP's woods are GP15, GP40, and downgraded SD40-2 types.  I've also seen some old GP60 engines once in a while. 

Jeff

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Posted by BRAKIE on Saturday, June 22, 2019 7:40 PM

corsiar

I am modeling the UP Cheyenne yard in N scale on my layout current era. What would be a good switcher to use?

 

A GP38-2 seems to be a good choice or a GP40-2 mother/slug set. As Jeff mention drowngraded SD40-2s would work as would GP15s and MP15s.

Larry

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Posted by dknelson on Sunday, June 23, 2019 6:25 PM

What era for UP?  They used end cab switchers back in the day but some were interestingly modified.

Dave Nelson

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Posted by SPSOT fan on Sunday, June 23, 2019 7:05 PM

Yes, of course era is most important, perhas even more important than location or even railroad.

Assuming it's the modern era, GP series locos of almost any era, provided UP still rosters them, would work. Also smaller and/or older SD series stuff and MP and SW series. Finally UP dos have quite a few Genset loco motives, though a recent thread relvealed there are no ready to run N scale genset currently on the market. Again make sure everything is still on the UP roster, as most yard power is quite old. Also UPY reporting marks indicates most yard power.

The OP will have to say if they are modeling a different time period.

Regards, Isaac

I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!

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Posted by corsiar on Sunday, June 23, 2019 7:46 PM

Modern era present day.

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Posted by xdford on Sunday, June 23, 2019 8:58 PM

Hi there,

Cannot vouch for what UP does today but when I visited over 40 years ago (and the pattern according to correspondents up to the 90's) UP used a lot of locos about 15-18 years old and bumped from road service.  So in 1977, I saw a GP20 switching in Cheyenne, what I think was an SW9 in Salt Lake City  and both these types in Denver apparently on switcher duty.

So taking the premise you are modelling this year, I would be looking at units that were delivered circa late 1990's-2004 that are still on the roster... but it is your railroad!

Cheers from Australia

Trevor

 

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Posted by nealknows on Monday, June 24, 2019 7:39 AM

The UP uses Geep switchers for yard work today. This link is for the cam in Kansas City, MO rail cam and you can see the yard switcher out there various times of the day. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqfVimXp_tM

Neal

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Posted by corsiar on Monday, June 24, 2019 11:07 AM

Thanks I will keep an eye on it.

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Posted by corsiar on Monday, June 24, 2019 12:05 PM

Was looking on Google maps and found an angle on the overpass with two locos parked in front of the steam shop. Does anyone have an idea what the switcher is? This is the best image and cant see the number. The other one is a SD40-2 that one I can figure out or could it be one rebuilt into a SD38-2?

 

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Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, June 24, 2019 7:57 PM

Hello All,

My thought is pratical versus prototypical.

Let me begin by saying, I have no experience in N scale.

I model in HO so my curve radii won't be exact but frog numbers should translate.

Realizing...

corsiar
I am modeling the UP Cheyenne yard

With most scale modeling compromises need to be made for space constraints.

What are the smallest turnouts being used in your yard?

corsiar
What would be a good switcher to use?

There would not be a single switching unit(s) used over another, especially in the modern era.

On the prototype, I agree, larger 4-axle and 6-axle diesels would be used for switching duties. Especially in the hump yard with larger frogs.

The switching section of my 4'x8' pike looks more like a Time Saver puzzle over an actual yard (yes, I designed it that way).

The smallest radii of my trackage is 15-inches (HO scale)- -I'm not sure what that translates into N scale.

Most of the turnouts are #4 frogs with a few #2 (PECO).

Depending on the size of the turnouts on your pike smaller 4-axle diesels would be more appropriate.

I am a huge fan of B-units, cow & calf units and slugs.

Modern yards employ some of these.

I recall a recent post inquiring about "Does anyone manufacture this odd looking locomotive?"

Have you considered a yard specific lash-up of one or a combination of these units?

I have a SW-1500 cow & calf unit for heavy switching duties. In the tight confines of my yard, at 3,000 hp (scale) and 8-axles, the tractive effort is welcome.

Other than that have you considered an un-prototypical lease from the Canadian National?

The modern CN switchers are compact, powerful and plausible, as leased or loaned units.

Hope this helps.

 

 

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Posted by corsiar on Monday, June 24, 2019 8:03 PM

I am using all PECO medium radius turnouts which I think is a #6(10deg) frog with a 18" radius. Most of my minium radius are 15" with a few 12".

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Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, June 24, 2019 8:29 PM

Hello All,

Thank you for the quick reply.

With the dimensions of the trackage you described, and the era you are modeling, I would say any and all of the above suggestions would be plausible as switching possibilities.

Now, you just have to consider the budget of being able to purchase one of each.

Hope this helps.

Post Script: Modern switching duties are carried out with various motive power, given the livery of the rail road. Knowing the roster of the line your are modeling can help in your decision in which loco will best represent your pike. H.T.H.

 

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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Posted by corsiar on Monday, June 24, 2019 11:34 PM

One engine will be enough I think. My max train length is around 62" so 18-20 cars. Got a GP35 i bought 25 years ago but they are no longer in use. Also got a SD45 which are no more. 

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Posted by trolleyboy on Monday, July 8, 2019 6:56 PM

corsiar

Was looking on Google maps and found an angle on the overpass with two locos parked in front of the steam shop. Does anyone have an idea what the switcher is? This is the best image and cant see the number. The other one is a SD40-2 that one I can figure out or could it be one rebuilt into a SD38-2?

 That's an MP15 series can't tell from the angle if it's an MP15AC or MP15T you would have to check a roster for the number to see what it is.number.UP inherrited quite a few of the MP15 types from their various merger partners. Athearn and Atlas have done the whole run of MP15's in HO not sure if they were put out in N

 

 

 

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