Alco switcher detailing

[tstage]

Hi Everyone!

Doies anyone out there have any pics of an early ALCO S1 switcher? I'm interested in detailing one of the "heavy versions" - i.e. those bulit between '40 and '41.

I am particularly interested in the top of the shell, where the radiator piping/gauge(?) and "grating"(?) is located. (Forgive me for butchering the terminology.) I am working on a NYC #687 switcher. From what I understand, these were later renumbered in '48, and again in '66.

I appreciate any help any of you can give me. [:)] Thanks!

Tom

[Anonymous]

Dear Tom,


These Links might help.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-loco.html

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-switcher.html

http://www.railspot.com/gif/railspot/msql/roster/NYC02.HTM

http://www.railspot.com/gif/railspot/msql/serial/AL69100.HTM

http://www.railspot.com/gif/railspot/msql/serial/AL69200.HTM


What you see is what you get; as per the TV Programme from the Sixties.

The Central had a Variegated Roster.

[tstage]

Thanks, Al! Found one photo of #687 (after it was changed to #902) but not of the top of the shell like I had hoped. On the other hand, the historical data from the NYC roster (i.e. owner(s), fabrication date, change of #'s, etc.) was GREAT!!! Thanks again!!!

Tom

[tstage]

I noticed from your profile that you are a retired locomotive engineer. Would you have any knowledge about the color scheme for the NYC buildings, particularly the interlocking tower?

I've gotten a couple of varying opinions. One says light gray with dark gray trim. Another says Glidden Clearwater & Glidden Evergreen. (The latter is what I had originally been told.) Many thanks again for those helpful link on the switchers. =O)

Tom

[Anonymous]

Dear Tom.


We visited the Central back in the Sixties just before the PC Merger. Lovely Railroad, but, worn out. The end was near, and it showed.

Rolling Diesel Spotters Guide!!!, which had not come out yet. Saw almost everything Built except for Lima powered Limas and Central PAs. Saw EMD Repowered C Lines years before, but, did not know that until we check Numbers with a Roster. Sharks came later on the MRy.

Literally dozens of Alco Switchers in every Paint Scheme everywhere one looked on NYC, PRR, NH and most Industrials.

We could read Builder's Plates, but, don't recall seeing any NYC Switchers before 1944 or so. Different Story on NH and CV.

Since then have learned a lot more by fine Rosters in Magazines, and, with the Internet.

Alco used the SMALL Cast iron Alco Plate on it's EARLY S Series Switchers into 1941????? So if one sees a Photo of a 539 with the Small Plate its OLD!!!

This Small Alco was used on Alco Industrial Steam and some of the First Alco DL 109 Twin Engine Passenger Diesels.

There has to be an Expert that knows when Alco changed from the Small Alco Plate to the Large Alco-GE Plate in Brass as Applied to the RS1.

I understand the First Alco S Series had a Almost Flush Circular Fan visible from the ground. Later Ss getting a Square Box above Fan. Another Spotting Feature of an OLD Alco. Did they get Covered as a Retro Fit? to keep feet out??


Check Kirkland Alco Book for Vintage Photos of First S1 and First S2.

( There is a Dec. 1941 S1 Pictured in the Kirkland Book bound for a Munitions Plant in Canada in the Month of Pearl Harbour. This Locomotive was sold after the War, and is still IN SERVICE in Southern Ontario in sight of Detroit. )

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/industrial/ont/hearn200.jpg

It does NOT look this great, now.

Apparently, in the early years, NYC said the Builder's Plates on Diesels were to be mounted on Cab end of Locomotive. Baldwin had to move their Round Plate from Front to Cab side. Don't know how long this was 'Standard.'

There are several fine Books on the Central which may contain more photos of the Pre-1944 Diesels. I had FORGOTTEN about the Visors over the Headlights.

As I recall, the Central's Buildings were a Grayish Colour with Dark Trim, but, you could check the Sixties Colour Photos of the U25Bs and Alco Centuries. and the like for Background details.

As per following Link.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc2508.jpg

The Central has been gone a LONG TIME!!!

[Anonymous]

Dear Tom,

I have been perusing the NYC Switcher Photos and found some interesting details.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc863ark.jpg

Above Left Rear Truck is a Wood Push Pole. This fits into the ' Polling Pocket ' on the Locomotive Frame to the Right of the Vertical Hand Rail at the Front Steps. ( There is a Pocket on all Four Corners. )

On a Steam Engine Pole Carried under Side of Tender.

This Pole is held Horizontally by a Crewmember to Mate with a similar Pocket on a Freight Car on an Adjacent Track and Locomotive inched until Pole in place. Pole held by ' Push.'

They then can Push Cars without entering Track Cars are on with Locomotive as may be other Cars in way on same Track being loaded or unloaded at Shed Doors or Oil Pipes.

This Polling Procedure was super risky for the guy on the ground if Cars being Pushed hit other Cars Standing. Men Killed and Injured and was Outlawed in Sixties.

Switcher Crews ALWAYS had a bunch of Goodies to help Switch, especially in tight Industrial settings on Wharfs and Refrigerated Warehouses.

Account Tight Curves, Drawbars might not line up to Couple properly, Flat Steel Bars or Track Joint Bars with Long Pins or Bolts carried on Engine to Bridge between Locomotive and Car, Long Pins going into holes of Knuckles, then Car Moved to better location.

Check Out Hood Door Louvres in Following;

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc826s.jpg

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc834s.jpg

The Central's evolution in Exhaust Stacks is Interesting.