My HO-scale P1K C-Liner (NYC 6603) is the best-running model locomotive I own. It's a real pig on the small sidings, but works great. It is absolutely beautiful. Being at sea with a F-M O-P thrumming away is reassuring. My baby doesn't care that I'm nuts.

A C-Liner? That's pretty crazy. Normally you wouldn't want a full bodied loco to back up with repeatedly since it hinders vision. I know that's why the Green Bay and Western traded their FA1's for RS3's.

gbwdude Wrote:A C-Liner? That's pretty crazy. Normally you wouldn't want a full bodied loco to back up with repeatedly since it hinders vision. I know that's why the Green Bay and Western traded their FA1's for RS3's.

That seems to be a myth..Several short lines used F units in switching service.

For years the Aberdeen & Rockfish rostered a F3 and GP7 both did local switching.The WAG used F7s after selling their GE 125 and 132 ton centered cab locomotives.
There are many more examples..Some class 1s used F units as well in local service..

The covered wagons were in effect outlawed by the FRA when the switching step requirement was put in place in the late 70's for locomotives used in switching service, so if you model before Sept 30, 1979 you are OK.(If you really care).
((3) Locomotives without corner stairway openings may not be used to perform any switching service after September 30, 1979 except passenger car switching service at passenger stations.) cfr-2011-title 49, vol 4 section 231.30
read more here
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As far as hindering vision, you have a brakeman and a conductor and also a radio, and before radios there were flagmen to relayu signals. If you think the engineer really can see what he is doing in reverse you never spent much time in a locomotive.

Charlie

As far as hindering vision, you have a brakeman and a conductor and also a radio, and before radios there were flagmen to relayu signals. If you think the engineer really can see what he is doing in reverse you never spent much time in a locomotive.

Charlie
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That's why engineers turned the seat sideways with the back of the seat against the window.This gave them a nice view out of the cab door or window.

Note the position of the engineer in this photo..The urban local was making a reverse move.



Seven years after taking this photo I would be called to work this job.

FWIW, if the industry is not a railroad it is not governed by FRA, and therefore the C Liner would not be outlawed for use in switching.

The PEPCo power generating station near here used an F10 (rebuilt F unit) as plant switcher in the late 90's-early 2000's. Because the plant was not under FRA jurisdiction and not operated by railroad employees it was completely legit.

Dave

Just to make things really interesting; the Haysi Railroad used an F7B unit for handling coal from the mines at Haysi, VA. This was until at least 1983, when CSX merged the line into their system and continues to operate the 7 mile branch. Here's a photo of Haysi No. 1 F7B: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPic...id=1443619. Note the bell and additional porthole window on the unit. Now that would raise a lot of eyebrow's at your operating sessions!

FCIN Wrote:Just to make things really interesting; the Haysi Railroad used an F7B unit for handling coal from the mines at Haysi, VA. This was until at least 1983, when CSX merged the line into their system and continues to operate the 7 mile branch. Here's a photo of Haysi No. 1 F7B: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPic...id=1443619. Note the bell and additional porthole window on the unit. Now that would raise a lot of eyebrow's at your operating sessions!

Proof there is a prototype for everything. While I would call it an F7B as you do, is it really a B since the B stands for booster. Of course in this instance the B could designate something else. Don't forget the Crandals on the CNW (way off topic here)

Charlie

Charlie B Wrote:Proof there is a prototype for everything. While I would call it an F7B as you do, is it really a B since the B stands for booster.

It was indeed an F7B. It was built in 1949 as an F3B and later upgraded to F7B. Unit was Clinchfield Railroad F7B No. 852, retired April 1970 and sold to the Haysi Railroad in April 1972. It was equipped with radio control and a "makeshift cab". Quite unusual to say the least and a one of a kind as far as I know.

Well I'll toss in my 2 cents... Over at Steamtown in Scranton. They normally use one or both of our F-3's as switchers, even though they own a GP-9. The odd thing is that they when they are using both they will only start one up and toe the other unit dead, not even using it as a cab.. For some reason they don't like to disconnect the units after they have been MU'd. They'll just pull it around as a boat anchor.

Wow... I guess I was misinformed. I was just going off the information that I knew of at the time. It's quite interesting they'd use a F7B for switching. And yes, Charlie B, I have not spent much time in a cab of a locomotive but I do know that RS-3's have a great field of vision around them. I rode in the NYC 8255 out in Baldwin City, KS last year and that was a beautiful sight (and sound!) to behold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtCET3UsZSc

Wow... I guess I was misinformed. I was just going off the information that I knew of at the time.
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Tyler,You was bitten by all things railroad which means always expect the unexpected since railroads use their locomotives as needed.PRR was not above putting a E8A on a local as a fill in.

I had a picture of a K4 on a short work train.N&W used a Y6B as a yard switcher at PenNor yard in Columbus(Oh).PRR used a 2-10-0 as a switcher at PenNor.

Charlie B Wrote:

FCIN Wrote:Just to make things really interesting; the Haysi Railroad used an F7B unit for handling coal from the mines at Haysi, VA. This was until at least 1983, when CSX merged the line into their system and continues to operate the 7 mile branch. Here's a photo of Haysi No. 1 F7B: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPic...id=1443619. Note the bell and additional porthole window on the unit. Now that would raise a lot of eyebrow's at your operating sessions!

Proof there is a prototype for everything. While I would call it an F7B as you do, is it really a B since the B stands for booster. Of course in this instance the B could designate something else. Don't forget the Crandals on the CNW (way off topic here)

Charlie

Actually the model is EMD B unit not booster since there was several different B units in EMDs catalog.
Even the GP7/9 B was ordered as a B Unit.

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Booster was a catchy railfan term.