soon after i get a yard on my layout i’ll need a switcher but i don’t know what to use
i conidered a model power 4-wheeled switcher but would that pull 7-10 cars?what would a present day RR use (particulary BNSF)
or i could get a model power gp-9 dual drive i know that would pull 10 cars (the only reason i’m considering a mp gp-9 is they’re only $30 at hobbylinc)
what scale and era are you modeling? Present day roads are using a lot of second generation power,probally rebuilds or down graded horsepower,gp-35’s 38’s etc.FWIW,if you’re in HO, I’d recomend looking for a p2k or athearn gp-9.they’re better runners.Also p2k s-1’s are still available cheap.
ho scale present day BNSF i’m open to any brand of gp-9 gp-35 gp-38 it’s just model power’s was only $30 i wasn’t sure who else had cheap gp-##
Model Power locomotives are usually terrible mechanisms that don’t last, and that’s why they’re so cheap. You’d be better off with an Athearn Blue Box kit locomotive or, as others have suggested, a P1K, P2K, or even a Bachmann Spectrum.
i’ve never had experience with model power loco’s i wasn’t sure about them but if they are junk i won’t buy one maybe i’ll find a good used athearn b-b gp-38 i rather like the b-b’s besides thy can often be had for $20 and they last forever
a good BNSF switcher. Find an Athearn SW-1500. BNSF still use them and the model isn’t that hard to find and is decently priced.
James
Ive seen SD60’s used for yard work.
ICMR
Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
SW1000, SW1500, MP15, GP15, GP30, GP35, GP38, SD38, SD9
Dave H.
thanks everyone i may get a sw1000/1500 or gp-38 only time will tell i’ll wait and see if a deal comes along[:D](they usually do)
You could always try to kitbash something along the lines of a GP20D. That is definitely present day. Check it out on EMD’s website.
If you don’t mind older, first generation diesels, the Alco S1 (Proto 2000) and the Baldwin VO-660 or VO-1000 (Stewart) would work just great. The Proto 2000 S1 can be had from Trainworld.com for as cheap as $29.99. All of them are great switdhers but they won’t be in the BNSF paint scheme. I guess you could still get one an repaint it…
Tom
trainfreak409 i took a look at that link and it said one gp20d is equal to one gp38-2 so i’ll wait for that athearn b-b deal -i could do a patch job and just cover up the logo that is on it with a BNSF logo if i had to-- it could also be BN or santa fe (don’t forget the real BNSF hasn’t repainted everything yet)
An Athearn BB sw unit (sw-7, 1000, 1500) in BN can probably be gotten off ebay for 20-30$, I think I picked up a new one for about that last year.
Like most railroads, they probably use whatever’s sittin around.
CP uses a SW900(#1015) and I believe a SW1200(#1000) at GM in Oshawa, Ontario to move Auto Parts box cars around. They usually have another loco lashed up to it. Sometimes they will use one to move full and empty auto racks, again lashed up to another loco or 2.
I’ve seen BNSF switching the east yard in Denver with:
two SD40-2
SD60 & SD40-2
GP38 & GP40
and last Friday, for the first time, B23-7 & GP38-2 as pictured below.
about 5 years ago they were switching with two SD9s.
UP is switching with:
two GP-15s
They always use two locomotives.
I am going to use a SD60 to switch my yard.
ICMR
Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Texas, that first loco in your pic is really smoking(must be under heavy load) it makes sense that BNSF would use older and possibly worn-out engines for switching. suppose i’ll use an athearn b-b gp38 or 38-2 once i find another one
bnsf also uses sd40-2s with remote control componets in yards as well as gp’s with remote control. where i live ive seen regular road sd40-2s used for yard/local work
tom
maybe i’ll get an sd40-2 for freight hauling and retire on of my gp38-2’s to switching