I'm very fortunate to live in a city with two operable 4-8-4s SP4449 and SP&S700. These engines are exciting to watch and draw a lot of attention.

One type of engine I rarely hear about is one that was in plain sight nearly everywhere, the steam switcher. The yard goats worked at nearly every rail yard in the country yet you rarely see photos of them and only an occasional glimpse on the vintage videos.

Here is a group of engines, and crews, which performed a vital sevice for the railroads. They were worked hard moving cuts of cars in all kinds of conditions.

Does anyone else agree that a video showing switchers at work, stacks barking, brakes squealing, crews demonstrating hand, lantern and whistle signals, would sell? The fine art of kicking cars as well as some of the black arts such as poling required an intense level of teamwork and would be fascinating to watch.

What say you?

Doug B.

dpbpdx@yahoo.com

Our entire railroad is the turntable and leads. Our only operating engine is a 0-4-0T. Visitors seem to really appreciate our switching moves as we shift things around.

Project 1225 is going to have a similar goat up and running for visitors when the mainline power is cold starting this year.

New Hope Valley RR is going to run another 0-4-0T on their short run, and the Hawk Mountain Line in PA runs tankers exclusively.

If you like the little stuff like I do, go to Wales and ride the narrow gauge.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net