Switchers

These two diesel hydraulic switchers were built in the 1960's. They both have Cummins diesel power. The two operated at a quarry in Ohio before coming to Iowa around 1990.

Originally operating on 38" gauge track (instead of the standard 36") they were regauged in the MCRR shop before entering service here.

Here is the 14 in action at the 2009 Old Threshers' Reunion. The 6 wasn't on the tracks (awaiting its boiler repairs) and the coal Henschel 16 was having some operating difficulties. Usually confined to the switch yard north of the shop, the 14 was put into passenger service for a portion of the Reunion. It also pulled trains during the 2010 and 2011 Reunions, as well as filling in during Midwest Haunted Rails and North Pole Express.

The D-9, sister to the 14, is undergoing a partial restoration. First disassembled in 2009, it has had major repairs performed on its torque converter, a train airbrake actuator, and most of its sheet metal components sandblasted and primed. Perhaps it will be moving under its own power for the 2012 Old Threshers' Reunion!

Below is our Vulcan Locomotive Works unit gasoline switcher. The unit was originally purchased by the Frederick Snare Corporation, Grafton, West Virginia, in February, 1935. The paperwork (of which we have about 50 pages worth in our archives!) reads "Design similar to 'Wyoming' design." It was originally black with white lettering.

(Each picture links to a larger version.)