The GE 44-ton switcher is a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Electric between 1940 and 1956. It was designed for industrial and light switching duties, often replacing steam locomotives that had previously been assigned these chores.
This locomotive's specific 44-short ton weight was directly related to one of the efficiencies the new diesel locomotives offered compared to their steam counterparts: reduced labor intensity. In the 1940s, the steam to diesel transition was in its infancy in North America, and railroad unions were trying to protect the locomotive fireman jobs that were redundant with diesel units. One measure taken to this end was the 1937 so-called "90,000 Pound Rule," a stipulation that locomotives weighing 90,000 pounds (41,000 kg) – 45 short tons – or more required a fireman in addition to an engineer on common carrier railroads.The 44-ton locomotive was designed to abrogate this requirement.
Other manufacturers also built 44-ton switchers of center-cab configuration.
The WWSL
In the Saginaw Timber Company alternative history, the Company retired all the steam locomotives and purchased first generation diesel locomotives.
For interplant switching, the STC operates two switchers, GE 44 tons #10 and #11. They are Phase IV models.
Modeling Information
Don Dover in issue #51 (March/April
1975) of Extra 2200 South differentiates 5 model phases with 10
sub-phases based on appearance. There is an enormous amount of
information on these locomotives in this and the following issue,
including a full roster of all 44-tonners built. GE did not
differenciate their 44 tons in this manner.
Model Manufacturer: Bachmann Spectrum Edtion locomotive. This represents a Phase IV GE 44 ton locomotive.
Decoder: To be determined.
Paint Scheme: Rock Island Red with white visibility stripes on hoods and side sills.
Weathering: Assumption is the units were painted by the company after their arrival, and units are in a very well maintained shape. No need to turn the models into rust buckets.
Project Process.
Kitbatching Infomation.
References:
September 1978 issue of Model Railroader magazine has scale drawings.
Don Dover, Issue #51 (March/April 1975) of Extra 2200 South also may june 1975
Randy Brittons website New Britain Station
- 44-tonner
- Phase Ic (1:87 scale): Drawn by Jacques Belanger. Used by permission.
- Phase IIa (1:87 scale): Drawn by Jacques Belanger. Used by permission.
- Late model (1:25 scale): Drawn by Joshua Moldover. Used by permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment