Layout at a Glance
From 1948-1952, operating sessions on the layout will provide an interesting study of the evolution of road switchers on the New Haven Railroad. While some of these classes were on the property earlier, they were initially assigned to other jobs (such as the initial delivery of the DERS-2b's on the Berkshire line).
1948 - DERS-1b's (passenger)
1949 - DERS-1b's (passenger); DERS-2b's (freight)
1950 - DERS-1b's (passenger); DERS-2b's (freight)
1951 - DERS-2b's (passenger); DERS-2c's (freight)
1952 - DERS-2c's (all except HDX-5, 131, 136)
DERS-1b Assignments
- 4/24/49 - 0661 - 157, 444, 472, 474
- 4/24/49 - 0662 - 446, 463
- 4/24/49 - 0665 - 421
- 10/2/50 - 0660 - 421
- 10/2/50 - 0661 - 446, 463
- 10/2/50 - 0663 - 444, Inspection
DERS-1b Models
Atlas has a nice model (7106, 7107) in the second paint scheme (beyond my era) and (7117, 7118) in the McGinnis scheme. So I will start with the undecorated models (7100).
"New Havenizing" modifications planned:
- Add steam generator stack
- Add steam generator intake
- Add poling pockets (Atlas-994229)
- Add passenger buffers (Custom Finishing-306)
- Add markers
- Add MU jumpers in end railing
- Add additional underframe piping
- Add sanding pipes
- Add handbrake chain guides (Custom Finishing-147)
- Add air distribution valve
- Move fuel fill to front of cab
- Move fuel overflow pipe to short hood
- Modify short hood number boards (0660-0669)
The number boards could be quite a challenge and might be skipped, but the remaining modifications shouldn't be too bad.
DERS-2b Assignments
- 4/24/49 - 0502 - NY-2, YN-3
- 4/24/49 - 0503 - NY-4, YN-3
- 4/24/49 - 0510 - 131, 136
- 10/2/50 - 0502 - NY-2, YN-3
- 10/2/50 - 0503 - NY-4, YN-1
- 10/2/50 - 0508 - NY-2, YN-3
In 1950, locomotives 0504, 0507, 0510, 0512, 0513, 0514 and 0516 are assigned to the Hartford Division.
DERS-2b Models
Along with many brass releases, two versions of the RS-2 have been released in plastic. Kato released one a few years ago, fellow NH modeler Jim Fellowes says the NYC-lettered one has the appropriate details. Other modelers have pointed out that the fan housing is too tall.
The other model is the Life-Like/Walthers Proto 1000 model It has been released in the delivery scheme, among others. They decided to skip grab irons altogether, adding nbw detail and small dimples to drill and install your own. I prefer this approach to the molded grabs, since I won't have to scrape any off. The ones painted in the delivery scheme were also conveniently numbered as #0503 and #0510.
"New Havenizing" modifications planned:
- Add markers
- Add sand pipes
- Add handbrake chain guides (Custom Finishing-147)
- Add MU jumpers (Custom Finishing-347)
- Add passenger buffers (Custom Finishing-306)
- Add uncoupling levers
- Add all grab irons
- Add steam generator stack (Custom Finishing-151)
- Add steam generator intake
- Add lift rings
- Add poling pockets (Atlas-994229)
- Add short hood horn
- Add fuel overflow pipe
- Add fuel tank modifications
DERS-2c Assignments
- 4/27/52 - 526 - NY-2, YA-1
- 4/27/52 - 530 - NY-2, YN-1
- 4/27/52 - 531 - AY-1, YN-1
- 4/27/52 - 537 - 463
- 4/27/52 - 545 - 444
- 4/27/52 - 546 - 157, 421, 446, 472
DERS-2c Models
The RS-3 is available from more manufacturers than any other New Haven locomotive. Bowser sells the old Stewart kit version, Atlas, Athearn and Bachmann all have additional versions, not to mention several brass releases.
I'm using the Athearn model, part #94060 road number #520 for the phase Ia models. It comes in the delivery scheme for #517-536. The reason I'm using this model is because it's the only version available with the original water-cooled stack. For the phase Ib locomotives I'm using the undecorated Athearn model (94000).
From what I've read, other modelers seem to prefer the tooling on the Athearn model as well, although the motors in the Atlas ones are considered superior.
Hobbytown also released a model in kit form some time ago that is no longer available. Although I've seen many modelers reference it as the best in terms of the body contours, the grab irons are molded on. It was available as a cast metal powered unit, or an unpowered plastic model.
The old Stewart kit is available from Bowser, although they don't have a drive for it yet. It also has cast on details. These models are available in the three major phases.
"New Havenizing" modifications planned:
- Add steam generator intake
- Add poling pockets (Atlas-994229)
- Add markers
- Add grab iron to top of hood ends
- Add small round stack
- Add cab signal box, reroute railing (Custom Finishing-125)
- Add cooling coils (Custom Finishing-152)
- Add handbrake chain guides (Custom Finishing-147)
- Add sand pipes
- Add fuel overflow pipe
- Add speed recorder
- Add uncoupling lever and pilot grabs
- Add drop steps (units 537-561)
- Add passenger buffers (units 517-536)
- Add MU Receptacles (units 537-561)(Detail Associates 1507)
- Add cross supports to fan grill
- Add hood lift rings
- Add windshield wipers (Cal Scale 190-419)
- Move short hood horn forward
- Replace battery boxes (units 517-536)
- Replace grab irons (Cal Scale 190-529,530,532,533)
- Correct end railings (units 517-536)
- Reshape pilot and add missing rivets
DERS-3 Assignments
- 10/2/50 - 563 - 157, 472 (when received)
- 10/2/50 - 569 - 131, 136 (when received)
DERS-3 Models
Although listed in the Engine Assignment book for October 1950 (which indicates they are assigned when delivered to the New Haven), I have no in service evidence on any passenger or freight trains on the Highland in my era. In addition, nobody that I'm aware of remembers seeing them in this service on the Highland.
There are, however, pictures of 591 and 594 in freight service in later years. Atlas released very nice models in the delivery scheme, though, so I plan to add them to the roster in the future.