Switchers, once something rostered in great numbers by many railroads, are now mostly used by shortlines and industries. Many manufacturers built switchers of various styles, though the top name in the game was EMD, though ALCo, Baldwin, and Fairbanks Morse also built many a switcher. The most common configuration for a switcher was the "end-cab", such as this FM unit:
But another configuration also existed, though was considerably less common - this is the "center-cab" switcher, which is what today's subject is, specifically a GE 45-Ton. GE would build various switchers of various sizes, both center and end cabs.
Here's a GE 45-Ton, this one once serving the North Carolina Ports Authority, though it's now a museum piece at the NC Transportation Museum.
The GE 45-Ton was built from April 1941 until October of 1956.
They were powered by two diesel prime movers, one on either side of the cab - on the 45 these were Cummins, either the HBI-600 or the 855NTC.
These prime movers transmitted power through two GE 1503 generators to 2 GE 733 traction motors.
Each of the 2 axle trucks had one traction motor powering one axle directly, and the second axle was connected by either side rods (like L3 above) or, on the later production units, chains concealed inside the truck frames.
The 45-Ton was designed for switching industrial plants, yards, and places where clearance was limited.
Thus, the top speed on them was a blistering 20mph, which was more than adequate for their intended purpose.
Amazingly, there are several still performing their intended duty as switchers, for various industries in various locales.
Also, of course, there are several preserved examples, both functional and non-functional.
A short article today, perhaps appropriate given the 45's diminutive size.
Anyway, thanks for looking!
Appears the museum is doing a good job keeping these in good shape.