Critters and Switchers

They seldom got out to run on the mainline, but switch engines are among some of the more interesting locomotives built.

Koppers tie plant in Orrville had this GE critter (top photograph) on the property on July 17, 1981. A few years later the plant closed and the critter was gone.

In the bottom image, Maryland & Pennsylvania SW9 No. 82 is shown at York, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 22, 1979. This unit was built for the Ma & Pa in November 1951.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Tags: center cab locomotives, center cab switchers, EMD locomotives, EMD switchers, GE critters, Koppers tie plant, Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad, Orrville, Robert Farkas photography, SW9, York Pennsylvania