Drawing # geswitcher

General Electric 45-ton Military / Industrial switcher

General Electric built many 45 ton switchers that were purchased by industrial railroads and the U.S. military.  These owners were exempt from federal and union regulations which required two-person crews on any locomotive exceeding 44 ton capacity.  My drawing is based upon either a locomotive at the Pacific Southwest Railroad Musuem in Campo, California, or the one shown below at the Orange Empire Railroad Museum in Perris, California.  To be honest, I don't remember which!

Built in 1945, this General Electric 45 ton switcher last saw "official" duty on March Air Force Base in southern California. 

Photo # usaf

Photo # usaf2

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