What's a BUTThead? 

Where’s Beavis?

If a diesel switcher is a "Butt-head," would that make a road locomotive a "Beavis?"

Recently, a Boston and Maine butthead was saved from scrap in Pennsylvania

I’m 57 years old, I’ve never heard end cab switchers called butt heads 🤷🏻‍♂️ Great video thought as switchers are dear to me. 🚂🚞🚞🚞🚞🌴

I never heard the term "butthead" to describe an end cab switcher before.

I was an engineer at CSX in Buffalo NY and had the pleasure to operate an MP 1500T which had a 8 cylinder turbocharged prime mover up until the early 2010s. It was a good unit.

The LIRR and NY & Atlantic still use some MP15ACs. LIRR use to have MP15ACs to pull commuter trains from the 1980s until the 1990s.

V/Line in Victoria, Australia still uses 4x Clyde/EMD G6B's known as the Y class as carriage shunters with 3 being at the main Melbourne terminal (Spencer Street station/Southern Cross station) and 1 in Geelong (about 70km's South West of Melbourne) and there's a few preserved and operating around the state

Never in my 21 years as a conductor have I heard anyone refer to them as buttheads. No csx, ns, up, kcs or bn guys. Maybe it's a regional thing?

Nice video on switch engines especially end cab switchers. The term Butthead switcher is new to me.

2 end cabs are still in use by V/Line at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne Victoria Australia to move passenger carriages in and out of the platforms, their days are numbers as most of the fleet is now DMU. They are Y class and there used to be 75 of them in use across the system, there are a few in use by preservation groups.

My favorite class of engines is definitely the switcher types. They always have cool looks, great models and so many cool paint schemes. Often underrated to.

V12 always got some sweet models in the background of his set, definitely should make a video featuring tour collection

Well done! I do have one issue, I cannot stand that term “Butthead”. But then I never liked the term “Snoot” either. My friends and I always referred to the long nosed 40’s as Crocodiles.

Here's another idea for a video (hopefully with working examples): show us the differences between yard slugs, road slugs, and cow/calf sets and why and where railroads would use each.

The SW's an all time favorite on my neck of the woods ,, CNR , CPR ,, will certainly be missed

By the time I had retired from the steel mill where I worked, I had run switchers for almost 20 years. We ran only EMD SW1200's, and we all loved them and worked them hard. I left in 2009, but the mills still run these engines. The one I generally ran was a 1957 model, an ex BN engine, numbered 170. I have many pictures and many fond memories of running on the railroad with these old locomotives.

Heart of Dixie R.R. Museum in Calera AL still uses a SW7 switcher (I think) and can do cab rides in it. If memory serves me correctly it was a former US Army switcher

The Union railroad out of Pittsburgh Pa still uses the buttheads, they always had them mainly for switching for US steel, LTV formerly J&L steel used them in the coke ovens along side the P&LE railroad now CSX

I kinda think we need to see a resurgence of electric locomotives, or even hybrids, though i suppose that presents new safety and logostic problems. It just seems like having a catenary or third rail in yards for its switchers would be a good solution

All of the URR Trains in Pittsburgh as I remember them would always run butt foward gave them much better visibility running those fast hot metal trains. Was always fun as a kid because the crew would almost always be able to see you wave

While stationed at George AFB in Victorville, CA in 1973, I remember we had a GE, either 40 or 50 something tonner that would periodically bring box and tanker (jet fuel) cars from the UP lines at Victorville out to the base. I'm sure that was gone a couple of years later as most USAF base locomotives (and rail supply) was quickly deactivated in lieu of 'more efficient' truck transport. And then the Gulf oil 'crisis' hit...

GP15D/GP20D which were built until 2004 would really be the last end cab switchers we see being built new but companies like Knoxville locomotive works will take an old frame and build a new end cab unit which looks a lot like a SW/MP unit but with a QST-30

The MDW in International Falls Minnesota still operate ALCO and EMD switchers.

Super. 💙 T.E.N. Edit: I still have five Athearn Bluebox SW-7 (SW-1500 on the box originally.) locomotives in operation after almost fifty years. I bought two cows and a calf brand new, and was impressed with how they ran, and was quite satisfied and happy with the purchase, as they all ran great. About six months later, there was a SW-7 cow and calf combo (Beavis & Butthead?🙂) in my paint scheme on consignment at the hobby shop. I was interested, but the dealer wanted $35.00 for the set, when the Athearn SW-7s were only $12.99 each, brand new, and he had my roadname in stock. I checked and these were modified with RADIAL X2-f couplers. At the time, I knew about a manufacturer that made radial X2-f couplers, but had only seen the Kadee radial knuckle coupler in use. Well, I bought those two right then and there, as my railroad was about 50/50 between hornhook and knuckle couplers back then. That much money would have almost paid for an Athearn F-7A Superpowered locomotive, matching F-7B dummy, and five matching Athearn streamlined passenger cars. Little did I know that those two locomotives would be the start of a trolley line with a paved right of way that is the railroads connection to a large sugar beet mill. The trolley line has 4 3/4 inch radius curves, and the two SW-7s will walk around those corners with 27 thirtyfour foot beet hopper cars in tow. Nowadays, the sugar beet mill has an 0-4-0 steam locomotive and a Plymouth MDT four wheel switcher, the trolley line has four trolley cars, one with radial Kadee knuckle couplers, two Plymouth CR-4 center cab switching locomotives, one Plymouth WDT six wheel switcher, two each box car, tank car, gondola, and one flatcar, one coach, one combine, and one observation passenger cars, and two cabooses, all equipped with radial couplers, not to mention the two SW-7s. Amazing what came from finding two modified locomotives on a dealers consignment shelf. Hello from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. 💙 T.E.N.

Not even joking I was at Bethlehem steel yesterday!! If your ever over there please take time to visit. there is even some of the Coke engines that are abandoned there.

my childhood tourist railroad ''The Fremont & Elkhorn Valley Railroad'' had a EX CNW SW1200 #1219 that eventually was the primary locomotive for the dinner and tourist trains after the railroad sold their EX US-Army 2-8-0 #1702. Unfortunately, the railroad was abandoned in 2011 and the rail equipment was sold except 1219 which was left on some of the right of way until being sold to a scrapper that scrapped it in late 2023. Very Sad

My Uncle works for Norfolk Southern. He always told me these engines were called Butt Trains. 🤣 Another Great Video Man! These Videos Always help me understand the RR a lot more!👍

I learned how to run an ex BN NW2. Awesome visibility.

The Long Island Railroad and New York and Atlantic Railway still have a handful of MP15ACs and SW1001s. LIRR's fleet of them are primarily used for work trains, rescue moves, and other jobs, although some MP15s were used for passenger service from being built until 1999. NY&AR's fleet of them are primarily used for switching and freight service on Long Island.

csx still uses a lot off sd40s on there mainline trains

CSX still uses them in niagra falls area! Normally transferred to selkirk yard to get repairs

There's quite a few industries out here in the El Paso, TX area that still use end-cab switchers and trackmobiles: Vinton Steel in Vinton, TX, the Freeport Mcmoran plant in El Paso, and Jobe cement off Paisano Dr. still has an old GE 44-Tonner tucked away, but most likely got replaced judging by the presence of the trackmobile.

Union Railroad in Pittsburgh uses EMD SW units.

That type of locomotive was the very first experience I had, up close and personal, when my Dad was an Engineer. Many fond memories. There is one sitting in the local (3rd level) yard - but I haven't seen it in use over several years now. The local run is handled by a pair of GP35s(?). Thanks for the informative post.

There's a yard in duryea pa that still uses these but there's like a couple there and there's also a gp30 there as well I even saw a rj corman one somewhere further around there

I love my swithcers and slug units

We have two in service at TVRM. One is ex. Milwaukee Road SW1200 No. 606. It lives at the museum and can be seen fairly frequently pulling passenger trains or freight. The other one we have that runs is ex. US Army SW8 No. 2000, though it is currently numbered as TVRM 1898. It lives at the Nokian Tire Plant in Dayton, Tennessee as their in plant switcher. TVRM supplies the staff to operate it whenever they need a move, usually about once or twice a week.

I think that yellow engine is from Vossloh or Henschel v4/v5

TZPR in the Peoria Illinois area has three, 1521, 1351, 1352

Union Pacific used to store 50 or more Sw-1500s at its Pine Bluff, Arkansas small yard

Alberta Prairie Railway is still rocking a GMD 1 on its excursion train🚂🇨🇦

The Arkansas & Missouri still use ALCO T-6's on their main to move all sorts of product.

Gold Coast RR Museum actually has two former NASA locos. ALCo S-2 #1 and NASA's later SW1500 #2. A preserved USAF SW8M is also on display at the Air Force side of Canaveral Air Force Station. Of the three, I have ridden in all of them, but prefer the controls of the ALCo. Why? Because it is strictly mechanical from the control stand to the engine. You can move the throttle just a hair if you need just a few more HP. The other two are set at what the electricals space the engine speed at.

I see them ( MP15's and even a SW something ) frequently on the CSX main in Central New York being towed from Buffalo to Selkirk, sometimes even under power. Have a pile of pics and video of them this past year 2023 and early 2024. So I guess that means they have a place somewhere. Or maybe being prepped for sale? At the DeWitt yards, they have sd40-3's with remotes. My last video shows a typical use of them with a remote. Love this video BTW, really well done.

4:10 The Whitcomb was actually used internationally, some operated for quite a long time in the Netherlands and Italy. Nederlandse Spoorwegen acquired units No. 601 to 619 in 1946, using them until 1960. Ferrovie dello Stato took over 49 units type Ne 120 built 1941 to 1944 and rebuilt them to D 143 in the years 1966 to 1974, the last operated until 2014! From 1952 to 2055 SGP built 20 units class 2045 for ÖBB (Austria) that had some similarities in the general layout with the Whitcomb. Due to limited visibility that remained the only center cab locomotive with high hoods, later shunters were built with low hoods and raised cabs.

The redi center was the last place I ever saw one on csx. GP40s are now the go to power for yard work in my area.

The plant I work at we have an SW1500, SW900, 2 SW1200 and an NW2

I see these engines all the time in steel yards. Usually, they look like they've been rode hard and put away wet, but they still get the job done.

Morristown & Erie in Morris County NJ still runs their SW1500 #20 for both excursion and revenue freight.

The Union RR outside of Pittsburgh has a complete fleet of EMD end-cabs in multi-unit formations (Typically 4 untis) hauling coal, coke, scrap metal, steen ingots and slabs for US Steel. A genuine heavy-haul short line with steep grades and tight curves.

The Indiana Harbor Belt still has several SW1500’s still in service.

The "new" Wheeling and Lake Erie (1990 Ohio spinoff from N&W as opposed to the original "Iron Cross") has at least 2 end cabs that came with their purchase of the Akron & Barberton Beltline RR, now operated as the Akron-Barberton Cluster (ABC).

Excellent production. Looking forward to seeing the Sandersville footage

The Long Island Rail Road operates the EMD SW1001 and EMD MP15AC. The New York & Atlantic Railway, which is a shortline serving Queens, Brooklyn also operates the EMD SW1001 and EMD MP15AC.

Thanx for the great detail!

I have several switchers on my HO model railroad. Since I used to live in Jonesboro, GA, I model the Central of Georgia. Cheers from eastern TN

Amtrak used to have a switcher in atlanta like these in mid 90s when they were hauling extra sleepers and mail on the crescent. They would use to cut cars out on 19 and make up additional consist on 20.

On a recent trip to Chicago via Amtrak I saw an antique SW1 still toiling along at an industrial site down here in Texas.

That 9624 B&O unit came past my grandparents home back in the 60’s on the way to Sparrows Point.

The United States Army added a sw8 to their roster, it was originally built for B&O but it now serves its part for switching duties in the Fort eustis army base.

The Morristown & Erie railway of NJ has a single EMD SW1500 and also has an ex-Norfolk Southern MP15DC in storage.

Cleveland Cliffs, formerly AK steel, in Middletown, Ohio operates 2 SW 1500. Awesome sight to see

Great informational video. A&NR in Luflkin, TX. still run two "Buttheads" a SW1500 and a S4!

The Reading & Northern Railroad has a few of them, along with other old locomotives. They have GP38’s, GP39’s, SD38’s, SD40’s, and SD50’s. They also have RDC’s.

*"GEEZ, WHY'S THAT THING SO LONG?"* - Cowl Unit Productions

Check out the Union Railroad near Pittsburgh pa. A heavy switching and terminal operation serving the remaining steel industry in the monogahela river valley. Since the URR dieselized in the 40s, they have always rostered nothing but (except for short lived GM/Baldwin road units called "buffalos") end cab switchers. Currently the URR rosters about three dozen SW1500s and MP15s. Quite a sight and sound to witness 5 of these units lugging heavy unit drags up and down the rugged terrain of their lines.

I have been around trains since I was born . Always nice to see a new video !

7:05 the beavis

A cement company near me still uses a ge center cab switcher,origins unknown but very cool piece of metal that still moves freight

TXGN in Gonzales county(Texas) still has an SW1200, and a SW10, formerly UP #1273.

Your knowledge of history and the technical aspects of railroading is impressive. I always learn something!

At the port in Savannah, we have 2 1500s, 2 1200s, and 1 1001 with another 1200 waiting on a repair. I didn't hear butthead before I got there, but I guess it has something to do with the fact that anytime we MU them, we butt their front ends (the long hood) together for visibility in either direction.

Kutztown, Pa. Allentown and Auburn Railroad. They use an sw built by EMC in 1937. They also have an rs3 or an rs1, I don't remember.

There is a refinery in Northeast Philadelphia, PA that has 2 end cab switchers. You can see them from I 95 North just past the spot where the on ramp from the westbound side of the Betsy Ross Bridge is

Reading and Northern has a fleet of MP15DCs, SW1500’s and SW8’s still out earning their keep. Also I volunteer at the Allentown and Auburn which has an EMC SW built for Bethlehem Steel in 1937 and is still out earning its keep multiple times a week pulling passenger excursion and moving cars for 2 freight customers along the 4.5mile line.

Delmarva Central runs MP15’s on certain road freights. I’ve seen them in Delmar and Salisbury Maryland.

My grandfather ended his 40 year RR career as a yard engineer in the CSX yards of Jacksonville FL.

The Union Railroad that you touched on here in Pittsburgh runs them in 4 unit formations, and because of logistics of the yard setups.... still uses cabooses on some trains!

There are some end cabs on the Black river and western RR part of the Chesapeake and Delaware rr llc Morris and Erie and Raritan central in NJ

I prefered the Yard Engine (End Cab Switcher) to a GP7 or 9, or even the GP38s for yard work. That's what they were built for. Great visibility, and would pull just about anything you could couple it to. I miss these old workhorses!!!! Nice video!!!!

Union railroad still has a whole fleet of end cab switchers and still uses cabooses because they have long reverse shoves

Another interesting video. Thanks for posting.

There’s a shortline railroad in Gastonia NC called the Charlotte and Western that uses a butthead the number is 38 unclear on what the class type it is but it’s an old one for sure

The South Carolina Railroad Museum runs their museum excursion trains with several former military switchers. You can occasionally get a ticket to ride in the cab too! Great video, learned a lot and enjoyed it.

The Grafton & Upton RR in Massachusetts owns 3 (exCSX) and 1 leased(GATX) MP15AC's.

I've never once heard them called a butthead before. I wonder if that's some regional slang.

I remember when switchers were common on the ACL Lineville sub. The pulled pulpwood cars to Manchester. Good video, Charlie!

A single S2 were replaced with two GP38s. SW8s have been replaced with GP9s and GP35s. I have only seen actually seitchers at the steel plant and on shortline railroads.

A cool variant of the EMD SW1200, the GMD SW1200MG is in use by the Iron Ore Company of Canada. It's electric and fully automatic.

2 of the Iconic NASA end cab switchers are preserved, and operational on the madison rr, in Madison, IN.

I absolutely lost it at the start for some reason (Now I feel like 2 year old child)

I think Little Rock and Western still use a SW1500

If you live to south of Chicago, you still see a lot of cow’s & calf’s still working with Indiana Harbor Freight railroad. But within the past five to seven years they have been retiring them. They were powerful engines.

I think the Valdosta Railroad has a rebuilt SW1200 on it's line. I tried looking for it each time I've been that way since I got my license, but, to date, have yet to meet it. Maybe it's kept in Clyattville when it's not running. There's a video by Danny Harmon on his Distant Signal RU-vid channel if you want to check it out. That was how I learned of it.

I used to see them all the time when I was a kid. KCS yard in Beaumont Texas.

This is my first to hear them called butt-heads!! LOL years on rail fanning. never heard it. thanks.

The whitewatervalley railroad still uses lima hamilton end cab switchers

Never heard them called that,nice video, R.I.P Shoestring,like the vintage footage of steam and molten ladles!🛤🚂

Theres a couple of SW1200s around my neck of the woods in Charleston County, Palmetto Railways operates a good number of them which have roots to South Carolina Public Railways, these days they wear a brilliant blue in immaculate condition. PR cares a lot about the condition of their fleet, its hard to see rust or weathering.