1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239

A switcher is a small railroad locomotive used to assemble trains ready for a road locomotive to take over, disassemble a train that has been brought in and generally move railroad cars around a process usually known as switching in the United States. Switchers may also make short transfer runs.

The typical switcher is optimized for its job, being relatively low-powered but with a high starting effort for getting heavy cars rolling quickly. Switchers are geared to produce high torque but are restricted to low top speeds and have small diameter driving wheels. The switcher employed a gasoline powered inline six cylinder engine, with a manual transmission which is connected to the wheels by a chain drive.

This switcher was made by the Davenport Locomotive Works of Davenport, Iowa. It bears Builder's No. 3239, built in 1950. It was used for above ground mining and mill operations.

It has been repainted in Great Northern colors.

The switcher is 15 feet long and weighs 10,000 pounds.

The locomotive switcher was donated to the Spokane Fire Station Museum dba Fire and Rail Museum in 1991 from Atlas Mine and Mill Supply. It was maintained, operated and under the care and ownership of the Fire and Rail Museum from 1991 to 2015. On October 1, 2015, ownership was transferred to the Hillyard Heritage Museum Society. . This historical marker is in Hillyard in Spokane in Spokane County Washington