SP Mug Unit Train?

The new MT release looks interesting. What is/was. MUG unit train? Do they still operate under UP ?

 

I just talked to two model railroaders last week about MT's MUG train release (friends of a Micro-Trains employee who likely is responsible for the release).
Both guys have been building a MUG train on their HO scale layouts. I asked about the era and it sounded like a 1960s-80s train.

From this video's description: "MUG" stands for "eMpty eUGene".

[video=youtube;nkGcCRDgalg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkGcCRDgalg[/video]

 

Was the 'MUG' acronym applied only to the empty/northbound train?
If so, given that the Micro-Trains cars will all have loads, then is it a LUG train or a F(ull)UG train?
Did the loaded cars generally head southbound in a solid block?
Were these cars usually kept in captive service, or would they ever have ventured off line?

Incidentally, in this post [ http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,218389 ] the MUG is referred to as the Medford-Eugene train.
However, on this site [ http://www.lariverrailroads.com/flatcar.html ] the MUG is referred to as the Make-Up-Eugene train.
Any more definitive sources on what 'MUG' actually meant?

 

Interesting...that Trainorders.com post is from Bruce Petty, the other modeller who I mentioned as building a MUG train. Not sure if the train was called the same loaded but both John and Bruce are modelling it without loads. The Micro-Trains cars plus the Wheels of Time F-70 bulkheads should fill out a MUG nicely.

 

I've been trying to find more info myself...such as when the train would have even run (since I model the '50s on the NWP, a bunch of wood loaded flats would come in handy). MT still doesn't have much info listed and the pictures (drawing) shows even less. The 'Pacific Northwest' can be anything from northern Calif to Washington state. What I want to know is roller bearing or friction bearing trucks (pre 1960 or post). Here's the info MT has listed:

Southern Pacific® operated MUG trains which uniquely consisted of nearly all flat cars with an occasional bulkhead flat. These consists hauled loads from the Pacific Northwest that fed the lumber yards in Southern CA and returned to the Northwest empty. This 8-pack will feature logos printed on short and tall lumber loads. 50’ Flat Car, Fishbelly Side, w/ Side Mount Brake Wheel w/load Rd# 563725, 562907, 562971, 563012, 563123, 563496, 563528, 563639

As for MUG, this also doesn't translate easily into english from SP speak. Usually train symbols on the SP had 5 letters in a name: first two letters was town it came from, second two was town it was going to, last letter identified the type of train. MUG is missing two letters, but taking a look at it MU would stand for Mulford, CA (Medford OR is ME, Eugene OR is EU). Already we have a problem, Mulford, CA. is an area in San Leandro, CA (east bay of SF bay area). Not very many trees there.[SIZE=+1][/SIZE] So lets assume that MU is Medford/eUgene for the time being. The last letter should indicate the train type. G IS a unit train...unfortunately its a grain train (empty or loaded). The correct letter should be an U for unspecified unit train (empty or loaded). Maybe thats what the U is for? Medford Unit train? Anyways, the correct lettering should be MELAU. I'm sure that more info will come out of MT as they get closer to production but until then I'm in a holding pattern.

Oh, and looking up SP MUG train in Google gives you a huge selection of coffee mugs.

 

That is the same problem I came up with in my research-coffee mugs. the video does not provide any info. MT definitely needs to provide some research info on this set. I might bite for a 4 pack, but not an undocumented 8 pack.

 

We usually don't have room in the Micro News to put a lot of copy...that usuall comes with the set. MUG stands for "Make Up Eugene" These were very long trains and would be called MUG's with or without a load. They gathered up loads in Eugene from mills all over the northwest and then sent south to LA...then brought back empty. They consisted of Flats and Bulkhead flats of all sorts and sizes to hall everything from plywood to stack and timber lumber.

Joe
MTL

 

We usually don't have room in the Micro News to put a lot of copy...that usuall comes with the set. MUG stands for "Make Up Eugene" These were very long trains and would be called MUG's with or without a load. They gathered up loads in Eugene from mills all over the northwest and then sent south to LA...then brought back empty. They consisted of Flats and Bulkhead flats of all sorts and sizes to hall everything from plywood to stack and timber lumber.

Joe
MTL

 

Thanks for the extra info Joe and for producing these!

 

Eventually I'll have a decent representation of a 1967 era MUG train, consisting of several car classes. The first classes are the F-70-12/26 flats and bulkheads. Gunderson cars built in the early 1960s. I had the research and some plans drawn up long before the Wheels of Time announcement. As with my usual method of modeling, the lower the cost, the better, especially with the need for numerous examples from each class as was normal in a train like this. I built masters and poured a few castings for testing. They sit low, track very well and are heavy enough to run empty on the head end of 50+ car trains. I need to make some changes to the masters, then pour a good mold after I put a pressure tank setup together. I have a few other classes of cars on the drawing board, including the 62' Gunderson cars, which had pretty much the same bulkhead. Some older, riveted F-70-7/10 flats as well.

 

Looks great Joe! What underframe are you using to get good weight? Have you thought about casting them in metal completely?

 

Thanks Ryan! The whole car was scratch built, I designed the underframe to fit a lot of lead shot in the center sill and a false floor, all cast right in the car. I have thought about casting them in metal, but I feel resin will give better detail, plus it's easier to drill out the bolsters and grab iron holes.

 

Good thinking Joe. Are any of your non-bulkhead flat car designs close to those used for the grey SPMW flats for the continuous welded rail trains?

 

Interesting. I've lived by the Coast Line in LA. since the mid 80's. I don't recall hearing this name before. Used to see tons of lumber, but I don't recall seeing all flats. But I would think the 80's would have been well into box cars for a lot of that. A friend of mine that lived along the line his whole life might remember them.

 

So as I understand it the mug train was composed of Charlie Brown , land of misfit toys flatcars and bulkhead cars. Looking at the pictures the set is one car, two loads. Just think MT could have been more creative.

 

It's still the preliminary artwork being shown...

 

Unfortunately, many of those renderings leave much to be desired and are the only information provided upon which to base a decision whether or not to pre-order a given item.