I updated my website again last night with a couple dozen more photos from the "Archives" ... all are GP38-2's and are located on the SCL, Seaboard System, or CSX pages. Here's one I remember well: The picture was taken at the RF&P's Acca Yard in Richmond. Look at the photo and it is full of details: harsh morning sun, abundance of exhaust, engine shop in the background (w/ RF&P logo), the unit is pulliing a yard slug [the first one I ever saw in person], a Susie Q B40-8 (that would become a CSX unit) and an RF&P switcher! Enjoy! Harold
Here's a nice matched pair of matched (sub-letters) SBD units, pretty much as delievered SCL paint, with the exception of the "Pulling For You" slogan. Notice the sand tower over the trailing unit (actually several tracks away) Harold P.S.: Don't worry, I only have a few thousand more photos left in the archives [ 25 January 2002: Message edited by: chessie ]
Nice pics. I'm a CSX fan from UP country in Iowa. I, only occasionally, see a CSX unit in a UP consist passing through the Des Moines area; keep 'em coming. I do have to ask a silly question: what is the purpose of a slug? Is it powered or is the weight of the unit used as a tool? I've only seen pics of slugs and read about them in magazine articles but their purpose is not defined. Can anyone enlighten me.
A slug is basically a pair of trucks, with weight above them. Power is supplied by the "mother" unit to the slug, to increase tractive effort, particularly helpful in slow speed switching, etc. I suppose it basically makes the mother unit into a four-truck locomotive
Alan, there must have been some early type slugs that were powered, because I have seen a photo in a book or magazine of a hostler standing on the walkway running a slug alone, through the yards. I'll try and find it, but the photo may be C/R'd, so probably can't post it even if I see the photog's name. I'll look, It was a surprise to me, because I too thought they were just weighted and powered from the head engine. Strange beasts anyway. (I think it had a high hood full length, so older than those shown here.)
That's interesting, I would definitely be interested in hearing more about the photo - it seems more likely though that you might have seen a picture of a B-unit, such as PRR/UP's GP9Bs, UP's GP30Bs, or BN's many GE and EMD B-units. These were all cabless powered diesels, in the case of BN, often units rebuilt without cabs after suffering damage in wrecks. My understanding is that the basic definition of a slug is a unit that has had its prime mover removed so that only the traction motors are left. A slug takes excess electric power from the mother unit to power its traction motors. Diesels generate more power than they can use, especially at slow speeds, so the slug makes use of the extra "juice" and adds more tractive effort at the same time. Just a correction - a slug with a full height hood isn't necessary an older unit than the half-height ones. CSX has a large number of former GP30s and GP35s (plus some GP40s now, I think) that were converted into slugs but retained their original carbodies - they still have controls in the cabs and can be operated in either direction. The only real visual difference is the lack of fans and (most) hood doors. Hope that helps - have a godo weekend everybody! [ 25 January 2002, 15:18: Message edited by: drolsen ]
Could this be a Slug? J&L Steel Mill in Pittsburgh had some units that had nuthing above the main deck but a 3 ft. high steel box running nearly it's length and width filled with Concrete. Two of these units would be run behind a standard unit to pull molten iron Submarines up a grade and across the Mon. River to the Open Hearth Furnaces.
Art, Those "slugs" sound like the ones Ann Harbor Belt R.R. had. They were similar in shape and design, but only had a "lump" on each end, possibly to raise the weight higher over the trucks.... I've seen them but I can't recall the unit numbers. And as a side note, they were run from an existing SW-1500 EMD switcher as the mother unit... [ 27 January 2002, 00:01: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
Good thoughts, folks! Yep, there are lots of differences between slugs and B units. There are also difference between slugs. CSX has two basic types of "slugs"... road and yard. The road slugs are (as previously described) basically full height units that have their cabs and controls, minus most of their doors, fans, and engine. The yard slugs are cut down units. Always something interesting..... Harold
Drolsen, you are correct. I am mistaken, I remembered last night that I had been startled when I saw a man standing in the vestibule of a "B" unit like an F-8 or something. He had an access door open and was running the unit over some switches in a huge yard somewhere as a single unit all by himself. It was not a slug. I never gave "slugs" any thought because I am not too interested in diesel engines anyway. Sorry if I miss lead anyone.
Watash, Its ok my friend! We all make silly mistakes anyway! and besides we're all human (at least I hope so anyway) And we're intittled to make mistakes wether we intend to like or dislike the fact! Ha! Only stokin' yer boiler old buddy! And from one steam buff to anyother of higher proportions.... WE ALL KNOW YOUR REAL LOVE IN RAILROADING SO..... Or at least I know I do! I get into diesels, yes, but not them all... I like the first generation hood diesels and the first generation cab diesels.... Notice: I said "like"! HA! Now don't get me wrong, I love Steam locomotives, again another notice: I said "love" steam locomotives! HA! [ 27 January 2002, 14:48: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
