I don't know if other roads bought into this concept (besides NS), but CSX has some neat road "slugs". Here is one pictured with its "parent" GP40-2: http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/images/CSXT6911.jpg I know most of the slugs were rebuilt from GP35's and GP30's... the "parents" were GP40-2's. Interesting concept, huh? Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
I don't think the other roads really bought the concept because they figured they could just tack on another unit if needed... SP had some i think though. That's some pretty rough weld work by the way!
Espee had road slugs, but not as fancy as the CSX ones. Theirs were built from retired U25B's, and called TEBU's (Tractive Effort Booster Units. Here's a page with lotsa pics and info on them: http://espee.railfan.net/sptebu.html ------------------ Have A Nice Day!
BN also went the route of slugs and like SP called them TEBU's. These were modifed SD9's rebuilt from the sills up with a new body and high-visibilty cab and teamed with a SD38P - 7 ex-SD35's and 3 Frisco SD38's rebuilt by VMV (from Frisco Sd38's,to slug mothers. They are used in hump service with Northtown Yard, Minneapolis, having 2 sets and Tennessee Yard, Memphis, having at least one, and have been used in transfer service in the Twin Cities at times. Galesburg, IL, set - http://archive.trainpix.com/BN/EMDRBLD/SD38P/6268.HTM Gary.
Oh, yeah... how could I forget! 3 NS road slugs rebuilt from switches (probably Baldwin or ALCo) were bought by the TC&W. One of the remaining 2 has been reactivated and being teamed with the remaining GP10 and possibly being fitted with a PTC system. The RRV&W converted their 3 remaining CF7's into slugs in the mid-90's and these are teamed with RRV&W and TC&W modified Generation II GP20C's (CAT repowered). Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 N to the Nth degree!
I know the NS (actually Southern) had some yard slugs built on some ole Baldwin / Alco switcher (or possibly steam tender) frames. The actual road slugs on NS came from NW and were built in their shops using GP9's. A very odd looking unit. I have some pics somewhere of them, mated to GP40's. Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
Thanks Harold, They would have been the yard slugs on the TC&W. Too short for GP9's. As mentioned above, one of them will be teamed with GP10 406 and then the idea will be to lease them as a pair. I don't know if they will be set up for road or yard service, yet. Gary.
Gary, I found a shot of one of the NS GP9 converted slugs... as you can see, they actually had dynamic braking (that was moved to the front of the unit): http://www.trainweb.org/kyrailfan/nsloco/9739a.jpg Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
well, yes... Actually, though this is getting away from CSX, what is the difference between a yard and road slug? Nice shot, Harold. That would make a neat modelling project. Gary.
Amazing the size difference between a GP40-2 and a GP35 ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!! I looked at DCC... and stayed DC!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gats: well, yes... Actually, though this is getting away from CSX, what is the difference between a yard and road slug? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Basically, a yard slug is optimized for slow speed service. A road slug is setup and wired for the higher speeds found on the mainline. Also, many road slugs are equipped with dynamics, and some are equipped with fuel tanks and fuel transfer equipment so they can act as tenders for their mother units. ------------------ Have A Nice Day!
I didn't really think about it, but the Seaboard System had road slugs many years ago when they ordered the GE MATE's. These units were basically road slugs for use on their phosphate trains (heavy tonnage, low speeds). Here's a link to the photo gallery: http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/html/MATE.html Some were single ended, while others were double ended. Maybe they were ahead of their time Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
PRR had 40 converted GP9's to 'cabless' slugs back in the early 1960's. They were unpopular because of problems teaming them up with other units. Book reference claims that Santa Fe and Union Pacific had some also. I modeled one from a GP9 frame just to have another PRR class of engine. ...Eddie ------------------ Eddie Delozier PRR N-scale www.deloziers.com eddelozier@yahoo.com
I'm pretty sure the UP and SF cabless units had an engine but no cab. I don't know about the PRR ones though. I don't think GM has ever made an engineless hood unit!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tunnel88: I'm pretty sure the UP and SF cabless units had an engine but no cab. I don't know about the PRR ones though. I don't think GM has ever made an engineless hood unit!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> EMD made some cabless units, I believe they were termed "booster" or just "B" units. I know PRR had some GP9B's (but I did not know if they were "factory" made or "home" made UP received some GP30B's, which were very interesting (high hood, like the Southern GP30's). UP also had DD35B's (or whatever they termed those giant double engine 4 axle trucked units). I know BN and ATSF shops rebuilt some wrecks into cabless "B" units. Also, UP went thru a phase where they made "B" units out of SD40-2's by deactivating the cabs to avoid the inspection requirements (or something like that), however, I think they were "reactivated" into cab units eventually. CSX made "B" units out of their famous BQ23-7's before they were retired; they plated over & painted out all of the windows; here's a great shot of one: http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/BQ23-7/3003CSX-bc.jpg HOWEVER, this is ALL off target to the original post, (although very interesting The main difference is the "B" units are full fledged locomotives with their own engines, generators, alternators, etc. everything but a "cab". CSX's road slugs have no engine, and draw their electrical power from the "parent" unit, basically speading the horsepower out over 8 sets of axles (2 locos), instead of 4 axles (1 loco). CSX actually left the cabs on their road slugs fully operational, so they can be operated from either end of the "consist". Engineers I talked to stated they liked operating the "consist" from the slug unit, because it was much quieter... no engine noise Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
