Over the past 2 weeks I have seen on Norfolk Southern’s old AGS South District a true set of ABBA units with GP38-2 bracketing the two B units on the inside. Havent been able to tell what type of locomotive the B units were yet. I do know one of the GP38-2s number is 3008. I have seen this consist twice on the road and once sitting in Norris yard in Irondale. Last time I saw them it was today and I finally got to see the unit number, but I would like to know more about this consist. I hope someone can help fill me in on it. Thanks
Are the B units shorter than the A units?
I don’t remember NS having B units.
Or maybe I don’t know and let somone else add their suggestion.
Were the B-unit hoods full-height? If not, it could be two mother-slug sets put together:
Yes, the hoods were shorter, by maybe 2-3 feet, but the difference between the GP38-2s isnt that great. The B units do have the hood of a slug unit, and on top of the hood there is a boxed tower where there is a radio antenna for remote control operation. The B units are shorter than the GP38-2s in length too. I just thought I was rare to ever see them go past me doing 55 though. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for them and try to get a picture of this unusual consist but would still like more information. Thanks.
The NS 3000-3070 series is ex-Conrail GP40-2’s. 3003-3006, 3008 and 3009 are equipped as slug mothers for RP-E4D slugs rebuilt from GP9’s and GP18’s. NS 3071-3089 are rebuilt from various N&W 1300 series GP40’s and are also equipped as slug mothers. See Chris Toth’s site for more details: http://www.nsdash9.com/roster.html
You probably two slug sets back to back. ATSF/BNSF has run GP60M/GP60B/GP60B/GP60M sets in matched Warbonnet colors.
FYI for anyone, BNSF is the only Class I with B units, all the others have slugs, and CSX has GP30s converted to slugs and cab control.
I hate to advertize my ignorance, but what is a slug and what is a slug mother?
Short answer: A slug is a former locomotive that has had its prime mover and generator removed and replaced with ballast but retains its traction motors. It may or may not have a control cab. The traction motors draw their current from the main generator of the slug mother. A slug mother is a locomotive with electrical modifications that allows it to provide electric current to the traction motors of a slug. Such a combination is usually found in low-speed service where extra tractive effort is needed, such as hump pushers, heavy switching, mine runs, etc.
Yard slug cut down from a GP9; http://trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/SWMT/1053CSX-yn3.jpg
Road slug rebuilt from a GP30: http://trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/RDMT/2211CSX-yn3.jpg
Slug mother: http://trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/GP40-2/6424CSX-yn3.jpg
I thought they would be motherslug/ slug sets, just hoped that they would be true B units converted from older engine frames. As stated above, they are usually found in yards, but how often on the road. Is NS that short of power in Norris Yard?
C&NW was probably the first road to use road slugs in the early 1970’s. Standard practice at the time was a GP35/slug/GP35 lash-up for trains on the Huron line (now DM&E). Track conditions restricted speed and tonnages were relatively heavy so slug sets were practical in that particular service. SCL used U36B/MATE sets for local freights and phosphate trains. CSX seems to use its slug sets for local freights, mine runs and transfers.
Thanks yall for the information on this. Even though its not a true ABBA set, it still loooked cool doing 55 down the tracks.
[bow]Coming soon to the Wisconsin and Southern [;)] the only operating E9 6-engine A-B-A trio in the US. The UP heritage trio 949-953-951, which made Operation Lifesaver appearances across the midwest in summer of 2007, are run with single prime movers.
WSOR 101(former 10A), 102, & 103 (former E9A 10C)
BNSF does have GP60Ms and GP60B cabless units. Back in the ATSF days, these units were often lashed up into A-B-B-A sets on the transcom.
About a year ago I was pulling into the yard and a southbound train departing had a B40-8W, GP60B, GP60B, GP60B, B40-8W. The dash 8’s were still warbonnetts and the GP’s were heritage. Figures I didnt have my camera with me that trip and of course I havent seen a consist like it since.[:(]
If you want a pic of a modern “real” A-B-B-A set:
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?200801021754004015.jpg
And heck, here’s a shot of an A-B-B-B-A set:
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?200711291515357435.jpg
The Providence & Worcester bought these former BN units a few years ago, and typically uses them in coal train service.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Now hold up here…A-B-B-A consist on the Norfolk Southern…and its not the executive engines?
Sorry, that sounds like a dumb question.
That NS executive train is real handsome looking. Is the second A unit finished yet? When Trains did a writeup on it in the last issue of Locomotive it wasn’t done yet. Also in the current issue of Trains is an article on the KCS A-B-B-A set and they are handsome as well. Bob
Here’s a link to a recent photo of RP-E4D slug #931.
http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=52233
What I find interesting is that, unlike any other slugs I’ve seen, these still have the dynamic brake blisters. Does anyone know – do they really still have dynamic brakes?
Also, from a modeling standpoint – I’d like to know what the roofs typically look like on a slug but haven’t ever seen a photo of one. Anyone know where I can find a top view?