MU connections

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

In all of my personal photos of locomotive consists, and searching extensively via Google, I cannot find a clear photo of the configuration of the connections between locos. Thinking primarily of hoods but cabs also applies.

I started fabbing MU cables from 20 gauge wire when it hit me I had no concrete idea of how they should be arranged. One? Two? (the MU hoses per se, sand and signals, are not the issue).

Any photo links or postings? A forum search did not reveal anything.

Thanks

Paul

2

Google digging and reading …

This article and photo are specific to UP - they might help.

http://utahrails.net/up/up-loco-features.php

And this thread over on www.trainboard.com - N Scale, but with photos -

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?p=533872

Gil

3

An entire site devoted to Diesel Detailing - some extreme detailing - specific to particular units - plus clinics with many photos - enjoy.

http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/index.cgi

Gil

4

Hello Paul,

There are excellent reference pages on m.u. connections, both electrical and air, in the Model Railroader Cyclopedia Vol. 2, Diesel Locomotives. See pages 22 and 23 for diagrams and several photos. You’ll learn there that there is a lot of variety depending on the brake equipment used, whether or not the locomotives have air-controlled sanders, and other factors.

Good luck with your models,

Andy

5

Thanks to all for the info. I’ll try the free stuff and also see if my LHS has the book.

6

This should help.

Three hoses on each side. The electrical cable up higher. This unit has a dummy plug on the left side, for leaving the cable out. There are no pins in the dummy plug, but it keeps moisture and foreign matter out of the cable end. Without dummy plugs, the cable should be stored inside the unit, in the back by the compressor.

E-unit end.

The MU cable is up high, above the door. The red plugs are for 480 volt Head-End-Power cables.

7

Thank you.

I have some of the Detail West 27-pin (?) hoses and as I mentioned, have simulated hoses by using solid 20 guage feeder wire. A small piece of the insulation is kept as each end, painted silver, and looks like the connection receptical.

I left the wire long and drilled a hole into each hood just below the anti-climber. No porblems when running on wide radi curves but wanted them mainly for prop units set in fueling area.