Ok, let the guessing game begin…
This is obviously the results of an 0-5-0 switching much too hard!![:-^]
Looks like a slug unit…
Either that, or it’s a kitbash gone bad, or a photoshop…[:-^]
That’s just wrong…
Is that a third rail shoe under the cab? Could it be a homemade hybrid?
Jim
I assure you all it’s real. Let’s see if you guys can divine it’s origin and purpose. It is unique and not quite finished yet.
Being painted red, I would guess that it’s to be used as part of some sort of test train, or maybe MOW. I’m really curious now.
Tom
Built to work the shipyards? Loading container trains?
It has a fuel tank, but also has those gray electrical connectors coming out the back, can’t imagine the purpose of the notch on top behind the cab, maybe so the engy can see the crane operator? [%-)]
Obviously I have no clue
according to the number on the cab it use to be a track testing unit. At that time it did not have a cab. Maybe it is being converted to a self powered track test unit?
it was originaly an SD 35. Are they converting it partialy back to a road unit?
Well … It used to be this …
http://www.krunk.org/~joeshaw/pics/ns/co-cars/ns34.jpg
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/ns34.jpg
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/ns34a.jpg
Are they making it controllable from the unit itself instead of the attached control car ?
Mark.
Judging from that last photo, it looks like a 12"/foot track cleaning car…
I bet there’s some stainless steel washers under there for burnishing the rail ! [;)]
Mark.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=13766
It’s an SD35 that was rebuilt into a track test unit. Now it appears it is being re-invented once again.
That there is a real genuine artificial immitation Falagaler*
- Falagaler- a word used to describe something that defies description.
It DOES say “research” on the side of it under the NS logo. SO, obviously it’s a reseasrch vehicle of some kind.
Could it be a new SGPSDALTS?*
*Satelite Global Positioning System Driverless Automated Locomotive Track Scrubber
Very good!
Good job in hunting down it’s identity!
Yes, it used to be an SD35, it was gutted, reworked and is now part of a 3 piece track geometry test train. The ELEM 33.00 contains a power generator in the front (long) hood, several banks of computer equipment in the cab, and a very, very cold AC unit. What makes it truly unique is the equipment, it is kitted out with an Applanix POS (Position and Orientation System) cameras and vehicle-mounted terrestrial laser scanners, visible under the cab on the bogie. Used for deformation monitoring in track geometry, integrated through Trimble GPS and it has all the bells and whistles and can make a very accurate digital map of the track. This unit is towed, while the engineering crew rides in another specialy modified vehicle behind.
Hopefully it’s used to pound those spikes back down…[:-^]
That’s the old system in the photo. The new one consists of 4 laser scanners between the first and second axle. Ahead of the first axle is a row of very powerful lights for the cameras. The Applanix is much neater on the oustide, all the connections are in the cab at the computers or inside the hood.
What with the PRR tuscan red?
thats really neat.