This strange little critter has been around the old Katy Shops area, of the Union Pacific operation, here in Parsons. for some time now. I’ve seen it in selveral different locations; it looks like a very short unit with a short hood with hatches and vent screen panels, no cab, but it is equiped with a horizontal frame that mounts what almost resemble the round turn signals similar to the round ones that were put on truck fenders in the past.
The on-line Union Pacific Roster carries it as a SL1RCL, mfg EMD. It is listed in the slug units in the series from 100/104.
I figured it is radio controled, but are these refited to move on their own, or do they require a power unit, if it can move on its own, why is it a slug? Or, can it move independently?
I have never seen it hooked to any other conventional locomotive, or moving, but it changes positions pretty frequently. Any ideas, anyone?
These units were built as slugs for the MoPac. They worked on the mopac for a short period before being transfered to the Alton and Southern, were they worked untill just a few years ago, since then, they have been spread around the vast UP system
Isn’t the Alton and Southern owned by UP? My friend works for them and I am pretty sure that is what he said. Seniority lists are seperate, for which he is glad about.
Mike: http://www.globaloutlet.com/ingalls-4s-diesel-locomotive-c-24.html?osCsid=2c4c6f086ab943bf3d69d90af1efb256 This is the web address for a company that markets a model of this engine [it is pretty pricey- and definitely, above my pay grade!] But it has a pretty good picture of the Ingalls Shipbuilding S-4 locomotive, built as a demonstrator of the proposed product line, that was to be from 660 hp, on a B-B trucks truck arangement, to a 2000hp version on A-1-A trucks configuration. Only one version, the 1500hp S-4, with a Superior [brand name of industrial and marine engines] Diesel engine, was constructed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and sold to the GM&O RR. It was pretty much based out of Jackson, Tn division point, and did also spend much time switching in the Corinth, Miss area as well. I saw the locomotive a lot and was always facinated by it, and its cab configuration was always a stand out feature.
Alton & Southern was originally owned by Alcoa. Its steam engines were noted for their aluminum fittings. In 1968, it was sold to C&NW and MP, which explains the blue and yellow colors of its locomotives and its composite C&NW/MP herald. C&NW later sold its share to Cotton Belt. As a result of mergers, UP became the sole owner.
My guess is that it is still a slug, but it has been refitted with RC equipment, so that whatever locomotive connects to it can be used for RC operations. Sort of a symbiotic relationship, with the locomotive acting as a slug “mother” and the slug being the RC “mother”… interesting…
They still called them slugs, at least in Des Moines, but they no longer have working traction motors. They do have locomotive braking systems. They just carry the electronics/radio equipment for remote operations.
When connected to a locomotive(s), the “slug” is the controlling unit. The forward/reverse on the rco’s controller corresponds to the Front of the slug. Even if the slug is in the middle of the consist, it’s the one that controls direction.
As I remember, the radio antenna/flashing light rig is on the rear end of the unit. The set always reminded me of antlers. I often thought, leave it to the UP to put the antlers on the tail end. It also was no fun going across Des Moines with one engine and a slug MU’ed so that the back end was leading. Even with hearing protection, that air horn just a few feet away was loud.