Caution, its a large picture !
http://www.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/view.cgi?image=Scotch_Block_10.10.04_0943.jpg&size=0
Why do I get a sad feeling looking at it [8)]
Neat shot – thanks for the warning about how big it is!
It is a slug unit presumably – often made from cut down locomotives using the traction motors but no engine and no fuel tank. The idea is that the diesel engines on a “parent” locomotive can produce more power than the traction motors can always effectively convert to tractive effort. So you divert some of that electrical power to the traction motors on a slug unit (which has weight added in the form of concrete and/or steel) and you get more wheels exerting pulling power with no great increase in fuel costs etc. Usually the slug and parent are semi permanently attached as there needs to be some controls involved.
If your local hobby shop gets North Western Lines, the publication of the Chicago & North Western Historical Society, that magazine recently published an excellent article on slug units with many photos and information. The most recent issue is all-coal trains but the prior issue had the article about slug units. Worth getting.
Don’t rule out running something like this on your layout! This would make an interesting kit bashing project and could add interest on a layout. I might add that it might also be a good place to hide the DCC electronics and sound system stuff, etc.
Dave Nelson
Because it has that “lifeless” look to it.[:)]
It’s known as a yard slug – they are basically old locomotives with the diesel engine and generator removed and replaced with a weight. The traction motors are still on it, and receive their power from the engine to which it is connected. Sometimes a slug is placed between two engines and receives power from both. They basically give locomotives more power by having additional traction motors. Slugs are not bought this way, but are made in-house from wrecked locomotives or ones with diesel engines that have thrown a rod or would require replacement for some reason.
I am wondering if anyone has actually made one by kitbashing and/or can post a picture.
Now that would be quite a kitbashing job !
They use these units in mostly yard duty, I see them all the time up here, especially in the Macmillan yard. Actually I kitbashed two of them along with the chop-nosed GP9 (remote unit), but I’m not sure how to post a picture?? They were quite easy to make.
Cheers
CN 274
GP9 slug; class GY-00g
- converted by AMF Technotransport from GP9 4422 in 1993
- second use of this number as a slug
- usually operates with GP9 72xx series mother
- notice Flexicoil trucks
It gives the locomotive set more tractive effort (pushing/pulling force) and more power may be sent to traction motors without overloading them because the power goes to a larger amount of traction motors. However it does not add any power. Only an additional diesel engine can add more power.