OK. Thank-You for the correction. If I had looked close I should have seen that there was no exhaust, ergo, no diesel. I'm still a little confused on why they were made/ Was this a failed experiment? Why bother to buy/build a slug when you would probably have extra locomotives anyway? Someone must have had a specific marketing strategy on these things.... Thank-You for viewing and explaining things the right way.
It's sometimes known as a "slug". It's a powered unit that has reduced cost as it does not need a crew. Most of the time railroads hook up a second locomotive. The slugs allow extra power at a slightly reduced cost. I'm no expert but it looks like most railroads would rather hook up another locomotive as opposed to a slug.
@ipfeldspar Slugs are nothing but "add-ons" w/electric traction motors for extra tractive effort. The lack of crew is not what makes the reduced cost-that comes from it not having their own generators (the diesel engine). Because of this & because a slug has no cab, railroads would rather hook up a loco instead of a slug. Besides, with a cab unit running in reverse the train can go in either direction with the engineer at either end. Slugs are usually used only in the switch-yards.
@Xantec Slugs are nothing but "add-ons" w/electric traction motors for extra tractive effort. The lack of crew is not what makes the reduced cost-that comes from it not having their own generators (the diesel engine). Because of this & because a slug has no cab, railroads would rather hook up a loco instead of a slug. Besides, with a cab unit running in reverse the train can go in either direction with the engineer at either end. Slugs are usually used only in the switch-yards.
lol we always go here all the time with our car and we used to race the train me on foot running and the othetr person driving fast with the train lol
It's been a while since I've been to that location. Quite a mix you can find like Union Pacific's coal trains, BNSF's trains heading north, and of course IAIS.
Council Bluffs, at one time, was the sixth largest rail center in the United States. You're right, it is a great mix of railroading and the variety is amazing. Even with the reduction of rail yards and railroads there is always something to check out.
I was there just two days ago, and it just might be me, but that looks like the same latch up of locomotives working in the yard. (it was pushing around tank cars around the ConAgra plant)
If you mean #650, that is a "slug" unit. I do not know to much about them but I have read that this was a power fad in the '70s. Extra power without blocking the view of the engineer.
Something I really like about Council Bluffs is how the trains almost seem to glide across the surface of the land. The mainlines have a little more ballast but the feeder lines are hardly built up at all. Except for rail yards and some sidings I really do not see to much of this.
They arent a failed experiment, they are common on smaller railroads. the idea is, two locomotives, for the price of ONE tank of fuel.
derVernichtet 7 months ago
Thank-you for taking the time to go through all of that. I think I now have a better understanding of the Slugs.
ipfeldspar 7 months ago
Slugs also have no diesel engine, they draw their power from the lead unit, thus, two engines, but only one diesel to fuel....
derVernichtet 7 months ago
OK. Thank-You for the correction. If I had looked close I should have seen that there was no exhaust, ergo, no diesel. I'm still a little confused on why they were made/ Was this a failed experiment? Why bother to buy/build a slug when you would probably have extra locomotives anyway? Someone must have had a specific marketing strategy on these things.... Thank-You for viewing and explaining things the right way.
ipfeldspar 7 months ago
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@ipfeldspar They arent a failed experiment, they are common on smaller railroads. the idea is, two locomotives, for the price of ONE tank of fuel.
derVernichtet 7 months ago
whats the half height thing for? looks like someone has taken the top half of the locomotive off
Xantec 1 year ago
It's sometimes known as a "slug". It's a powered unit that has reduced cost as it does not need a crew. Most of the time railroads hook up a second locomotive. The slugs allow extra power at a slightly reduced cost. I'm no expert but it looks like most railroads would rather hook up another locomotive as opposed to a slug.
ipfeldspar 1 year ago
@ipfeldspar Slugs are nothing but "add-ons" w/electric traction motors for extra tractive effort. The lack of crew is not what makes the reduced cost-that comes from it not having their own generators (the diesel engine). Because of this & because a slug has no cab, railroads would rather hook up a loco instead of a slug. Besides, with a cab unit running in reverse the train can go in either direction with the engineer at either end. Slugs are usually used only in the switch-yards.
ILSRWY4 7 months ago
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@Xantec Slugs are nothing but "add-ons" w/electric traction motors for extra tractive effort. The lack of crew is not what makes the reduced cost-that comes from it not having their own generators (the diesel engine). Because of this & because a slug has no cab, railroads would rather hook up a loco instead of a slug. Besides, with a cab unit running in reverse the train can go in either direction with the engineer at either end. Slugs are usually used only in the switch-yards.
ILSRWY4 7 months ago
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going there in 3 weeks time :D
trainmad345678 1 year ago
lol we go there sometimes from Omaha to run with the trains lol
metroareatransit 1 year ago
lol we always go here all the time with our car and we used to race the train me on foot running and the othetr person driving fast with the train lol
metroareatransit 1 year ago
She's working hard, you can tell!
cifn2 2 years ago
If you enjoy railroading in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area you might want to considering joining the Yahoo Group "Omaha/Council Bluffs Railfans."
ipfeldspar 2 years ago
It's been a while since I've been to that location. Quite a mix you can find like Union Pacific's coal trains, BNSF's trains heading north, and of course IAIS.
BNSFFREAK747 2 years ago
Council Bluffs, at one time, was the sixth largest rail center in the United States. You're right, it is a great mix of railroading and the variety is amazing. Even with the reduction of rail yards and railroads there is always something to check out.
ipfeldspar 2 years ago
What is the role of locomotive Slug?
Renwysocki 2 years ago
It provides power without having a high profile that obstructs the engineers view of the track.
ipfeldspar 2 years ago
This machine has only electric motors,
has no diesel engine.
Renwysocki 2 years ago
Where does the electric come from?
ipfeldspar 2 years ago
Comes from the locomotive.
She divides the energy of the generator of the locomotive.
The energy of 4 electric motor is divided into 8 electric motors.
Renwysocki 2 years ago
I was there just two days ago, and it just might be me, but that looks like the same latch up of locomotives working in the yard. (it was pushing around tank cars around the ConAgra plant)
Thelegotrainmaster 2 years ago
Not clear on your remark but I do know that these two units get around. Most of the time I see them crossing 16th Avenue, heading North then West.
ipfeldspar 2 years ago
What is that right behind the locomotive???
diggwadd 3 years ago
If you mean #650, that is a "slug" unit. I do not know to much about them but I have read that this was a power fad in the '70s. Extra power without blocking the view of the engineer.
ipfeldspar 3 years ago
Something I really like about Council Bluffs is how the trains almost seem to glide across the surface of the land. The mainlines have a little more ballast but the feeder lines are hardly built up at all. Except for rail yards and some sidings I really do not see to much of this.
ipfeldspar 3 years ago