They are little seen in the fact that these units do not see road work, like on the Transcon. Agreed?
Well yeah, although I did see one ina consist at Vancouver Wa 2-3 years ago. I don't have the pic online. I don't remember if it was a six axle or a 4 axle slug. OF course, I doubt it was loading in that consist it was probably just a move.
I can't find any info on them. The 2 pictured appear to have flexcoil trucks which means they're probably off of 645 based units. I know my old BNSF roster book for 1997 shows some with the older 3 brake cylinder trucks. This is probably not the appropriate place to ask, but why did Santa Fe purchase the SD39s? versus 40s or SD38s? For that matter, what attracted them to GP39-2s?
This may be a silly question. Why don't we see more use of slugs? Is there a drawback, or serious limitation to them? I thought they were good, as fuel savers. Boxcab E50
Well, CSX seems to be using a lot of them. As I said in the environmental engine thread, what I think would be logical is if the Green goat were made into a slug. It only uses it's small Diesel sparingly, why not get that power from a GP40 or better? The other thing I don't understand is why they don't mate 4 axle mothers with 6 axle slugs or vice versa.
Great shots, Harold and YoHo! Here are 3 sets, taken in February 2004: You can see the tail end of a fourth set peeking out close to the bottom right hand corner. The "mothers" in Barstow are all SD39s that originate from a coal line somewhere - Doofus or someone more knowledgeable will fill in or correct. Several of the slugs are old SD7s, one (3971) is IIRC an SD40 or 45. Look at the differences in the sidesills in these pictures:
I think it was a HP and fuel economy issue... GP/SD38's were 2000 hp (non-turbocharged); GP/SD40's were 3000 hp (turbocharged). Railroads were looking for a little more HP than the 38's and less HP and fuel consumption than the 40's. Hence the 39's! Harold
That's a great photo of Barstow Yard. I love the overall view of the entire operation. I wonder if the New Orleans PD would let me walk up the I-10 High Rise Bridge to photograph CSX's Gentilly Yard from the same perspective. Nah, they'd probably think I was a terrorist plotting to blow up the Saints. On the other hand why would the NOPD care, the Saints are blowing themselves up without my help....
Thanks for the info, and neat shots, William! Ya know, I never thought to look at the side sill to help determine the donor engine...
Neither did I... till I decided to make a slug. When I decided to use an SD35 as donor and studied the pictures, I realized I shoulda picked an SD7 or SD9... Now all I need is for someone to make an SD39. Hey Atlas, if you could make an SD24 Or Kato, you already made an HO SD38...
Good shot of the yard, William. I have no intentions in climbing the higher hill, I only stay with that lower plateau.
