Trains: 6 Axle Mother/Slug Tandem / Switching at Chicago Clearing Yard

[@nickohanesian]

As I understand it, a slug is simply a cutdown locomotive w/the engine removed. It provides an extra set of traction motors for use in slow speed switching. A calf is a locomotive without a cab. It still has an engine.

[@JungleYT]

Thanks for the explanation... Was wondering why it had no smoke stacks like a Cow?

[@nickohanesian]

A calf is essentially an engine without a cab. The second unit in this video is a slug. It has no motor. It is powered from the other unit. Slugs are used in slow speed switching operations because diesel electric locomotives produce more more electricity than can be safely routed through the traction motors at slow speeds. A slug gives the railroad an two extra traction motors without using an additional locomotive.

[@dogstar7]

I'll have to take your word for it, you're more an expert. I'm simply a guy with a camera who saw something from an overpass that fascinated me. Thanks for the observation.

[@paullangford8179]

Going on foot through the yard with one of those sets trailing you ... just like walking the dog!

[@METX210]

Very cool! I love to see the switching moves!

[@paendinb]

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[@METX210]

+Paendin kum No one cares!

[@jameswatson5304]

I`m praying that this will be my future employer, I`m keeping my fingers crossed. Waiting to hear from them.

[@snydedon9636]

Well did you hear from them?

[@jameswatson5304]

@@snydedon9636 No. But I got hired by the BNSF, I'm a Locomotive Engineer working out of the Powder River Basin.

[@snydedon9636]

@@jameswatson5304 that’s great! Congrats

[@TheCandoRailfan]

A remote control unit is always controlled by a belt pack worn by the crews.

[@majorwoody1720]

I was going to the airport and passed on the bridge and saw one.

[@boblindt9384]

The ULTIMATE train layout.

[@alansklenar4920]

A quite a few years the CNW and a few other roads had road slugs

[@larryrwendelljr4465]

Interesting catch.

[@Opinionatedguy1989]

there is a belt pack. notice how he puts his hand near his abdomen just before the locomotive starts or stops

[@jamielacourse7578]

So the engine is providing juice to the traction motors?

[@irelandbloke]

Great videos ! :)

[@labhunter1]

@nickohanesian You are correct.

[@achannelaboutplayinggamesa2025]

Why does the light is on the slug locomotive

[@hughvane]

As far as I know, and I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will correct me if necessary, NZ Rail used slave units (slugs) with their own diesel motors and generators, as well as traction motors. They could be seen mounted mid-train on long haul, but I think they were British stock. I'm referring back to the 1960's.

those are B units- locomotives without a cab slugs do not have prime movers or generators- just traction motors

[@shadowknight227]

Actually, if I am correct, a slug has just traction motors, a b-unit has an engine and traction motors, but no cab, and a calf has traction motors, and a cab, but no engine.

[@dennispersson9466]

Well, in my memory, from the 50's road engines had Overhead or 3rd rail electricity, or diesel or gas engine, and generator combination, to power the electric motors in the wheel sets, and if they had a cab, were called 'A' units, without cabs, were 'B' units. Anything without electric power, or Diesel/Gas Engine/Generator, and without cabs, were called Road Slugs, Slaves, or Mates. Yard engines were used in yard switching & sorting cars or short trains of a few cars, and nicknamed Cows, the cabless ones, Calves, Mates, or yard slugs if they had no engines. ANY powered engine could've been fitted with radio remote control units. In the U.S., the P.C. culture demanded the word Slaves be eliminated, although in the rest of the English Speaking World it describes 'Anything not having it's Own power source', but the 'Easily Offended White Skins' haven't come up with a satisfying replacement since Pre-Babylonian times.

[@TriStateRailfan]

You MOTHERSLUGGER! xD

[@boblindt9384]

The locos to witch u r referring to is a cow & calf. the cow has the cab the calf has no cab & they both have engines & traction motors. A slug has no cab & no engine only traction motors & usually has concrete where the engine was.

[@inspiringengineer]

Interesting thought for all you technical railroad technical people, how much ballast do they put in a slug/calf? I'm wondering if it would be possible to replace the ballast with batteries and recover energy descending hills to give extra power climbing the other side....

[@inspiringengineer]

+ChuffChuffWoo I'll work out what batteries it would need, I just need to know the weight :)

[@epistte]

+ChuffChuffWoo I had the same idea about 10 years ago. Don't bother pursuing this idea because GE already owns that patent.

[@inspiringengineer]

OK - thanks! :)

[@25mfd]

The railroad, in this case is, concerned about tractive effort. The ballast is there to increase pulling power by placing more weight on the wheels.

[@epistte]

The batteries would work with the prime mover to save fuel and lower emissions, instead of replacing it. They could split the necessary weight with concrete or steel plates and lead-acid batteries.

[@LastExile1989]

Whats the difference between a B unit and a slug?

[@ivyblue1664]

AsianPerson3 "B" unit would have its own engine, controlled from the "A" unit. Slug has no engine, just traction motors taking power from the coupled locomotive. The single locomotive can generate more power than its motors can use at low speeds, slug takes up that power and adds weight for switching.

[@1992cdwilliams]

nice

[@khadijagwen]

So, we have #3001 at the yards in Portland, Oregon. Is the part with no cab just an engine with no dynamic braking?

[@coolgyger]

+Khadijah Brown No, The Slug is just an engine frame with traction motors and extra weight to improve traction. It takes power from the Mother unit to power it's traction motors, so it has no diesel engine or generator. And since it is basically an extension of the mother unit's electrical system, yes it would have Dynamic Braking if the Mother unit is equipped with it.

[@khadijagwen]

coolgyger Thank you. The guys down at the shop make me feel uncomfortable asking non girl questions.

[@TFN5459]

That's why its called a cow/calf configuration

[@freighttrainsahpassing9790]

hah, I thought it was all on engine at first lol !!!

[@Creeperboy099]

I didn't know there were American made locomotives capable of remote control

[@epistte]

Most remote controlled locomotives are old units that were rebuilt just for low-speed yard duty.

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Could probably make any locomotive with electrical multiple unit connections remote control with a device that does the same m.u. inputs that a leading manually controlled locomotive would.

[@paullangford8179]

The huge iron ore freights in Western Australia have multiple locomotives radio-controlled. GE, EMD, Alco up to 6000 hp.

[@patf03]

Wow

[@EASYMOTOVLOG]

2:00 Harley sound

[@dogstar7]

good catch

[@hansknutson2327]

A lot of what you eat. Travels in rail cars like those on this video.

[@boblindt9384]

Nice remote control. Maybe D.C.C? Ha ha ha ha.

[@dogstar7]

@RANDY2045 Please elaborate. I'm really no expert, myself. This is the best information I've found so far. Other people have messaged me, but if you would rather contribute from the comment section, I would really appreciate it.

[@shadowknight227]

No. The locomotive in this video is a slug

[@jurassicrailfan]

Lel that kind of loco was shown in how do they do it xdd

[@charlesdell2864]

Are the slugs primarily used in yards, or do they sometimes go on a run.

[@25mfd]

+Gary Plastek Slugs are mostly used in the yard. They do sometimes go out on transfer runs though.

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

BRC is not a big railroad. All of their equipment can be seen anywhere they operate if it is what happens to be ready for work.

[@disneylandfreak98]

That's called a calf..

[@TriStateRailfan]

Does a slug ever have a horn The slug engine it's self

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Yes Slugs and B units have had all kinds of typical normal locomotive fixtures to meet specific needs.

[@charlesdell2864]

does the so called slug run off diesel fuel?

[@epistte]

+Gary Plastek The slug doesn't have a motor. Its just traction motors that are driven by the engine in the mother. the lump in the spine of the slug is a piece of concrete to give it wweight.

[@kjclark1963]

No. The slug does not have a prime mover and does not generate its own power.

[@TheOscarBluth]

@dogstar7

[@TOM-hr4uj]

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