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Show us your Slug builds !

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  • Member since
    May 2005
  • 1,037 posts
Show us your Slug builds !
Posted by dragonriversteel on Sunday, June 4, 2017 9:17 AM

Currently I'm building a NS slug number 804. Dunno if this slug is still lugging for NS or not. Liked it from the start.

I started the build using an old Athearn SD-9 dummy. Cut the hood off of the SD-9 sill. Used a old Atlas RS-11 shell for the Alco hood ends. That's as far as I've gotten.

Kinda scary cutting the shells for the first time. You get one chance NOT to screw it up. So far so good.

 

Let's see your custom built Slug units ! 

Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb

Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.

Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Sunday, June 4, 2017 10:33 AM

This is B&M slug 100. I started with an Athearn BB dummy GP-7. (B&M used an old GP-9, a scrapper bought from SP) I removed the cab, fuel tank and dynamic brake parts. Then I cut down the hoods to the proper height. I filled the cab, dyno brake and other openings with styrene, sanded the details off, covered the sides with thin styrene and filled with body putty. I added headlight and number board detail parts with MV Product lenses.

BM 100 was a road slug, so I completed the "Slug Set" (as the railfans called it) with a pair of Athearn BB non dynamic GP-40-2s, BM 300 and 301

The slug set lasted well into the Guilford years, and was eventually painted black with the orange strype.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, June 4, 2017 12:07 PM

 I am not sure this is whta you were looking for...

.

I am building a three unit transfer locomotive. Two "N/SW-5" locomotive slugs will make up the ends. I have not decided what to place in the middle as a control unit. My original plan was to use an Athearn EMC model 60 "Critter", but I think I might use an electric freight motor. Time will tell.

.

For now, this project is on the back burner.

.

.

-Kevin

.

>> EDIT << I just realized these are not slugs, but cabless booster units. Sorry.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, June 4, 2017 12:14 PM

SeeYou190
I just realized these are not slugs, but cabless booster units. Sorry. . -Kevin

Kevin,If you wished you could turn those calves into slugs by removing the stacks.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, June 4, 2017 1:16 PM

I just realized these are not slugs, but cabless booster units. _______

If you wished you could turn those calves into slugs by removing the stacks.

What makes a booster not a slug besides a stack?

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    December 2001
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Posted by mvlandsw on Sunday, June 4, 2017 1:54 PM

Slugs do not have an engine or generator, thus no need for an exhaust stack. They get their power from the mother unit through heavy electrical cables.

Mark Vinski

  • Member since
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  • From: Chamberlain, ME
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Posted by G Paine on Sunday, June 4, 2017 3:38 PM

For slug BM100, B&M basically stripped out everything above the walkways from that GP-9 leaving the traction motors and some basic controls. I have heard (not confirmed) that the hood area was filled with concrete blocks to add weight that was lost with the removal of the diesel, generator, and other stuff.

Calves or boosters are similar to the B units that you would see with the EMD E and F diesels, basically a complete diesel loco without engineers controls and workstation.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
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  • From: Ontario Canada
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Posted by Mark R. on Sunday, June 4, 2017 3:49 PM

 

 

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
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  • From: Massachusetts
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Posted by Bundy74 on Sunday, June 4, 2017 7:03 PM

G Paine
I have heard (not confirmed) that the hood area was filled with concrete blocks to add weight that was lost with the removal of the diesel, generator, and other stuff.

That is correct, 100 (and just about every other slug) was filled with concrete as ballast.  This is one of the blocks from the 100, which is still in the E. Deerfield yard.

http://photos.greatrails.net/showpic/?2008063023594432270.jpg:bysearch:slug:SEARCHTYPE=ADVANCED&PAGE=3&SEARCHSTRING=slug&BOOL=ANY&RAILROAD=82&POSTER=ANY&PHMS=&PHDS=&PHYS=&PHME=&PHDE=&PHYE=&POMS=&PODS=&POYS=&POME=&PODE=&POYE=

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

  • Member since
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  • From: Chamberlain, ME
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Posted by G Paine on Sunday, June 4, 2017 10:45 PM

Thanks Bundy74, I had envisioned dozens of solid concrete blocks the size of cinder block - that block is huge!

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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  • From: Boise, Idaho
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Posted by E-L man tom on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 10:48 AM

Very nice work on those CP units Mark! I don't have any slugs or calfs, but I really like the modeling concept. There doesn't seem to be much that is commercially available on claf and/or slug units, I always like to see what others do when you can't buy what you want.

I also like the B&M unit, very nicely done George!. But, tell me, are those units motorized or are they dummies?

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
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Posted by G Paine on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 2:23 PM

The GP40-2s are powered, the slug is a dummy

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    August 2004
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Posted by dinwitty on Thursday, June 8, 2017 7:59 PM
The most sluggy thing I did was take an athearn GP9 and make it into a B unit, then with an A unit painted it into a N&W ernish maroon color and lettered it to the clubs name, custom work. I later learned there was already a B unit converter kit but what the hey.
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, June 8, 2017 8:21 PM

Thanks for the info of slugs vs calves

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    September 2003
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Posted by mlehman on Friday, June 9, 2017 12:54 AM

Nice work, fellows, especially Mark R!

This is my slug, one of the hazards of night railroading. Fortunately, I saw it in the dim light and it then slithered (slimed?) off the track...

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, June 9, 2017 4:34 AM

Bundy74

 

 
G Paine
I have heard (not confirmed) that the hood area was filled with concrete blocks to add weight that was lost with the removal of the diesel, generator, and other stuff.

 

That is correct, 100 (and just about every other slug) was filled with concrete as ballast.  This is one of the blocks from the 100, which is still in the E. Deerfield yard.

http://photos.greatrails.net/showpic/?2008063023594432270.jpg:bysearch:slug:SEARCHTYPE=ADVANCED&PAGE=3&SEARCHSTRING=slug&BOOL=ANY&RAILROAD=82&POSTER=ANY&PHMS=&PHDS=&PHYS=&PHME=&PHDE=&PHYE=&POMS=&PODS=&POYS=&POME=&PODE=&POYE=

 

Nice Hayes-type bumper post, BTW.

Rich

Alton Junction

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    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, June 9, 2017 4:35 AM

dragonriversteel

Currently I'm building a NS slug number 804. Dunno if this slug is still lugging for NS or not. Liked it from the start.

I started the build using an old Athearn SD-9 dummy. Cut the hood off of the SD-9 sill. Used a old Atlas RS-11 shell for the Alco hood ends. That's as far as I've gotten.

Kinda scary cutting the shells for the first time. You get one chance NOT to screw it up. So far so good. 

Let's see your custom built Slug units !  

Just out of curiosity, what type of tool are you using to cut the shell?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • 1,037 posts
Posted by dragonriversteel on Friday, June 9, 2017 8:01 PM

richhotrain

 

 
dragonriversteel

Currently I'm building a NS slug number 804. Dunno if this slug is still lugging for NS or not. Liked it from the start.

I started the build using an old Athearn SD-9 dummy. Cut the hood off of the SD-9 sill. Used a old Atlas RS-11 shell for the Alco hood ends. That's as far as I've gotten.

Kinda scary cutting the shells for the first time. You get one chance NOT to screw it up. So far so good. 

Let's see your custom built Slug units !  

 

 

Just out of curiosity, what type of tool are you using to cut the shell?

 

Rich

 

 

 Rich,

 

  I used a Dremel EZ Lock cutting kit. These come with different cutting wheels thicknesses. Outstandingly well at cutting with precision,like cutting shells. Use to use Dremel cutting disk but they're a bit dangerous. Ez-lock is bullet proof.

I highly recommend picking this Dremel kit up next time your at Wal-Mart or Lowe's. Great tool !

Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb

Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.

Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • 1,037 posts
Posted by dragonriversteel on Friday, June 9, 2017 8:10 PM

 Fellow's,

 

     I can only dream of obtaining HO art like you guys have done with your slugs. Wow ! Mine turned out good enough for me. Six make-believe axles of EMD fury sandwiched between two Alco C-628's.

Thank you all for sharing your wonderful models.

Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb

Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.

Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.

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