http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=100815
That engine belongs to Kansas City Southern (KCS). According to the caption, it has been assigned to MOW service. Note that it can only be used as a "B-Unit" (not leading or controlling).
Mike
The caption list's the engine as an RCO unit (Radio Controlled Unit0. RCO units are operated by a man on the ground using a contoling radio belt back. To the extent that RCO units have a prime mover and air compressors they can be used as 'B' units in road haul work.
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BaltACD The caption list's the engine as an RCO unit (Radio Controlled Unit0. RCO units are operated by a man on the ground using a contoling radio belt back. To the extent that RCO units have a prime mover and air compressors they can be used as 'B' units in road haul work.
Actually this locomotive is controlled from the crane on the front of the consist. It is on temarary track that will never see balast and had been set aside for MOW service. But yah this GP9 is for pushing the crane on the head end.
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Justin,
Our friend BaltACD was simply stating what was listed by the caption in the photograph. Assuming that it was indeed a remote control unit, many times in fact they can be consisted with other units and used much as a "B" unit would be. BaltACD is correct in that sense. The "B" unit marker on this locomotive is not to designate it as a "B" type locomotive, but is due to a MOW series of cars with the 907 numbering. There are other 907's such as 907A, 907C, etc.
Trying to correct him about the use though, is where I found fault. Looking back to this thread which you clearly posted in, it is listed that the locomotive is used to push a Jordan spreader in M.O.W. service. There is no crane involved.
Other photo evidence from RRPictures and other various railfan sites also support that this unit may in fact be a "RCO" unit. There are numerous shots with this locomotive and the 907 series gondolas out by themselves without the spreader. Those shots lead one to believe that this locomotive is indeed "RCO" capable, without "Cab car" style controls such as those found in MOW plows and spreaders.
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Ok I see now it is a spreader. Thanks for correcting me!
Units do get their windows blocked out when turned to B-Unit status, I have seen this. Actually I saw one of the unique BQ23-7s with its windows like this on a train, obviously not leading. From everyone's responses I will guess this one has a more specialised service to perform.
But, what's the purpose of getting the locomotive's windows blocked out isn't that just a waste. why don't they just keep it as regular status and if they do decide to remove the prime mover and turn it into a slug why don't they just keep it as a control cab or somthin like that? I just don't get it!
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