OK I was searching through some train pictures on Google and stumbled upon this, I tried searching through rrpictureaechives which apparently is the source of the photo.
So what is it?
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
It is a Locotrol receiver, allowing radio signals from the cab to remotely control the mid train helpers on this coal train. 1960s technology, obviously considerably miniaturized for today's DPUs!
The Southern used old retired locomotive frames for these so-called "slave unit" receivers FT B unit, some Alco RSs, some Fairbanks Morse switchers), then got some that Berwick built, at least some of which used old boxcar bodies.
It is hard to tell but the trucks under 5955 almost look like Fairbanks Morse. I am sure some Southern specialist will fill us in,
Dave Nelson
here is link to a better photo of a different unit http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/sout/sout-5948.jpg
There is a guy over at Atlas Rescue Forum who modeled one in HO.
http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/6663/sunday-photo-fun-3-18?page=1
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
One difference with the model shown in the Atlas Rescue Forum link and the prototype pic in J.C.'s link for 5948 is it appears they don't have a side door, but the pic of 5955 in the orignal post does appear to show a side-door, kinda like WW2 Pullman 50' troop sleepers had. Interesting....
DavidH66I thought someone actually made these a few years back. I think it was either Rapido or Bowser.
You are right though a steam generator car would be a good start for a radio car being that they share a quite common platform.
Now my other question is how would you run those cars would you have a car with the leading units the one with the midtrain helpers and another with the end of train helpers or what?
I think with the Locotrol system, as it was in the 1960s at least, you'd have some version of the receiver car near the unmanned helpers (mid train and/or end of train) but not at the head end with the crewed locomotive. I do not know if Locotrol worked with more than one set of unmanned helpers per train, so perhaps it was mid train OR end of train but not both. Again perhaps someone more expert can weigh in.
Here's a tiny bit of news from the January 1970 Extra 2200 South. The #5955 is a radio car built from a Fairbanks Morse roadswitcher by the Marion Machine Works.
dknelson It is a Locotrol receiver, allowing radio signals from the cab to remotely control the mid train helpers on this coal train. 1960s technology, obviously considerably miniaturized for today's DPUs! The Southern used old retired locomotive frames for these so-called "slave unit" receivers FT B unit, some Alco RSs, some Fairbanks Morse switchers), then got some that Berwick built, at least some of which used old boxcar bodies. It is hard to tell but the trucks under 5955 almost look like Fairbanks Morse. I am sure some Southern specialist will fill us in, Dave Nelson
The SOU #5952 and #5953 were the radio cars rebuilt from FT boosters.
i may be wrong but the link photo is in mid train and has a 90 added to 5*** number , so it might be a reciver. http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/sout/sou905924y17.jpg
Southern radio car #5955 was rebuilt from H16-44 #2149. The radio car was rebuilt in April 1970 to a switcher slug and renumbered to Southern #2484, then renumbered to Southern #924. As a switcher slug it was paired with an SW1500. Data from Extra 2200 South #74.
Yeah, the angle of the prototype photo made it less clear, but still a radio car.
Looks like Steven is warming up for his next scratchbuild.
Very observant Rio grande, I won't be pulling the trigger just yet, I want to finish my super gondola project first.
dknelson I think with the Locotrol system, as it was in the 1960s at least, you'd have some version of the receiver car near the unmanned helpers (mid train and/or end of train) but not at the head end with the crewed locomotive. I do not know if Locotrol worked with more than one set of unmanned helpers per train, so perhaps it was mid train OR end of train but not both. Again perhaps someone more expert can weigh in. Dave Nelson
The Southern lococontrol master locomotives had the equipment in the high nose and on top of the regular control stand. The receiver cars were only used with the midtrain units. They could have put the receiving equipment in a locomotive as well but by using the receiver cars you could use any locomotive mid train. On Southern they would put the midtrain unit(s) in the middle of unit coal trains and about 3/4 of the way back in the train on general mixed freight trains. I don't recall Southern using them on the rear but may have been tried. I have heard they experimented with two sets of midtrain units but never became general use.
So theoretically a locotrol radio car could've been at the head end IF the units weren't equipped BUT it's not likely.
NWP SWP So theoretically a locotrol radio car could've been at the head end IF the units weren't equipped BUT it's not likely.
No. The radio cars received the telemetry and converted it back into MU data, if I recall correctly sent to trailing units through standard 27-pin cables. The equipment on the 'leaders' converted the control movements to radio and sent them ... many of the early problems coming when the radio signal was distorted or interrupted by terrain. Suspect we have several people on these forums with EXTENSIVE memories about what didn't quite work and what was done to fix the problems...
It was Wright Track Models and yes they still produce Southern Railway Locotrol Radio repeater cars in HO. Great kit too.
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.