Western Railroad Discussion > San Luis & Rio Grande 459 and 227 on the UP Greeley Sub

Should be in Denver by now, we were trying to track it on the Colorado Railfan yahoo list with trouble as it kept getting delayed. Finally, today it showed up to my surprise...

1. Rolling through Cheyenne already as I got there with no time to spare....
2 & 3 Little America, Cheyenne

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4. Speer, Wyoming
5 & 6 Approaching Nunn, Colorado while I am cursing at the clouds....

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Color and black & white versions, showing the odd nose of 459 (chopped on the Canadian American for switching purposes, 459 is the mother, 227 is the slug.)

As a bonus, the radio tower on 459 here is shown fully extended (just kidding!)

Supposed to be delivered to Pueblo on the MNYPU Thursday the 12th...

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and where are these units travelling from/to?...and for what reason?

Headed from New York rebuild (American Motive Power?) to to the SLRG. We still aren't sure for what, the SLRG has been stockpiling power recently. Should have at least one SD43MAC soon (currently at VMV Paducah).



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/09 14:20 by NH2006.

Two SD90MAC's ex CEFX 115 and 116.

They might be wanting to rid themselves of those GE's they have which have given trouble.

How cool is that? An F40 slug, or F40B? What do you call it?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/09 15:03 by sp8192.

HLCX 1000 is headed to West Texas and Lubbock from SLRG. Has been in yard @ Walsenburg for last several days.

Don G



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/09 19:43 by degilchr.

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The units may be for the upcoming ski train Denver-Winter Park.

STG6199 Wrote:
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> The units may be for the upcoming ski train
> Denver-Winter Park.

I've heard that road slugs are good only at relatively low speed. Once you get speed up, the slug cuts out, and speed drops. Then the slug cuts back in...would make for a rough ride.

NH2006 Wrote:
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> I've heard that road slugs are good only at
> relatively low speed. Once you get speed up, the
> slug cuts out, and speed drops. Then the slug
> cuts back in...would make for a rough ride.

This is correct, which makes a road slug a good call for the SLRG over LaVeta Pass where curvature and grades limit trains to 10-15 MPH. A good way to better utilize the 3,000 ponies under the hood of the F40.

The Ski Train operation would need all the horsepower of two F40s and then some (recall Anschutz's train ran with three F40s), not only because people are fairly heavy cargo (when you consider weight per cubic foot) but also because up to 800 HP can be diverted from tractive effort for generating HEP. Additionally, those former CDAC F40s with the front steps are supposed to have had their HEP equipment removed, so they are an all-around poor choice for the Ski Train.

Actually, I wouldn't be surpreised if one or both of those CEFX SD9043MACS SLRG has leased wound up on the Ski Train with a separate HEP generator car. They're modern power both the UP and Amtrak would likely be comfortable with operating.

NZ

Oh for crying out loud. The slug definition finally sank into this slug. Of course this equates slow speed service and would not suffice for the ski train. Will be interesting to see what they do come up with for power.