That cabless locomotive is typically called a "B Unit" meaning it can only be operated when DP'd to a standard locomotive with a crewed cab, which would be called the "A Unit". Very large cables are hooked up between the two (or more) units so that the trailing units operate off of the same control inputs that come back from the A unit. That B unit pictured is very likely older than the newer road engines on both ends of it, since it so closely resembles the older "Jeeps" that we commonly used for yard switching or short run turns.

Another version on that B unit is called a Slug, but unlike a B unit a Slug is shorter in height has no engine or generator so it doesn't produce its own power. It's basically used as an accessory to a standard locomotive, which transmits its electrical power back to the slug to power the slug's traction motors.

Those big road engines were fun to operate, I remember one trip where we were trying to take an empty coal unit train to western MN. Two locomotives on each end (4 total) with only one cut in for power on each end. We started having trouble not far into the trip though, every time we cut power on the lead unit the tail unit kept pushing - that was an experience lol.

my wifes uncle worked for the railroads in washington,utah and idaho during the steam days and into the diesel electric times. boy were his stories interesting:clap2:

Hey Slick I didn't know they still had the b units. Haven't seen
any here in west Texas for years.

Also I didn't know they ran engine-less loco's either photo #4

Your learning a lot about the railroad. Hate to let you down, but I don't think they are hiring right now.

C u and keep us up in pics

Claney

"Claney" wrote:

Hey Slick

Your learning a lot about the railroad. Hate to let you down, but I don't think they are hiring right now.

C u and keep us up in pics

Claney

I've seen some Santa Fe ads recently looking for help.

Daron

The #4 pic. that Oil Slick posted. is having it's engine overhauled. They don't run engines like that out on the road with no engine in it.
The B unit engine with NO engine is getting it's power from a engine in front of it like was stated. What he didn't say was that that B unit is weighted down real heavy and is used in switching, where the engines are revved up and take out real fast and then stop quick. That B unit is really used for addition braking. And they can also be used with a A unit for pushing cars up a hump to be humped into a yard to make up trains. catskinner, upkpfan

"catskinner" wrote:

The B unit engine with NO engine is getting it's power from a engine in front of it like was stated. What he didn't say was that that B unit is weighted down real heavy and is used in switching, where the engines are revved up and take out real fast and then stop quick. That B unit is really used for addition braking. And they can also be used with a A unit for pushing cars up a hump to be humped into a yard to make up trains. catskinner, upkpfan

The B unit shown in pic 6 is a 4-axle (2 per truck) EMD GP60B. It has its own engine. Basically it is full locomotive without a cab. They were commonly used with GP60M. There are or were some areas of the US with very tight curves so they used the GP60M and a B unit or the GE B40-8W, all 2 axles per truck.

There were only a handful built and it is very rare to see one these days. Originally they were painted in the Warbonnet paint scheme. I think all the survivors have been repainted into the Heritage scheme as shown in your pic.

Thanks for the information guys. Seems like most of us who like Cats like trains too. As I’m selling off all my Cats I’ve been collecting N scale Kato and Atlas engines and cars. As my eyes are fading I’m thinking I should have got HO scale. But guess I’ll be getting thicker readers. LoL

Claney, I’ve been hauling small commercial air conditioner units out of NC so there not very exciting to post pictures of but they pay really good. I pick up the 1,500 lb AC unit then find something else to go on my trailer like the trash compactor. Called LTL freight. Less Than Truck Load. If I can get a few things on my trailer going to Los Angeles from North Carolina at $1.50 each I can make a couple bucks. Unfortunately going east doesn’t pay nearly as well since California has driven out most of the industry.