Greetings All,
The Empire Belt Tests an EMD Cow and Calf Set
Today we've turned back the clock to the early 1960s as New York Central subsidiary, the Empire Belt RR, tests an EMD Cow and Calf set for use in local switching operations.
Prototype Information
What exactly is an EMD cow and calf set you ask. Basically it is two powered switch engines with only one unit having an operators cab. EMD introduced these units in 1940 which were designated as Transfer units and carried the TR prefix. The cow and calf name comes from railfans and not the EMD catalog.
The first TR set went to the Illinois Central. I'll provide a link below for more info on these locomotives.
Model Information
Several years ago I painted an Athearn non powered calf unit as NYC 8842 and outfitted it as a track cleaning car with a Masonite pad knowing the NYC did not have the cow and calf sets. As the years went by I put this calf unit aside as prototype fidelity came to the forefront of my modeling.
As time went on I thought the non prototypical calf might work well for my freelanced Empire Belt RR during my non PCCM train operations where less tonnage is moved in a session. This way I could run the op and clean the track at the same time which is a win-win for me.
Below the EBRR guys have gathered as Senior Engineer Sir Neal starts up the calf unit which will be tested with SW8 9622 on today's Belt Job.
The Athearn 8842 looks good coupled up to the Proto 2000 SW8 9622, a 1953 EMD product. The F7 A-B-B-A led freight train is being held for Train EC-1 heading to North Side Yard to clear the mainAlco Joe has brought Train EC-1 into North Side Yard and checks out the cow and calf units from the front porch of his lightning striped Alco RS2 prior to heading back to Terminal Yard.
The cow and calf units get to work on the Belt Line. The NH boxcar is a Walthers track cleaning car. The P-2000 switch engine has enough power to handle both track cleaning cars. The rails should really shine when this op is completed!!
Reefers are spotted at Empire Produce and the midtown siding tracks get cleaned.
The cow and calf units exit the midtown siding.
The Belt Job works the west side industries. The NYC Pacemaker car is also affixed with a track cleaning Masonite pad.
The cow and calf bring the Belt Job back towards North Side Yard ending day one of their testing.
Watch the Cow & Calf in action working the Belt Job.
Final Thoughts
The test went well as the P-2000 SW8 has enough power to handle a decent amount of freight cars and the non powered track cleaning calf. As Empire City freight traffic increases more power will be needed and the calf may find itself sandwiched between the EBRR GP18s and GP30s going forward. We'll see.
Thanks for reading and watching!!!
See you soon!!!
Nice work with the NYC Cow/Calf set. When will send them to the Patti-O Paint Shop and have the crew make them into EB units? Inquiring minds want to know!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir Neal!!! The SW8 is going to remain an NYC unit. As for the, we'll have to see. I like how it looks in the NYC garb.
DeleteThe cow and calf consist looks like a winner for the EBRR at North Side Yard and for local runs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralph. It worked well and looked "different" from the usual motive power.
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