Haysi #1

Dear ??? (engineer)

You've got to file Haysi #1 F7B as a "prototype for everything"/"the exception which proves the rule" oddball.

B-units were/are commonly equipped with "hostler controls", literally hardwired "notch 1 = go" and "stop" buttons for ultra-low-speed movement around loco terminals and similar. However, they weren't intended to "actually driving a train".

However, in the case of Haysi #1, there were windows cut in the end-wall and EMD portholes in the side. These plus a retrofitted AAR control stand formed a "normal cab" (after a homebrew fashion), from which an engineer "drove" as if it was a normal "A-unit".

All-around viewing must have been horrendously restricted, and the "in-cab noise" would have been deafening,
but if all you can afford is a B-unit and you've got road-train-length rakes of coal hoppers to move...

Furthur reading:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2516396

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/6/5/6/9656.1380003260.jpg

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/6/4/0/6640.1386630138.jpg

http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0304/haysi1.jpg

http://clinchfieldcountry.com/photos/haysi/images/haysi1.jpg

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

​PS for contemporary (1980-2010) situations, it would be entirely plausible to see such a unit running under radio remote bellypack control...

Switching

"Switching" for this unit is shoving cars up under a dumper,  its not spotting other industries and classifying cars.  Its just a big car mover.

Ya Gotta love it!

Especially the added footboards!

George

Converted E units

CNW and Rock Island both converted E-series B units into road power with homemade cabs and noses, but that's a tad large for just switching. 

Mike in CO

B Unit

David Stewart uses a B unit to switch cars at the mine on his O scale A&O model railroad. There is a picture of it on his website under version 1.0 of the A&O.

David's B Unit

Here's a different view of David's P&D B unit at King Coal, from the same photo shoot that produced the photo that Tony used in his book. David was inspired by the Haysi B unit and added the end window for an operator.

By the way, the Haysi unit was also equipped with remote controls. It is now in the possession of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Here's the cab end, shot in 2002 from the engineer's seat of a GP7 (after stopping the engine for this photo.)

One more thing. Here's a somewhat distant view inside D&RGW F9B #5763 showing the hostler's controls and the hinged side port hole window. B units did have a bell and a single note horn.

Bob S