P ROTOTYPE MODE L E R - DECEMB E R 1 978

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HO F ROM A THEA RN KITS
area. C&S 831-842 were built with the late SD-9 carbody having two 48" fans over the radiators, a slightly taller cab and nose, and omitting the battery boxes on the walkway behind the cab. (The parts list has those items required for a model of C&S 831-842 included, but this article will concentrate on the original carbody.) The Q units, while used system-wide, ",el. {Q. IillQ.. QI.imarily on coal trains in Southern Illinois and in the Northwest pool between Lincoln, Nebraska, and Laurel, Montana while the C&S units were used on all home trackage from Wyoming to Texas (on the FW&D). Since major work on the C&S units was commonly done at Lincoln or West Burl ington, Iowa, it was not uncommon to find C&S units mixed with Q power on the west end of the system while being ferried to or from the shops. The delivery of General Electric U25C 's, U28's, and EMD GP40's in the mid-60's allowed the SD-9's to be downgraded from hotshots to secondary freights and locals. During that period, the cab windows of many of the units lost their sun shades and wind screens and had all-weather win dows installed in their place for use in switching service. Nearly all Q units were so equipped by 1970. To protect the right of way from sparks, which may re-

B urlington colors on the point with two repainted units following and Burlington units bringing up the rear.

Gib A llbach photo.

suit from carbon build-up in older units running at low speeds, most of the units, C&S included, got spark arrestors during the same period. In 1968, Nebraska passed a law requir ing locomotives operating within the state on a regular basis to be equipped with rotary beacons on the cab roofs for added visibility. As a result, SD-9's assigned to Lincoln were equipped with "Cullen" style beacons mounted in the center of the cab roof (see Table I for a listing of those units which are known to be so equipped). All of the units came equipped with Mars signal lights. Burlington 325-374, 430-439 , and C&S 820-830, being equipped