I caught this shot yesterday and am completely ignorant about what type of "engine" it is. Any body here know?
It appears to be what's usually referred to as a "slug," a cabless booster unit to be added to a lash-up of motive power. Kind of a modern equivelant of the cabless B units often seen with the older F units.
Thanks Eagle2, I have never seen one like that before. I have been seeing BNSF in the local CN line lately. On 4/1 I saw 2BNSF, 1UP and 2 CN in a power consist with BNSF leading the way. I have not seen any but CN around here for years. The photo above was 2 BNSF, the CN slug and 1 CN loco. [video=youtube;-4LwnHdvPAo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4LwnHdvPAo[/video]
I've always like catching those kind of mixed up consists. Out here, I've occasionally seen NS and KCS units, and the occasional NdeM. Makes things much more interesting.
By definition, a slug is NOT a booster engine ("B unit") because it has no prime mover. Its traction motors get their power from a dedicated "mother" unit, to provide extra traction at low speeds. What you saw is likely one used in road service. Dieter Zakas
It is a slug, however your definition of a slug is incorrect, Dieter's is. A cabless booster unit is exactly the same as a cabbed unit, except for the lack of a cab.
One other comment about a Slug...the hood area is usually filled with concrete for weight when the prime mover is removed.
I hope this fixes it. It's my first time uploading to youtube. [video=youtube;aNlrUaOKk2A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNlrUaOKk2A[/video] This one should be public. Please let me know that it worked....or not.
