CN MLW S-3 Boosters Nos. 160 – 168

Converted from retired MLW S-3 switchers, engines and cab removed, new carbody constructed. Slugs (known as boosters on CNR) have no engine and must be electrically connected to a locomotive (often referred to as a “mother” unit) that supplies electrical power to the booster’s traction motors. The advantage of a slug is that at low speeds the mother unit is producing more electrical power than its own traction motors can use. This excess power is used to power the booster’s traction motors, producing additional tractive effort without using additional fuel. The boosters were originally numbered in the B1 – B15 number series, all were renumbered. Some were assigned to the 300, 160, 265 and 700 series over the course of their service lives.

Trucks: B-B AAR Type A

No engine

Gear ratio 75:16

Maximum speed 40 mph

Operating weight 247,000 lbs.

Tractive effort 36,000 lbs.

Length 44′-5 3/4″

Road no.ClassFormer road nos.Subsequent road no.RetiredNotes / disposition
160Mh-00a302, B-2Mar 18 91To Sidbec-Feruni for scrap Apr 93
161Mh-00a302, B-3Oct 20 95To Sidbec-Feruni for scrap Feb 2 96
162Mh-00a303, B-4Dec 8 88
163Mh-00a306, B-7Oct 20 95To Tri-Province for scrap Feb 2 96
164Mh-00a310, B-11Nov 20 96To Southern Marine 1998
165Mh-00a304, B-5262
166Mh-00a307, B-8July 30 92Sold to Sidbec-Feruni for scrap Apr 93
167Mh-00a308, B-9265
168Mh-00a309, B-10Jan 24 97To Port Colborne Harbour Railway 1999, scrapped 2012