CN MLW Boosters Nos. B-1 to B-15

15 units, built by CN 1964 – 1965

B-B

Operating weight – 247,000 lbs.

Tractive effort – 36,000 lbs.

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. Nos. B-1 to B-15 were used in hump yard service, initially in pairs between a pair of MLW S-13 switchers.

Road no.ClassRebuilt fromRebuiltRenumbered toRenumbering date
B-1MH-00a8477Jun 3 64300c. 1969
B-2MH-00a8452Jun 3 64301c. 1969
B-3MH-00a8462Dec 2 64302c. 1969
B-4MH-00a8465Jul 22 64303c. 1969
B-5MH-00a8487Jan 9 65304c. 1969
B-6MH-00a8491Jan 24 65305c. 1969
B-7MH-00a8488Jan 9 65306c. 1969
B-8MH-00a8489Dec 2 64307c. 1969
B-9MH-00a8479Dec 15 64308c. 1969
B-10MH-00a8495Feb 25 65309c. 1969
B-11MH-00a8466Feb 14 65310c. 1969
B-12MH-00a8494Mar 13 65311c. 1969
B-13MH-00a8464Mar 3 65312c. 1969
B-14MH-00a8450Sep 23 66313c. 1969
B-15MH-00a8451Dec 14 66314c. 1969