13th July 2004

(1) A closer look at BC Rail CRS20-CAT, no. 629, with "Slug" no. S408, stabled in the yard. The CRS20-CAT was an ex-Alco RS-18, one of many Bo-Bo units owned by the railroad that were converted from 1990 by the replacement of the 1800 hp Alco engine by a Caterpillar 2000hp engine. The slug would also have been an ex-locomotive, its prime mover removed, along with the cab, but with traction motors still in place.

At slow speed a locomotive generally has more power than it can use, so by adding a second "Slug" unit the railroad gets the benefit of two locomotives for a fraction of the cost of buying one new. Permanently coupled, they are only good for yard switching and local jobs.