The railroad is ordering 45 SD40N mother-slug sets to be built at Metro East Industries in East St. Louis beginning this year. The SD40Ns are upgraded from existing SD40-2s while the slugs, officially called PS6Bs by the railroad will be built from former SD38-2s and SD40-2s.
Unlike earlier Union Pacific PS6Bs that featured a cut down long hood and no cab, the new PS6Bs will retain most of their as-built appearance, complete with working cab. The slugs also have their prime movers removed and fuel tanks filled with concrete for additional ballast. They are also receiving electrical upgrades for slug duties.
Expect the first new slug set to emerge from Metro East Industries soon with deliveries throughout the rest of the year and into 2018.
Slugs don’t have prime movers, just traction motors, concrete in the fuel tank adds extra weight.
It is a good idea to re-read your composition to make certain that you are stating everything clearly. To me, the following would be clearer: “The slugs also have their prime movers and the fuel tanks are filled with concrete for additional ballast…”
“The slugs also have their prime mover and fuel tank filled with concrete for additional ballast…”
Are you implying that concrete slurry will be pumped into the cylinders and crankcases ??? The prime movers must have some value as spare parts.