NS Research Units #34 and #38 ?

Trains Magazine Locomotives
1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57FFfhqPlFg

I have seen several photos of these ‘research units’ does anyone have any ideas about their Specific Functions?

[the following comment was from the video comments]

The NS #34 was originally an SD35 that was built for the norfork and western. It was #1530 originally. The cab that you see was just added last year. Inside there is no actual locomotive control. #34 houses electric equipment for track testing. It came in on the scanner as NS995 which is the call sign for a test train. (lilbenson356)

I am familiar with the types of cars that are used as Dynamometer Cars, Track Geometry Cars, but what do these units do? The do occasionally travel with a passenger car that is #33 (not sure what its function is(?) They have been configured from retired diesel locomotives, (see above comment) it is pretty obvious the traction motors are removed, but the fuel tanks are retained, the #38 seems to have a cab that has been doubled in size, they may house some kind of electric generator, hence the fuel tanks.(?)

Hopefully someone can post information as to what the ‘slugs’ are used for by NS and how they function.

They are very unusual, and apparently one-off models, designed to do a specific job for the NS.

2

IIRC these are NS verison of Track Dynamic Cars. Think about it what do most other Class ones use an old Passenger car that might weigh what 60 tons if your lucky. What will show if the track is screwed up a car at 60 tons or a Locomtive based one at over 150 tons moving at track speed. Think of these as a Fully Sensor rigged DD40X that guy at the UP lovews to take out and see how well his MOW people are doing to see how good of shape his Trackwork is in. He was quoted in trians I think saying Nothing will show how good the Tracks are in but my 6936 she will show anyplace that is NOT up to standards faster than anything I have found.