A weather beaten CNR GP9RM Number 7646 (Originally GP-9 4605 built in 1957) switches “Chemical Valley” in Sarnia Ontario alongside Slug 220 and GP38-2(w) 4785 on a sunny October day in 2017.
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Musings on my Model Railroading Addiction 
I’m guessing the ‘slug’ refers to the cut down cabless loco in the middle. Is that what it is? Or is it a brake tender?
You’ve got the right unit, but both guesses as to exactly what a Slug in North American parlance are are wrong. Technically CN calls them Yard Boosters, but they are purpose built non-motorized units, which draw power from their mother locomotive, in this case the GP9RM 7246 to power the traction motors for extra oomph in yard shunting operations. It’s not a brake tender as you’d see in the UK which as i understand it is just basically a heavy weight unit paired to help braking efficiency.
Stephen
That would be the exact opposite of a brake tender then! To get heavy trains moving in slow speed movements?