Update..

[BigB]

I asked Gemini what's going on:
You are spot on about the location. Slate Auto is taking over the massive former R.R. Donnelley printing plant (about 1.4 million square feet) in Warsaw for their manufacturing hub.
Regarding the railroad tracks, here is the situation:
1. The Rail Line Status
You are likely seeing activity because they are indeed preparing that line for heavy freight again. The tracks running right next to the factory belong to the Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad (CF&E).
* Yes, they are upgrading: There have been recent projects to upgrade crossings and maintain the track through Warsaw (you might have seen crossing closures recently).
* Why it's happening: Slate has explicitly stated they plan to use those rail lines to ship the finished trucks out. Since the plant was previously a printing facility (paper in, catalogs out), it already had rail spurs, but they likely need refurbishment to handle auto racks (the train cars that carry vehicles), which are heavy and require specific clearances and loading infrastructure.
2. The Factory Retrofit
It's not just the tracks getting work. The factory floor itself is being reinforced.
* Weight Issues: The old floor was built for printing presses, but auto manufacturing (especially stamping equipment and battery assembly) is significantly heavier. They are currently reinforcing the concrete floors to handle the weight of the Slate assembly lines.
3. Why this matters for your truck
Since you have a deposit down, this is good news. It means they aren't building a factory from scratch (which takes years); they are refitting an existing one that already has the "bones" for heavy distribution. Using the CF&E rail line to ship directly to distribution hubs (like potentially Nashville or the West Coast) keeps their logistics costs low, which is how they are aiming for that ~$20k–$25k price point.
Next Step: I can track the latest construction updates for the Warsaw plant if you want to know when they start installing the assembly robots.

 

[Johnny5]

Good job! I'm interested the company and the factory, as much as the fine details about the truck itself. Now more than ever any given vehicle is part of a larger system.

 

[cadblu]

Slate explicitly stated they are not introducing stamping machines into their factory as body panels are molded composites. Also, any required stampings will be outsourced and routed to the assembly floor. But I do get it that the assembly lines will utilize heavy machinery, conveyor systems, floor cranes, etc. and yes, the battery modules are heavy. Just lay down some 5000 psi concrete with rebar and you're good to go! Just wait 28 days for a mostly full cure (it takes YEARS to fully cure) and remember to make coupons for testing. I will bring my crews over after lunch.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

A week or two ago I asked the AI how the Slate Auto Series C capital raise was going. AI said no news since the announcement in summer, but offered to check the SEC filings. I declined. That capital raise is every bit as important as all the construction, because without the capital, that work doesn't get done. The Slate CEO recently said in an interview that the Series C enabled production - a change from her statement six months back that the original $700 million was enough to get there. In her defense, the ground beneath her feet changed a bit in the last 11 months.

Slate was thrown a curve ball when suppliers refused to perform and deliver body and other subassemblies fully assembled. So Slate's capital needs increased. They now have to buy the robots and line space to do that work. Ergo the Series C funding.