ALCO

[Anonymous]

In 1955 I was 19 years old and worked as a fireman on the Santa Fe out of Gallup NM. Like most  other engine crews I believed Alcos were a notable source of trouble. Although I wasn't qualified for passenger because of a lack of steam generator training I was called one day at Belen for a second section of #123 --The Grand Canyon Limited because they couldn't find the regular fireman. We had 2 PAs and about 15 cars--all heavyweight.

I liked the PAs as midway through the trip back to Gallup the steam generators quit and  only  the engineer knew how to fix them.While he was doing that I ran the train---well, it wasnt the Super Chief and I only ran it for 15 minutes or so . My effort consisted of leaving the throttle in Run 8 and blowing the horn at a couple of grade crossings and at a few Indians along the right of way.
 As bad as the Alcos were they gave me an unforgettable experience.

[MikeE44]

I like the RS3's and C636's

[espeefoamer]

The Santa Fe low nose RSD15 alligator units,the only ALCo road units I am really familiar with.Other favorites are the S series turbocharged switchers and the Daylight PAs.

[n012944]

I would have to say a RS3 and a C630.

 

 

Bert

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'll start with all three versions of the flatnose (PA, FA, DL500) and add the DL535, a rather charming 1200 HP C-C road switcher found in India, Mexico, Peru and a host of other places.

[enr2099]

RS3 and the MLW M420W are my favorites.

[Anonymous]

My favorite would have to be the RS-2 in the Chicago Great Westerns post-1963 red

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=108363

[Philcal]

Guess I have to go with the ALCO PA, painted in SP Daylight colors. The former Santa Fe PA's on the Delaware and Hudson looked pretty good too.

[NW_611]

Hmm, where's the "all" option? I voted PA, for what it's worth. Absolutely beautiful car body and so utterly timeless in its styling. Yeee haw.

[AltonFan]

I like all the early ALCos, especially the road switchers. I think they have a workaday elegance that the Geeps just can't match.

[Train 284]

RS3 and the PA for sure!

[wjstix]

C628 HighNose - C&NW. I was lucky to be able to photograph a couple of them in service back in 1986 in the U.P.

[Anonymous]

The PA of course! Most beautiful for me in SP Daylight and Rio Grande yellow/silver with black stripes.

[PBenham]

At the risk of looking redundant, I voted for the PAs, after all I know that the ultimate expression of the PA1 was in Lehigh Valley 601-614.

[trainboyH16-44]

None of the above: C-424 with nose lights, or perhaps one of those widenose M420Ws or M630Ws...
It's also hard to overlook the undisputed king of ALCos: The M640. 4000hp of brute AC force!

[Anonymous]

My favorite would be the C415