Information of Alco HH600

[trnj]

Does anyone have any information on Alco's HH600 switchers in regard to their performance, reliability, and how long they were in service?  I am particularly interested in CNJ's units, 1020-1023. Thanks in advance for any info.

John C.

Mebane, NC

[jrbernier]

The HH600/HH660 were an early Alco switcher design.  It used the M&S 531 power plant.  It was built between 1932 & 1939.  The follow-on HH660 used the improved 538 power plant, was built starting in 1938 and lasted until 1939.   CNJ purchased their HH600's in 1938. 

  They were replaced with the Alco S-1 model switcher in 1940.  This new model set a new standard for Alco designs in the future.    It used the 539 series power plant that would be used in several Alco products(DL109/RS-1/S-3/etc...).

  The 'HH' line of switchers were Alco's first 'standard' line of switch engines and evolved as production continued.  I have no 'in service' information, but they did not last long on other roads as they were very early diesel-electric technology and were not upgrade friendly.  The later S-1/2/3/4 line of Alco switchers were much more come and had long production runs.

Jim

[Kootenay Central]

Thank You.

[SSW9389]

Kootenay Central: Thanks for posting the Alco Diesel Switcher Catalogue. I'm thinking it dates from about 1937 because it shows the 900 horsepower switcher, but doesn't go in to as much detail about it as it does the lower horsepower diesels.

Ed in Kentucky

 

[DMUinCT]

The New Haven was an ALCO user.

The American Locomotive Company Number 600 demonstrator arrived on New Haven Railroad property on Aug. 3, 1931.  They liked it so much the bought the demonstrator on Dec.24th 1931 (renumbered NH900).  With the "Great Depression" in play, it was 1936 before they next bought five 600 hp and five 660 hp swithchers from GE.   In 1938 they returned to ALCO for ten of the HH600 and in 1939 ten HH660 (numbered NH911 to NH930).

You may find a lot more information on the HH600 by checking the "New York New Haven & Hartford Railroad".

[samfp1943]

JOHN C.:

        Here are some linked sites you may find interesting:

Wikipedia: ALCO HH Series:

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=nEW+hAVEN+rr+aLCO+hh+SWITCH+ENGINE&btnG=Google+Search

New Haven Yard Switchers to 1959: (illustrated with some scale models, but text has lots of info: http://newhavenrailroad1959.webs.com/yardswitchers.htm

The following link is a Forum site, that has some additional links to phots of preserved ALCO HH units:

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=53141

The following link is to a website that is very eclectic and has lots of varied info on many subjects. The link is specifically to some info on ALCO HH's of NYNH&HRR.

http://www.oil-electric.com/2009/02/alcos-high-hoods.html

The last site is as much a blog site ( for rail related stuff, and has lots of interesting information as well. [The site owner is Robert from Port Townsend, and he posts here from time to time as oil-electric]   I've taken to visiting it more and  more...

[daveklepper]

I note that the Alco brochure did not devote much space to the generator or traction motors, which were GE.   (Or was Westinghous an option?)

[SSW9389]

Dave: According to Richard Steinbrenner's book ALCO A Centennial Remembrance the use of Westinghouse electrical equipment was an option. Steinbrenner writes that  an HH600 built in 1934 was the first to use Westinghouse electrical transmission. The unit was sold to Belt Railway of Chicago as their #300.

Also of note there is no mention in the catalog of a turbocharger for the 900 horsepower model. The first HH900 was delivered to the Philadelphia, Bethlehem, and New England in March 1937. Author Steinbrenner mentions turbocharger failures were experienced in the field by the Fall of 1937 which led to modifications.  

Ed in Kentucky

 

[mmathu]

From the book "Alco's HH series: American Locomotive Company's pioneering diesel switcher," Withers Publishing, 2006:

CNJ 1020 sold for scrap to Luria Bros. 3/69; CNJ 1021 to Houdaville Construction Materials Co. Bound Brook N.J., 1021; gone by 6/72 and presumed scrapped.  CNJ 1022 and 1023 sold for scrap to Schiavone, 12/66.

[Mr. Railman]

They almost look identical to Fairbanks Morse switchers

[carnej1]

DMUinCT

The New Haven was an ALCO user.

The American Locomotive Company Number 600 demonstrator arrived on New Haven Railroad property on Aug. 3, 1931.  They liked it so much the bought the demonstrator on Dec.24th 1931 (renumbered NH900).  With the "Great Depression" in play, it was 1936 before they next bought five 600 hp and five 660 hp swithchers from GE.   In 1938 they returned to ALCO for ten of the HH600 and in 1939 ten HH660 (numbered NH911 to NH930).

You may find a lot more information on the HH600 by checking the "New York New Haven & Hartford Railroad".

There is an excellent article in a recent edition of the NY,NH & H Historical societie's magazine "The Shoreliner" about the Alco high hoods..it goes into detail about why Alco won the orders over competitor EMD..worth checking out..