The ALCo diesel locomotive thread

[Anonymous]

I am starting this thread for the specific purpose of answering questions about ALCo diesel locomotives [:D]. I will probably be able to answer most questions, as I am a true ALCo fan and have a wealth of knowledge about them.[8D] However, if I can't answer your question I'm sure there is some one who can[;)]. So, if you have a question about ALCo diesel locomotives, feel free to post it here! [:D]


Well, I thought I'd bring this thread back from the dead for all the newbies on the forum. Lets have some more fun with this topic guys! [tup]

[Anonymous]

I am starting this thread for the specific purpose of answering questions about ALCo diesel locomotives [:D]. I will probably be able to answer most questions, as I am a true ALCo fan and have a wealth of knowledge about them.[8D] However, if I can't answer your question I'm sure there is some one who can[;)]. So, if you have a question about ALCo diesel locomotives, feel free to post it here! [:D]


Well, I thought I'd bring this thread back from the dead for all the newbies on the forum. Lets have some more fun with this topic guys! [tup]

[Anonymous]

Oh, forgot this thread can also be for just general ALCo dicussion. But please no ALCo bashing, and a warning you can bash ALCo if you want, its a free country, but you will probably get a ton of Email from unhappy forum users [;)]

[Anonymous]

Oh, forgot this thread can also be for just general ALCo dicussion. But please no ALCo bashing, and a warning you can bash ALCo if you want, its a free country, but you will probably get a ton of Email from unhappy forum users [;)]

[Anonymous]

What was the location of the shop maintaining CP Rail's MLW fleet in 1995?


LC

[Anonymous]

What was the location of the shop maintaining CP Rail's MLW fleet in 1995?


LC

[Anonymous]

What was the date that ALCO manufactured it's last diesel locomotive in the U.S. and what locomotive was it?

LC

[Anonymous]

What was the date that ALCO manufactured it's last diesel locomotive in the U.S. and what locomotive was it?

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railpac

I am starting this thread for the specific purpose of answering questions about ALCo diesel locomotives [:D]. I will probably be able to answer most questions, as I am a true ALCo fan and have a wealth of knowledge about them.[8D] However, if I can't answer your question I'm sure there is some one who can[;)]. So, if you have a question about ALCo diesel locomotives, feel free to post it here! [:D]

Why do you like ALCO's so much?

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railpac

I am starting this thread for the specific purpose of answering questions about ALCo diesel locomotives [:D]. I will probably be able to answer most questions, as I am a true ALCo fan and have a wealth of knowledge about them.[8D] However, if I can't answer your question I'm sure there is some one who can[;)]. So, if you have a question about ALCo diesel locomotives, feel free to post it here! [:D]

Why do you like ALCO's so much?

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

What was the location of the shop maintaining CP Rail's MLW fleet in 1995?


LC

Like I said, I know a lot about ALCo. MLW, & Bombardier, however, I don't know a lot about Canadian RRs lol. Although I can tell you that the last locomotive to leave the ALCo plant was a T-6 finished in late december 1969. In fact this diesel is still in use by a Con-Agra grain elevator, they are aware of the units historical signifigance, and the locomotive is well taken care of. [;)] I don't really know why I like ALCo's so much, I guess theres just an appeal to them, like a C-630 with Hi-AD trucks, now thas a cool looking locomotive [:D] This is fun keep em comin guys! [8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

What was the location of the shop maintaining CP Rail's MLW fleet in 1995?


LC

Like I said, I know a lot about ALCo. MLW, & Bombardier, however, I don't know a lot about Canadian RRs lol. Although I can tell you that the last locomotive to leave the ALCo plant was a T-6 finished in late december 1969. In fact this diesel is still in use by a Con-Agra grain elevator, they are aware of the units historical signifigance, and the locomotive is well taken care of. [;)] I don't really know why I like ALCo's so much, I guess theres just an appeal to them, like a C-630 with Hi-AD trucks, now thas a cool looking locomotive [:D] This is fun keep em comin guys! [8D]

[Anonymous]

railpac, Did Alco design it's own engines?? I heard they had some very good engines and some NOT so very good engines. Were they two cycle or four?? I hear some old timers say the Alco engines were very efficent also. The engines that were used in there switchers, were they the same as to what went into there road units??
TIM A

[Anonymous]

railpac, Did Alco design it's own engines?? I heard they had some very good engines and some NOT so very good engines. Were they two cycle or four?? I hear some old timers say the Alco engines were very efficent also. The engines that were used in there switchers, were they the same as to what went into there road units??
TIM A

[Anonymous]

Yes, ALCo did design all of its own locomotives. The engines ALCo used were the 330, 531, 538, 539, 244, & 251.
330) an early engine used on a handfull of early switchers: max. HP 300
531) used on the HH600 and HH900 models, 2 versions 531: max. HP 600, 531T: max. HP 900
538) the 531 was modified in 1938 to produce higher horsepower, thus becoming the the 538, used on the HH660 and HH1000, max. HP 538: 660 538T: 1000
539) the 538 was modified in 1939 allowing it to be depressed in the frame of a locomotive, same specs as the 538 used in the S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, and RS-1 plus the S-7 and S-10 built by MLW
244) introduced in 1944 max HP: 2400 in a 16 cylinder configuration, not a very sucessful engine, it had a few flaws, and it was costing ALCo a fortune providing warentee work on the engines, so ALCo devoloped the 251.
251) (introduced in 1951) combining the best aspects of the abandoned 241 and flawed 244 designs the 251 was one of ALCos most sucessful engines, max. HP: 4000 in an 18 cylinder configuration.

All of ALCos engines were four cycle engines. I'm not quite sure how efficent ALCos engines were.

330, 531, 538) switchers only
539) swichers and one road switcher model (the RS-1)
244) road switchers only
251) road switchers and switchers

hope that helps

[Anonymous]

Yes, ALCo did design all of its own locomotives. The engines ALCo used were the 330, 531, 538, 539, 244, & 251.
330) an early engine used on a handfull of early switchers: max. HP 300
531) used on the HH600 and HH900 models, 2 versions 531: max. HP 600, 531T: max. HP 900
538) the 531 was modified in 1938 to produce higher horsepower, thus becoming the the 538, used on the HH660 and HH1000, max. HP 538: 660 538T: 1000
539) the 538 was modified in 1939 allowing it to be depressed in the frame of a locomotive, same specs as the 538 used in the S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, and RS-1 plus the S-7 and S-10 built by MLW
244) introduced in 1944 max HP: 2400 in a 16 cylinder configuration, not a very sucessful engine, it had a few flaws, and it was costing ALCo a fortune providing warentee work on the engines, so ALCo devoloped the 251.
251) (introduced in 1951) combining the best aspects of the abandoned 241 and flawed 244 designs the 251 was one of ALCos most sucessful engines, max. HP: 4000 in an 18 cylinder configuration.

All of ALCos engines were four cycle engines. I'm not quite sure how efficent ALCos engines were.

330, 531, 538) switchers only
539) swichers and one road switcher model (the RS-1)
244) road switchers only
251) road switchers and switchers

hope that helps

[Anonymous]

Someone told me Alco made the engines for river barges also, is this true??
TIM A

[Anonymous]

Someone told me Alco made the engines for river barges also, is this true??
TIM A

[Anonymous]

Yes they did, in fact Fairbanks Morse (yes maker of the Trainmaster and current owner of the ALCo 251 engine design) still produces ALCo 251 engines for stationary and marine applications. In fact many Navy vessels and river tugs are powered with the 251. Many hospitals and power plants use a 251 engine as stand by power, see more about that here: http://www.railroad.net/forums/messages.asp?TopicID=15780 . To learn more about current ALCo 251 production go here: http://www.fairbanksmorse.com/engines/commercial/alco/alco.htm
The ALCo name lives on!!! [:D][;)]

[Anonymous]

Yes they did, in fact Fairbanks Morse (yes maker of the Trainmaster and current owner of the ALCo 251 engine design) still produces ALCo 251 engines for stationary and marine applications. In fact many Navy vessels and river tugs are powered with the 251. Many hospitals and power plants use a 251 engine as stand by power, see more about that here: http://www.railroad.net/forums/messages.asp?TopicID=15780 . To learn more about current ALCo 251 production go here: http://www.fairbanksmorse.com/engines/commercial/alco/alco.htm
The ALCo name lives on!!! [:D][;)]

[Anonymous]

Just for the record, the CPR shop was St. Luc in Montreal.

What is the difference between an RS-11 and an RS-18?

LC

[Anonymous]

Just for the record, the CPR shop was St. Luc in Montreal.

What is the difference between an RS-11 and an RS-18?

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Just for the record, the CPR shop was St. Luc in Montreal.

What is the difference between an RS-11 and an RS-18?

LC

Actually, there isn't much difference between a RS-11 and a RS-18, the only real difference between the 2 in the styling of the locomotive, the RS-11 of course had the notched carbody ends, where the RS-18 has projecting number boards and the sand filler hatch is on the roof. MLW found that these two locos were so similar that the original designation of the RS-18 was the RS-11M. Both used a 12-251 rated at 1800hp and used the same electrical systems as well. Oh and LC, is this supposed to be a test [;)]?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Just for the record, the CPR shop was St. Luc in Montreal.

What is the difference between an RS-11 and an RS-18?

LC

Actually, there isn't much difference between a RS-11 and a RS-18, the only real difference between the 2 in the styling of the locomotive, the RS-11 of course had the notched carbody ends, where the RS-18 has projecting number boards and the sand filler hatch is on the roof. MLW found that these two locos were so similar that the original designation of the RS-18 was the RS-11M. Both used a 12-251 rated at 1800hp and used the same electrical systems as well. Oh and LC, is this supposed to be a test [;)]?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railpac

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Just for the record, the CPR shop was St. Luc in Montreal.

What is the difference between an RS-11 and an RS-18?

LC

Actually, there isn't much difference between a RS-11 and a RS-18, the only real difference between the 2 in the styling of the locomotive, the RS-11 of course had the notched carbody ends, where the RS-18 has projecting number boards and the sand filler hatch is on the roof. MLW found that these two locos were so similar that the original designation of the RS-18 was the RS-11M. Both used a 12-251 rated at 1800hp and used the same electrical systems as well. Oh and LC, is this supposed to be a test [;)]?

Not really, except perhaps the bit about St. Luc. Of course, there is a distinction between the RS-18 and the RS-18u as remanufactured by CPR. The wiring diagrams, brake system (26) and other components are different...

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railpac

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Just for the record, the CPR shop was St. Luc in Montreal.

What is the difference between an RS-11 and an RS-18?

LC

Actually, there isn't much difference between a RS-11 and a RS-18, the only real difference between the 2 in the styling of the locomotive, the RS-11 of course had the notched carbody ends, where the RS-18 has projecting number boards and the sand filler hatch is on the roof. MLW found that these two locos were so similar that the original designation of the RS-18 was the RS-11M. Both used a 12-251 rated at 1800hp and used the same electrical systems as well. Oh and LC, is this supposed to be a test [;)]?

Not really, except perhaps the bit about St. Luc. Of course, there is a distinction between the RS-18 and the RS-18u as remanufactured by CPR. The wiring diagrams, brake system (26) and other components are different...

LC

[Anonymous]

True the RS-18u's as rebuilt by CPR had the type E excitation instead of the static excitation the RS-18s were originally built with.

[Anonymous]

True the RS-18u's as rebuilt by CPR had the type E excitation instead of the static excitation the RS-18s were originally built with.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: LC asks:
Why do you like ALCO's so much?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think the appeal of ALCo diesels is that the bodies tend to be curvy, as opposed to EMD's more angular designs. This is even true of ALCo's second generation power.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: LC asks:
Why do you like ALCO's so much?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think the appeal of ALCo diesels is that the bodies tend to be curvy, as opposed to EMD's more angular designs. This is even true of ALCo's second generation power.