The ALCo diesel locomotive thread

[Anonymous]

I havea Question.. and its a good one

why is everyone answeing questions using the single word "because"...?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Andy Inserra is currently a college student who has wasted much of his youth creating and maintaining his website: http://www.tamr.org/Andy_Inserra/

It would appear that India and Australia are Alco heaven. The locomotives may be smaller than what Americans are used to, but 251 engines, side-mounted radiators with shutters, and tri-mount trucks are good enough for me.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Andy Inserra is currently a college student who has wasted much of his youth creating and maintaining his website: http://www.tamr.org/Andy_Inserra/

It would appear that India and Australia are Alco heaven. The locomotives may be smaller than what Americans are used to, but 251 engines, side-mounted radiators with shutters, and tri-mount trucks are good enough for me.

[Anonymous]

Who's Andy, Andy Inserra?

[Anonymous]

Who's Andy, Andy Inserra?

[M636C]

Railpac,

Under your list of engines, you could add model 270, which was a British engine, otherwise called the English Electric or Ruston RK270. It was never used under the Alco name in a locomotive, but a brochure was issued for it. That happened while Alco was part of Britsh group GEC (not to be confused with US GE, that also owned Alco at one time. The engine was used (as a Ruston) in a few British locomotives.

Also, your list of engine usage neglected the cab units, a bad thing to do when talking about Alco. The DL 103/105/107/109/110 all used two 538 or 539, and nearly everyone knows that PA/PBs used 244, as did the early FAs.

On our National Day (Australia=26 January), I chased an empty return of a country music special train, with 11 stainless steel sleeping cars, diners and lounges, in perfect weather through our local mountains with a beautifully restored DL500C, number 4490 leading a less nice DL500G. The sound of two Alcos on a really first class train on 1.5% grades. If I were still using film, I'd have run out!

By the way, I heard a rumour that some Alco locomotives might be brought in from India, possibly standard gauge YDM-4s to provide power for light weight grain lines still in use. But I'll confirm that when I've checked my photos.

Peter

[M636C]

Railpac,

Under your list of engines, you could add model 270, which was a British engine, otherwise called the English Electric or Ruston RK270. It was never used under the Alco name in a locomotive, but a brochure was issued for it. That happened while Alco was part of Britsh group GEC (not to be confused with US GE, that also owned Alco at one time. The engine was used (as a Ruston) in a few British locomotives.

Also, your list of engine usage neglected the cab units, a bad thing to do when talking about Alco. The DL 103/105/107/109/110 all used two 538 or 539, and nearly everyone knows that PA/PBs used 244, as did the early FAs.

On our National Day (Australia=26 January), I chased an empty return of a country music special train, with 11 stainless steel sleeping cars, diners and lounges, in perfect weather through our local mountains with a beautifully restored DL500C, number 4490 leading a less nice DL500G. The sound of two Alcos on a really first class train on 1.5% grades. If I were still using film, I'd have run out!

By the way, I heard a rumour that some Alco locomotives might be brought in from India, possibly standard gauge YDM-4s to provide power for light weight grain lines still in use. But I'll confirm that when I've checked my photos.

Peter

[espeefoamer]

My first train ride was behind PAs on the San Joaquin Daylight. I know this because my grandfather took movies from the dome car.I was 9 years old .
I also rode behind an RS1 on Washington Terminal RR. during a switching move.I rode the Western Maryland Scenic Behind An FPA4 and an RS3.
My last time behind an Alco was the express from Toronto to Montreal with an MLW LRC loco.
Alcos rock!!![:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p]

[espeefoamer]

My first train ride was behind PAs on the San Joaquin Daylight. I know this because my grandfather took movies from the dome car.I was 9 years old .
I also rode behind an RS1 on Washington Terminal RR. during a switching move.I rode the Western Maryland Scenic Behind An FPA4 and an RS3.
My last time behind an Alco was the express from Toronto to Montreal with an MLW LRC loco.
Alcos rock!!![:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p]

[Anonymous]

I would check out http://alcoworld.railfan.net/

PS: I am more of a technical guy [:)]

[Anonymous]

I would check out http://alcoworld.railfan.net/

PS: I am more of a technical guy [:)]

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Without being sarcastic, a list of all operable six-axle Alcos could get pretty long if you include the exports and licensee production. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, India is still building 251-powered locomotives, and they are mostly six-axle designs. The WDM-2 (broad gauge) and YDM-4 (meter gauge) are probably the most common power on Indian Railways and they number in the thousands between them.

Argentina has some World Locomotives and RSD16's in operation and they are all six-axle designs. Some DL535's are also operating.

For status in Australia, check this site: http://locopage.railpage.org.au/

Greece also has six-motor Alcos in operation.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Without being sarcastic, a list of all operable six-axle Alcos could get pretty long if you include the exports and licensee production. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, India is still building 251-powered locomotives, and they are mostly six-axle designs. The WDM-2 (broad gauge) and YDM-4 (meter gauge) are probably the most common power on Indian Railways and they number in the thousands between them.

Argentina has some World Locomotives and RSD16's in operation and they are all six-axle designs. Some DL535's are also operating.

For status in Australia, check this site: http://locopage.railpage.org.au/

Greece also has six-motor Alcos in operation.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

Could I have a summary of all of the operable six axle ALCOs from the RSD-1 to the RSD-17

dougal, Hello [:)]

Email Andy @

[e-mail]

He would have a pretty good idea of what you want.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

Could I have a summary of all of the operable six axle ALCOs from the RSD-1 to the RSD-17

dougal, Hello [:)]

Email Andy @

[e-mail]

He would have a pretty good idea of what you want.

[Anonymous]

Could I have a summary of all of the operable six axle ALCOs from the RSD-1 to the RSD-17

[Anonymous]

Could I have a summary of all of the operable six axle ALCOs from the RSD-1 to the RSD-17

[Anonymous]

Oh and one more, why does GVT collect so damn many Alcos?

LC

[Anonymous]

Oh and one more, why does GVT collect so damn many Alcos?

LC

[Anonymous]

Here's a new question. Why were the big Alco century six axles such rough riders. For exmaple the C628s. The Monon sent theirs back and even Alco stalwart the Lehigh Valley acknowledged the tendency of these units as rough riders...

LC

[Anonymous]

Here's a new question. Why were the big Alco century six axles such rough riders. For exmaple the C628s. The Monon sent theirs back and even Alco stalwart the Lehigh Valley acknowledged the tendency of these units as rough riders...

LC

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

More thoughts at large about Alcos. We are all quite familiar with two varieties of the Alco flatnose, the FA and PA, but how many are aware of the existence of the third variety of the flatnose, the DL500C, also known as the World Locomotive? It has a resemblance to an FA with a shorter nose, C-C trucks, and a second cab in the flat end.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

More thoughts at large about Alcos. We are all quite familiar with two varieties of the Alco flatnose, the FA and PA, but how many are aware of the existence of the third variety of the flatnose, the DL500C, also known as the World Locomotive? It has a resemblance to an FA with a shorter nose, C-C trucks, and a second cab in the flat end.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

OK John, et al, this is one that might not be found in any book, therefore, others reading this thread may have to help you answer this question.

What was the single most common horn used on Alco locomotives? I do not have the answer. Maybe LC can give us some help. I am not sure if we can even get the correct answer and if we do how will we know it is correct? The "Horn" thread made me think about this.

Jim-

I think you have me mistaken for someone else. I have no idea. As to horns I seldom deal with them unless they are broken and then I just try to get them so they'll blow. Hmmm....that reminds me....

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

OK John, et al, this is one that might not be found in any book, therefore, others reading this thread may have to help you answer this question.

What was the single most common horn used on Alco locomotives? I do not have the answer. Maybe LC can give us some help. I am not sure if we can even get the correct answer and if we do how will we know it is correct? The "Horn" thread made me think about this.

Jim-

I think you have me mistaken for someone else. I have no idea. As to horns I seldom deal with them unless they are broken and then I just try to get them so they'll blow. Hmmm....that reminds me....

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

OK John, et al, this is one that might not be found in any book, therefore, others reading this thread may have to help you answer this question.

What was the single most common horn used on Alco locomotives? I do not have the answer. Maybe LC can give us some help. I am not sure if we can even get the correct answer and if we do how will we know it is correct? The "Horn" thread made me think about this.

True,
that probably cannot be found in any book. [;)] Mostly because of the fact that different RRs prefered different horns, and adding to that horns generally differed from locomotive model to locomotive model even on the same RR. I'm gonna take a stab at it; since ALCo. sold more earlier locomotive models (pre-Century) and largest sellers were the S-2 and RS-3, I'm going to guess that the most common horn (as delivered) was a single note factory standard. But, thats just a guess. If I am right, even so, most RRs probably changed the horns on those locos some time in their career. [:)][:D][8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

OK John, et al, this is one that might not be found in any book, therefore, others reading this thread may have to help you answer this question.

What was the single most common horn used on Alco locomotives? I do not have the answer. Maybe LC can give us some help. I am not sure if we can even get the correct answer and if we do how will we know it is correct? The "Horn" thread made me think about this.

True,
that probably cannot be found in any book. [;)] Mostly because of the fact that different RRs prefered different horns, and adding to that horns generally differed from locomotive model to locomotive model even on the same RR. I'm gonna take a stab at it; since ALCo. sold more earlier locomotive models (pre-Century) and largest sellers were the S-2 and RS-3, I'm going to guess that the most common horn (as delivered) was a single note factory standard. But, thats just a guess. If I am right, even so, most RRs probably changed the horns on those locos some time in their career. [:)][:D][8D]

[Anonymous]

OK John, et al, this is one that might not be found in any book, therefore, others reading this thread may have to help you answer this question.

What was the single most common horn used on Alco locomotives? I do not have the answer. Maybe LC can give us some help. I am not sure if we can even get the correct answer and if we do how will we know it is correct? The "Horn" thread made me think about this.

[Anonymous]

OK John, et al, this is one that might not be found in any book, therefore, others reading this thread may have to help you answer this question.

What was the single most common horn used on Alco locomotives? I do not have the answer. Maybe LC can give us some help. I am not sure if we can even get the correct answer and if we do how will we know it is correct? The "Horn" thread made me think about this.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: [i]I said this:
According to a roster originally published in Railroad Magazine, and published in Wayner's book compiling these rosters, the GM&O owned no RS-3s.

But according to the roster on this webpage, http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gmo/gmo-diesel.html, the GM&O had two RS-3s.