ALCO RSC-2

The ALCO RSC-2 was a diesel-electric locomotive of the road switcher type that rode on three-axle trucks, having an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.

ALCO RSC-2
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderALCO
ModelE-1661A, E-1661B, E-1661C
Build dateOctober 1946 (1946-10) – May 1950 (1950-05)
Total produced91
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARA1A-A1A
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
1,668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in) (CP)
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
Length53 ft 1 in (16.18 m)
Width10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
Loco weight242,500 lb (110,000 kg)
Fuel capacity800 US gal (670 imp gal; 3,000 L)
Prime moverALCO 244
Engine typeV12 Four-stroke diesel
GeneratorDC generator
Traction motors4 of DC traction motors
Cylinders12
TransmissionElectric
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output1,500 hp (1,100 kW)
later models 1,600 hp (1,200 kW)
Tractive effort40,425 lbf (179,820 N)

91 locomotives were produced — Used in much the same manner as its four-axle counterpart, the ALCO RS-2, though the wheel arrangement lowered the axle load for operation on light rail such as are found on branch lines.

The Milwaukee Road was the first railroad to take delivery of the RSC-2, initially assigning them to their Valley Division (headquartered near Wausau, Wisconsin) in November 1946. This was done in order to study the effects of an all-diesel roster (i.e. no steam locomotives available as protection power). The experiment was deemed a success and soon all steam locomotives were gone from the Valley Division. RSC-2s would faithfully serve the Milwaukee Road for many years, until being replaced in turn by the EMD SDL39.

ALCO also exported these units to the state railway of Portugal, where Portuguese Railways (CP) designated them Série 1500. These locomotives were built for the Iberian track gauge of (1,668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in)). The last units in Portugal served in regular passenger service into the first decade of the 21st century. Of these, five are still running today, 70 years after their arrival (one is a museum locomotive, while the other four are owned by track maintenance companies). Five units were exported to the Algerian National Railways where they were used in passenger train service.

Original Buyers
RailroadQuantityRoad NumbersNotes
Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses (CP)
12
1501-1512Designated Série 1500 by CP. Uprated from 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) to 2,000 horsepower (1,500 kW) in 1976. Top speed was then 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph), the track gauge 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in) . Four still in service.
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
22
975–996renumbered to 580-597, 490-493 series, not in order
Office des Chemins de Fer Algériens
5
040DD1–040DD5
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
37
1500-15361532-1536 rated at 1,600 hp (1,200 kW)
Soo Line Railroad
4
368–371
Union Pacific Railroad
11
1180–11901190 was originally ALCO demonstrator 1190, all units later renumbered 1280-1290
Total91

References
  • Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years. Waukesha, WI (USA): Kalmbach Publishing Co. ISBN 0-89024-258-5.
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