ALCO RSD-4

The ALCO RSD-4 was a diesel-electric locomotive of the road switcher type rated at 1,600 horsepower (1.2 MW), that rode on three-axle trucks, having a C-C wheel arrangement.

ALCO RSD-4
Kennecott Copper Corporation locomotive 201 on display at Snoqualmie Depot, Snoqualmie, Washington
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderALCO
ModelRSD-4 (Specification E1663)
Build date1951–1952
Total produced36
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
TrucksALCO trimount
Wheel diameter40 in (1,000 mm)
Minimum curve21° (274.37 ft or 83.63 m)
Wheelbase42 ft 3 in (12.88 m)
Length56 ft 6 in (17.22 m)
Width10 ft 1 7⁄8 in (3.096 m)
Height14 ft 5 1⁄4 in (4.401 m)
Loco weight278,860 lb (126,490 kg)
Fuel capacity800 US gal (3,000 L)
Prime moverAlco 244
RPM range1000 (max)
Engine typeV12 Four-stroke engine diesel
AspirationTurbocharger
Displacement8,016 cu in (131.36 L)
GeneratorGE 5GT-581A1
Traction motors(6) GE 5GE752-C1
Cylinders12
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
Performance figures
Power output1,600 hp (1.2 MW)
Tractive effort69,700 lb (31,600 kg)
Kennecott Copper Corporation locomotive 201 on display at Snoqualmie Depot, Snoqualmie, Washington.

Used in much the same manner as its four-axle counterpart, the ALCO RS-3, though the six-motor design allowed better tractive effort at lower speeds. Due to the inadequate capacity of the main generator, this model was later superseded in production by the ALCO RSD-5

Original owners
RailroadQuantityRoad NumbersNotes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
10
2100–2109
Chicago and North Western Railway
5
1515–1517, 1619–1620
Central Railroad of New Jersey
14
1601–1614
Kennecott Copper Corporation
1
201
Preserved
Utah Railway
6
300–305
Total36

Preserved units

The only ALCO RSD-4 that has survived is Kennecott Copper Corporation #201. As of 2007, it resides in fully restored condition at the Northwest Railway Museum (formerly known as the Puget Sound & Snoqualmie Valley Railway) in Snoqualmie, Washington, wearing a coat of bright orange paint.

References
  • Dorin, Patrick C. (1972). Chicago and North Western Power. Burbank, California: Superior Publishing. p. 141. ISBN 0-87564-715-4.
  • Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.


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