MLW RS-18

The MLW RS-18 was an 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) diesel-electric locomotive built by Montreal Locomotive Works between December 1956 and August 1968. It replaced the RS-10 in MLW's catalogue, and production totalled 351 locomotives, to eight customers.

MLW RS-18
BC Rail No. 629 at Lillooet, British Columbia in 1987
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Montreal Locomotive Works Model RS-18 Build date December 1956 to August 1968 Total produced 351
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Prime mover ALCO 251B RPM range 1000 (max) Engine type Four-stroke V12 diesel Displacement 8,016 cu in (131.36 L) Generator DC generator Traction motors 4 DC traction motors Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm) Transmission Electric Loco brake Air, optional dynamic Train brakes Air
Performance figures Power output 1,800 hp (1,340 kW)
Career Locale Canada

It was the Canadian version of the ALCO RS-11, although MLW did manufacture the RS-11 for Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México.

Canadian National Railway, by far the largest buyer of the RS-18, continued to specify the long hood as the front. By contrast, while all of Canadian Pacific Railway's RS-10s were long-hood-forward, all of their RS-18s were short-hood forward. All of CN and CP's locomotives were delivered with full-height short hoods, as were the first four Pacific Great Eastern Railway, and first Roberval and Saguenay Railway unit. The remaining production was for locomotives with a low short-hood, giving the train crew much better forward vision.