| ALCO C855 |
 |
| UP 61, an ALCO C855 |
| Power type |
Diesel-electric |
| Builder |
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) |
| Serial number |
84730–84731 (A units), 84732 (B unit) |
| Model |
DL855, DL856 |
| Total produced |
3 (two A units, one B unit) Note: the stats given in this table pertain to cab unit) |
| Gauge |
4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Length |
86 ft (26.2 m) |
| Locomotive weight |
551,400 pounds (250,111 kg) |
| Fuel capacity |
6,000 US gal (5,000 imp gal; 23,000 L) |
| Prime mover |
Dual Alco 251C |
| Alternator |
AC alternator |
| Traction motors |
DC traction motors |
| Cylinders |
Dual V16 |
| Transmission |
Electric |
| Power output |
5,500 hp (4,101 kW) |
| Career |
Union Pacific Railroad |
| Number |
60–61, 60B |
| Locale |
North America |
| Delivered |
July, 1964 |
| Disposition |
All scrapped |
The ALCO Century 855 was ALCO's most powerful diesel-electric locomotive and, at the time, the most powerful diesel locomotive ever built. Powered by a pair of 16 cylinder ALCO 251C diesel engines, and rated at 5,500 hp (4,101 kW), it was ALCO's answer to the EMD DD35 and the GE U50. The C855 rode on four two-axle trucks, grouped in pairs linked by span bolsters, giving a wheel arrangement of B+B-B+B. The trucks and bolsters were similar to those under UP's earlier turbine locomotives. Only two A units and one B unit were built, all for Union Pacific Railroad, which had also requested double-engined locomotives from EMD and GE in order to replace the turbines, which had become uneconomical to operate. They spent their lives in the general freight pool at North Platte, however poor performance led to their early retirement and eventual scrapping by February 1972.
UP 60B, the only C855B built.
See also [edit]
