ALCO RSC-2

ALCO RSC-2
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder ALCO Model E-1661A, E-1661B, E-1661C Total produced 86
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR A1A-A1A Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 40 in (1.02 m) Length 53 ft 1 in (16.18 m) Width 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) Height 14 ft (4.26720 m) Loco weight 242,500 lb (110.0 t) Fuel capacity 800 US gal (3,000 L; 670 imp gal) Prime mover ALCO 244 Engine type 4-stroke diesel Alternator DC generator Cylinders V12
Performance figures Power output 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) later models 1,600 horsepower (1,200 kW) Tractive effort 40,425 lbf (179,820 N)

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.

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. The last units in Portugal served in regular passenger service well into the 21st century. Of these, five are still running today, 60 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

Railroad	Quantity	Road Numbers	Notes
ALCO (Demonstrator)	1	1190	to Union Pacific 1190 renumbered 1290
Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses	12	1501-1512	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).
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad	22	975–996	renumbered 580-596 series, not in order
Office des Chemins de Fer Algériens	5	040DD1–040DD5
Seaboard Air Line Railroad	32	1500–1531
Soo Line Railroad	4	368–371
Union Pacific Railroad	10	1180–1189	renumbered 1280-1289

References

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