ALCO Century 636

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ALCO Century 636

RPRX 78, now NYSW 3660 is on the point of SU-100 at Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, September 2005. (Photo by John Eric Durant)
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	ALCO
Model	Century 636
Build date	1967 – 1968
Total production	34
AAR wheel arr.	C-C
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Power output	3600 hp (2.7 MW)

The ALCO Century 636 was the most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive constructed by ALCO. The locomotive had a C-C wheel arrangement and 3600 horsepower (2.7 MW). The locomotive rested on an all-new truck design, known as the Hi-Ad, standing for 'high adhesion'. Visually, it is almost identical to the Century 630.

[edit] Production

34 C636s were built in 1967 and 1968 for American railroads. 6 went to Illinois Central, 15 to Penn Central, and 10 to Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway. The remaining three were used as demonstrators.

17 C636s and 37 M636 were built for the Australian company Mount Newman Mining, which were introduced in 1968. Also entering service in 1968 were 39 C/M636s for Hamersley Iron. Robe River was the other Pilbara-based company to acquire units of the C/M636 type, with 12 entering service in 1971.

Alco Products' 'HiAd' truck design, all new for the Century 636 model. (Photo by Alco Products, Inc.)

[edit] Current usage

As of 2006, the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad (DL) and the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) own ALCO C636s. The Delaware-Lackawanna C636, number 3642, is formerly Conrail 6792. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway owns 2 ALCO C636s assigned numbers 3660 and 3662. The 3660 is former Quebec Cartier Mining number 78 and had been temporarily numbered RPRX 78. NYSW 3662 is former Quebec Cartier Mining number 77. The 3662 has yet to be renumbered and has been out of service due to freeze damage as of 2005. Both the Delaware-Lackawanna and the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway also own MLW M636s built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in Montreal, Canada.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

• Sarberenyi, Robert. Alco C636 Original Owners.