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ALCO C855
UP 60, an ALCO C855 -- location unknown. |
| Power type |
Diesel-electric |
| Builder |
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) |
| Model |
C855 |
| Total production |
3 (two cab-equipped, and one cabless booster - note that stats given in this table pertain to cab unit) |
| Gauge |
4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Length |
86 ft (26.2 m) |
| Total weight |
551,400 pounds |
| Fuel capacity |
6,000 gallons |
| Prime mover |
ALCO 251C (2) |
| Cylinders |
16 (2) |
| Transmission |
AC alternator, DC traction motors |
| Power output |
5,500 hp (4.1 MW) |
| Locale |
North America |
| Delivered |
July, 1964 |
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 ALCO's 251C diesel engines, and rated at 5500 horsepower (4.1 MW), it was ALCO's answer to the EMD DD35/DD35A and the GE U50. Only two cab units and one booster were built, all for Union Pacific Railroad, which had requested double-engined locomotives from EMD and GE in order to replace their aging fleet of gas turbine locomotives. Poor performance led to their early retirement, eventually being scrapped by February of 1972.
| Diesel-electric locomotives built by ALCO |
| Switchers: |
HH series, S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6, T-6, SSB-9 |
| RS series: |
RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-11, RS-27, RS-32, RS-36 |
| RSC series: |
RSC-2, RSC-3 |
| RSD series: |
RSD-1, RSD-4, RSD-5, RSD-7, RSD-12, RSD-15 |
| Cab units: |
Black Maria, DL-103b, DL-105, DL-107, DL-109, DL-110, FA, FB, PA, PB |
| Century series: |
C415, C420, C424, C425, C430, C628, C630, C636, C855 |
| Diesel-hydraulics: |
DH643 |
