ALCO boxcab

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The ALCO boxcabs were diesel-electric switcher locomotives, otherwise known as AGEIR boxcabs as a contraction of the names of the builders. Produced by a partnership of three companies, ALCO built the chassis and running gear, General Electric the generator, motors and controls, and Ingersoll Rand the diesel engine. The principle of operation was the same as modern locomotives, the diesel engine driving a main generator of 600 volts DC with four traction motors, one per axle.

Two models were the 60-Ton with a six-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine of 300 hp and the 100-Ton with two of the same engines. Twenty-six units were produced between 1925 and 1930. These were the first commercially successful production diesel-electric locomotives.

ALCO dropped out of the arrangement in 1928, acquired their own diesel engine and went on to build the HH series also using GE electrical components.