ALCO Century 855

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ALCO C855
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 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 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.