| ALCO RSC-2 | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | ALCO |
| Model | E-1661A, E-1661B, E-1661C |
| Total produced | 86 |
| AAR wheel arr. | 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) |
| Locomotive 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 |
| Top speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| 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.
| Railroad | Quantity | Road Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALCO (Demonstrator) |
|
1190 | to Union Pacific 1190 renumbered 1290 |
| Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses |
|
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 |
|
975–996 | renumbered to 580-597, 490-493 series, not in order |
| Office des Chemins de Fer Algériens |
|
|
|
| Seaboard Air Line Railroad |
|
1500–1531 | |
| Soo Line Railroad |
|
368–371 | |
| Union Pacific Railroad |
|
1180–1189 | renumbered 1280-1289 |
|
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