The ALCO RSC-3 was a diesel-electric locomotive of the road switcher type rated at 1,600 horsepower (1,200 kW), that rode on three-axle trucks, having an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.[1]

ALCO RSC-3
New South Wales Government Railways 4002
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderALCO
MLW
ModelRSC-3
Build dateNovember 1950 – June 1955
Total produced99
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARA1A-A1A
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
and others
Length53 ft 1 in (16.18 m)
Width10 ft (3.05 m)
Height14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
Loco weight254,840 lb (115,590 kg)
Fuel capacity800 US gal (666 imp gal; 3,028 L)
Prime moverAlco 244
Engine typeV12 Four-stroke diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
Displacement8,016 cu in (131.36 L)
GeneratorDC generator
Traction motorsDC traction motors
Cylinders12
Cylinder size9 in × 10+12 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
TransmissionElectric
Loco brakeStraight air
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output1,600 hp (1,190 kW)
Tractive effort42,470 lbf (188.92 kN)
Career
LocaleNorth America, Central America, South America, Portugal, Australia, Pakistan

Used in much the same manner as its four-axle counterpart, the ALCO RS-3, though the axle load was spread out for operation on light rail such as are found on branch lines. This locomotive had much better success as an export unit than in the domestic market.

Original owners

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Locomotives built by Alco

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Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
Algerian Railways 5 DG1–DG5
Ferrocarril Central del Uruguay 3 1601–1603 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) gauge (last one, 1602, withdrawn in 1993)
North Western Railway of Pakistan 26 3301–3326 to Pakistan Railways 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) gauge
Panama Railroad 3 901–903 5 ft (1,524 mm) gauge
São Paulo Railway, Brazil 12 550–561 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) gauge
Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses 5 1521–1525 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in) gauge
Consolidated Railways of Cuba 6 1606-1611
Seaboard Air Line Railroad 7 1537–1543 to Seaboard Coast Line 1111–1117
Soo Line Railroad 4 372–374, 2380 2380 owned by Wisconsin Central Railway
Total 71

Locomotives built by Montreal Locomotive Works

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Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
New South Wales Government Railways 20 4001–4020 NSW 40 class
Pacific Great Eastern Railway 8 561–568 to British Columbia Railway
Total 28

Preserved

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This list is incomplete. Please help expand it.[2]

 
Locomotive ALCO RSC-3 7653, originally manufactured for CPEF, having operated in FEPASA, Ciminas and SPA Engenharia. Currently belongs to IRON and operates in rented Supervia.

Australia

  • 4001 Preserved at the NSWRTM Thirlmere
  • 4002 Preserved at the PRHS Western Australia
  • 4006 On static display Wickham WA

Brazil

Canada

Portugal

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Foster, Gerald L. (1996). A field guide to trains of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 20. ISBN 0-395-70112-0.
  2. ^ Craig, R. "ALCO / MLW Six-Axle Roadswitchers". thedieselshop.us. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
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