Alco Diesel Locomotives

The American Locomotive Company (Alco) was an early industry leader in the diesel electric locomotive field prior to World War II, having produced the first mass-produced diesel boxcabs in the mid-1920s. Alco's lead was to evaporate with the US entry into World War II; the company had the DL-series road diesel design ready, but wartime restrictions would keep production of the type low. The company was forced to concentrate on mainline steam locomotives, while competitor EMD, which had never built steam, was able to get a head start with its FT freight diesels. Alco's highly successful RS switcher line was allowed to proceed, but for a time production was dedicated to assist the Russian war effort rather than domestic sales.

Postwar, Alco's PA and FA passenger and freight diesels competed with EMD's E- and F-unit "covered wagons" but the company was never able to pull into the lead. The RS-series switchers continued to sell, and by the early 1960s the "Cenntury" locomotives had benn introduced to compete with EMD and GE roadswitcher designs. However, the writing was on the wall, and by early 1969 Alco had built its last locomotive. The later Century designs were built for a time by the Montreal Locomotive Works, and even today many Alco locomotives can be seen in daily use.

[Photo: Preserved Alco C415 switcher]