ALCO RSC-2

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• AAR	A1A-A1A
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge; 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) (CP)
Wheel diameter	40 in (1,016 mm)
Length	53 ft 1 in (16.18 m)
Width	10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height	14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
Loco weight	242,500 lb (110,000 kg)
Fuel capacity	800 US gal (670 imp gal; 3,000 L)
Prime mover	Alco 244
Engine type	V12 Four-stroke diesel
Generator	DC generator
Traction motors	4 of DC traction motors
Cylinders	12
Transmission	Electric

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	ALCO
Model	E-1661A, E-1661B, E-1661C
Build date	October 1946 – May 1950
Total produced	91

ALCO RSC-2
ALCO RSC-2
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	ALCO
Model	E-1661A, E-1661B, E-1661C
Build date	October 1946 – May 1950
Total produced	91
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• AAR	A1A-A1A
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge; 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) (CP)
Wheel diameter	40 in (1,016 mm)
Length	53 ft 1 in (16.18 m)
Width	10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height	14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
Loco weight	242,500 lb (110,000 kg)
Fuel capacity	800 US gal (670 imp gal; 3,000 L)
Prime mover	Alco 244
Engine type	V12 Four-stroke diesel
Generator	DC generator
Traction motors	4 of DC traction motors
Cylinders	12
Transmission	Electric
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output	1,500 hp (1,100 kW); later models 1,600 hp (1,200 kW)
Tractive effort	40,425 lbf (179,820 N)

The ALCO RSC-2 was a diesel-electric locomotive that rode on three-axle trucks, having an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.

91 locomotives were produced — 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 a backup). 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, where Portuguese Railways (CP) designated them Série 1500. These locomotives were built for the Iberian track gauge of (1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in)). The last units in Portugal served in regular passenger service into the first decade of the 21st century. Of these, five are still running today, 70 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.