ALCO RS-27

ALCO RS-27
Minnesota Commercial Railway 318 at Minneapolis, July 2009
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderALCO
ModelRS-27
Build dateDecember 1959 – October 1962
Total produced27
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
TrucksAAR type B
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve21°
Wheelbase40 ft 4 in (12.29 m)
Length57 ft 2+12 in (17.44 m)
Width9 ft 11+18 in (3.03 m)
Height14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)
Loco weight256,800 lb (116,500 kg)
Fuel capacity2,000 US gal (7,600 L)
Prime moverAlco 251B
RPM range1000
Engine typeFour-stroke diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
Displacement10,688 cu in (175.14 L)
GeneratorGE 5GT-581-B1
Traction motors(4) GE 5GE-752-E3
CylindersV16
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
Performance figures
Power output2,400 hp (1.8 MW)
Tractive effort64,200 lb (29,100 kg)
Career
LocaleU.S.A.

The ALCO RS-27 (specification DL-640) was a diesel-electric locomotive built by ALCO between December 1959 and October 1962.

Only 27 examples were manufactured.[1] With ALCO's introduction of the Century Series line in 1963, the C-424 (specification DL-640A) replaced the RS-27 in the builder's catalog. Today, the Minnesota Commercial Railway has the only two RS-27s left in existence; however both have been placed into storage.[2]

  1. ^ Lustig, David (Winter 2022). "Alco RS27 - a diesel that dadn't". Classic Trains. Vol. 23, no. 4. Kalmbach_Media. pp. 7–9.
  2. ^ Franz, Justin (2023-08-21). "Alco Era Drawing to a Close on Minnesota Commercial". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-23.