American Locomotive Company

American Locomotive Company
Company typePrivate
IndustryRail transport
Energy generation
Predecessor
Founded1901; 123 years ago (1901)
Defunct1969; 55 years ago (1969)[1]
Headquarters
Schenectady, New York
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Products
SubsidiariesMontreal Locomotive Works
Rogers Locomotive Works

The American Locomotive Company (often shortened to ALCO, ALCo or Alco) was an American manufacturer that operated from 1901 to 1969, initially specializing in the production of locomotives but later diversifying and fabricating at various times diesel generators, automobiles, steel, tanks, munitions, oil-production equipment, as well as heat exchangers for nuclear power plants.

The company was formed by the merger of seven locomotive manufacturers and Schenectady Locomotive Engine Manufactory of Schenectady, New York. A subsidiary, American Locomotive Automobile Company, designed and manufactured automobiles under the Alco brand from 1905 to 1913. ALCO also produced nuclear reactors from 1954 to 1962.[2] After World War II, Alco closed all of its manufacturing plants except those in Schenectady and Montreal.

In 1955, the company changed its name to Alco Products, Incorporated. In 1964, the Worthington Corporation acquired the company. The company went out of business in 1969,[1] although Montreal Locomotive Works continued to manufacture locomotives based on Alco designs.

The ALCO name is currently being used by Fairbanks Morse Engine for their FM|ALCO line.

  1. ^ a b "American Locomotive Company Records". Finding Aids. Syracuse, New York: Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  2. ^ "ALCO's 1950s Nuclear Gamble -- ANS / Newswire". www.ans.org. Archived from the original on 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2020-10-26.