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TheALCO RSD-15 is adiesel-electric locomotive built by theAmerican Locomotive Company (ALCO) ofSchenectady, New York between August 1956 and June 1960, during which time 75 locomotives were produced. The RSD-15 was powered by anALCO 251 16-cylinder four-cycle V-typeprime mover rated at 2,400 horsepower (1.79 MW); it superseded the almost identicalALCO 244-enginedRSD-7, and was catalogued alongside the similar but smaller 1,800 hp (1.34 MW)RSD-12, powered by a 12-cylinder251-model V-type diesel engine.[2]
The locomotive rode on a pair of three-axleTrimounttrucks with all axles powered by General Electric model 752 traction motors. These trucks have an asymmetrical axle spacing because of the positioning of the traction motors. The six-motor design allowed higher tractive effort at lower speeds than an otherwise similar four-motor design.
The RSD-15 could be ordered with either a high or lowshort hood;railfans dubbed the low short hood version"Alligators", due to their unusually long low noses.
A single example of the very similar modelRSD-17 was built by theMontreal Locomotive Works in 1957. After demonstrating on theCanadian Pacific(as #7007), theCanadian National(as #3899), and thePacific Great Eastern(as #624), the locomotive was purchased by the Canadian Pacific(as #8921). Nicknamed "The Empress of Agincourt", by Pete Fairfull, who was its primary operator for many years,(for its common presence around Toronto's Agincourt yard), the locomotive served the railway until 1995, when truck problems forced its retirement.[3]
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | 50 | 800–849 | Low nose |
| Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railroad | 6 | 50–55 | LaterBessemer and Lake Erie Railroad 881-886Cartier acquired the six units (91-96) 6/1972. All 6 units were converted to low hoods. #96 in service as Susquehanna and Maryland RR (SMD) #96 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 6 | 8611–8616 | LaterPenn Central 6811–6816.Conrail rebuilt four of them to MT6s 1125–1128. After the dividing of Conrail, 2 went toCSX as 1017 and 1018, and 2 went toNorfolk Southern as 1114 and 1115. |
| Southern Pacific Railroad | 3 | 250–252 | Low nose |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway | 10 | 850-859[4] | Renumbered 5150 – 5159 in 1965 Low nose |
| Canadian Pacific Railway | 1 | 8921 | RSD-17[3] |
Five RSD-15s survive in preservation; all are ex-Santa Fe units.[6]
The RSD-15 has been produced inN scale by Mehano of Yugoslavia and Broadway Limited of the United States.
The RSD-15 has been produced inHO scale byBroadway Limited Imports and handmade brass. Alco Models (DL600b) high and Low hoods. Also (Overland Models).[9]
The RSD-15 has been produced inO scale by Atlas O in their Trainman line.[10]
The RSD-17 has not been mass-produced in any scale; however, in 2008Broadway Limited Imports did produce a limited run of the high-hood CP 8921 inHO scale.
Media related toALCO RSD-15 locomotives at Wikimedia Commons