Railroad History

Passenger and Commuter Rail

Railroading Today

Rolling Stock

Infrastructure and Terms

Museums and Tourism

Miscellaneous

About The Site

[?] Subscribe To American-Rails.com

The Alco C630

The Alco C630 was the builder's second model in its six-axle series. Capable of producing more horsepower than its predecessor, the C630 sold well but not as well as the C628 with more than 100 purchased between its Schenectady and Montreal plants (the Montreal Locomotive Works took no orders for the C628 design). Overall these six-axle behemoths were as powerful as they appeared, which unfortunately is one reason the American Locomotive Company (Alco) did not sell more of them as the high horsepower market did not take off until the early 1970s. Still, some railroads were beginning to realize the potential C-C setups offered and as such a number of lines that moved heavy tonnage, like coal, purchased at least a few C630s. Of all Alco six-axle Centuries, the C630 has been the best preserved model with three units known to exist; Union Pacific #2907, N&W #1135, and Reading #5308 (the latter of which is still operational).

The Alco C630 began production in 1965 which was a more powerful version of the earlier C628 that had been in the company's catalog since 1963. The new model could produce a respectable 3,000 horsepower using Alco's 251E prime mover. By this point, most of Alco's orders came from loyal customers as it became almost impossible for the manufacturer to either gain or earn back new customers with its troubled early prime movers. Buyers of the C630 included Class I railroads Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Pennsylvania, Reading, Norfolk & Western, Atlantic Coast Line, Louisville & Nashville, and the Chesapeake & Ohio. Additionally, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, and the Pacific Great Eastern purchased examples of the M630 and C630M. By the time production had ended in 1969 133 Alco C630s, C630Ms, and M630s had been built.

The Alco C630, and the Century line in general, offered the most tractive effort of any locomotive in its class, even eclipsing the Electro-Motive Division and General Electric. As such, railroads showed real interest in the designs as many began to understand the value of six-axle setups and the traction they provided. For instance, the C630 could produce 85,850 pounds of starting effort and 79,500 continuous making them ideal for heavy drag service hauling freight such as coal and ore. Through the end Alco continued to use by GE and Westinghouse to supply it with internal components for its locomotives despite the fact that GE was now a competitor.

At first railroads liked the six-axle Centuries very much considering Alco no longer had significant reliability problems that plagued its early designs. However, the longer railroads operated them the more they noticed the significant wear the units produced on the track structure. Weighing more than 200 tons (in comparison GE's U30C weighed just 181.5 tons and EMD's SD35 180 tons both of which were in production at around the same time) the Centuries were extremely heavy beasts and could wreak havoc on right-of-way that was not laid with very heavy rail with a solid support base (ties and ballast).

In any event, while most companies that purchased the C630 operated main lines that could handle the weight they still found the wear on their infrastructure far too excessive. As such, nearly all of the C630s were retired by the 1980s. Interestingly, the M630s and M630Ws purchased by both Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and Pacific Great Eastern (later British Columbia Railway) were well liked and most remained in regular freight service through the early 1990s. For a total production roster of Alco C630s please click here. For technical data on the model please click here. Also, for more information about the C630 and all Century series designs please refer to the chart below.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Diesel Locomotives Section

Century Series

Model Type	Units Built	Date Built	Horsepower
C-415	26	1966-1968	1,500
C-420	131	1963-1968	2,000
C-424	190	1963-1967	2,400
C-425	91	1964-1966	2,500
C-430	16	1966-1968	3,000
C-628	181	1963-1968	2,750
C-630	133	1965-1969	3,000
C-636	83	1967-1968	3,600
C-643H	3 (Built For SP)	1964	4,300
C-855	3 (Built For UP)	1964	5,500

(Please note that the above image is that of an Alco C628 not a C630.)

For a comprehensive look at the American Locomotive Company and all of the motive power types it built from steam, diesel, to electrics consider the book Alco Locomotives by Brian Solomon. Covering more than 175 pages Mr. Solomon's book details the history of Alco from its esteemed 4-6-4 Hudsons and 4-6-6-4 Challengers to vaunted RS and PA series diesel locomotives. If you have any interest in Alco this book is a must have!

Also consider Mike Schafer's Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic Alcos, or diesel locomotives in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

Share Your Thoughts

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Please note that while I strive to present the information as accurately as possible I am aware that there may be errors. If you have potential corrections the help is greatly appreciated.