The Alco C636

(Please note that the images featured here are that of the M636.)

The Alco C636 was the builder's final and most powerful six-axle, C-C model. While nearly 100 were built, less than 40 were sold to US railroads, as many systems found the model to be troublesome and unreliable, which certainly reflected the American Locomotive Company's (Alco) perception by the late 1960s. During Alco's early years of its Century line the locomotives proved to be fairly reliable with substantial pulling power, particularly the four-axle models. However, it can probably be accurately assumed that by the last few years of the company's operation as a locomotive builder it let much of its quality control measures slip. Unfortunately, Alco had not been a serious contender as a manufacturer since around the time of World War II as it continued to lose market share to GM's Electro-Motive Division and General Electric from the 1950s onward (GE began building its own diesel after 1959). Interestingly, despite few sales of the C636 (and sister M636) you can still find the locomotive in regular service on shortlines Delaware-Lackawanna and Livonia, Avon & Lakeville.

Additionally, the high horsepower, six-axle locomotive market had yet to take off although by the late 1960s railroads were beginning to understand the benefits of the setup. For instance, the industry leader at the time, GM's Electro-Motive Division, sold more than 5,000 examples of its four-axle designs during the '60s including the GP35, GP38, GP40, and their variants. In contrast, similar six-axle versions sold just over 500. However, before the decade ended EMD released the SD40 in 1966. It was cataloged about the same time as Alco's C636 and while the SD40 produced less horsepower the industry was impressed with everything it had to offer and would purchase nearly 1,200 of them before being replaced by the updated SD40-2 in the early 1970s that would sell even more.

In the end, only 83 units of the Alco C636 and M636 (built by the Montreal Locomotive Works) were sold, and of those only 31 were purchased by US railroads (Penn Central, Illinois Central, and Spokane, Portland & Seattle). Alco also built three demonstrators (#636-1, #636-2, #636-3) that were purchased by Québec Cartier Mining. The M636s were purchased by Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, Ferrocaril del Pacfico, and Québec Cartier Mining also picked up a few more. Most of these locomotives were built by MLW after Alco had shuttered its Schenectady, New York plant. The primary difference between the M636 and the C636 was that the former rode on Dofasco trucks while the latter featured high adhesion trucks. British Columbia Railway's M636's also came equipped with wide cabs.

Interestingly, for the early problems the C636 suffered a handful still operate around the country. Shortline Delaware-Lackawanna operates an astounding three C636s and three M636s. Also, shortline Western New York & Pennsylvania operates three M636s and uses a former C636 for parts. For a total production roster of Alco C636s please click here. Also, for technical data on the model please click here. Finally, for more information about the C636 and all Century series designs please refer to the chart below.

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Century Series

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.

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