Alco "RSD5" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Roster, Specs

Last revised: December 16, 2024

The RSD5 was an extension of the RSD4 and cataloged to replace a flaw in the earlier design. After fixing the issue, which had to do with inadequate spacing, the RSD5 sold nearly six times as many units as its predecessor.

The model was meant to compete with the Electro-Motive Division's SD7 design, the six-axle cousin of the GP7. Interestingly, despite railroads' disinterest in C-C locomotives at the time, Alco actually outsold its competitor by a few units.

The RSD5 was, of course, nearly identical to the RSD4 although Alco did bump its horsepower rating just slightly, which actually made it a touch more powerful than the SD7.

Photos

Penn Central RSD5 #6804 is seen here at Buffalo, New York in November, 1975. Warren Calloway collection.

Overview

The RSD5 was rushed into production as a replacement for the earlier RSD4, whose frame was not long enough to support the main generator. As such, at nearly 56 feet, 7 inches the later RSD5 was nearly eight inches longer than its predecessor.

Internally, the model was identical to the RSD4 and both were essentially the same as the four-axle RS3. From a strength standpoint, the RSD5 was slightly better; it offered 1,000 pounds more starting tractive effort (90,000 pounds) and an additional 100 horsepower (1,600 hp). Interestingly, despite the RSD4's issues most railroads that purchased it returned to buy the RSD5.

The RSD5 entered production in 1952 directly after the unsuccessful RSD4 and remained in the company's catalog until 1955. The new model used the same Alco 244 prime mover.

Designation

As with all other "D" designated models, the RSD5 used a C-C truck arrangement with all six axles powered. The six axle models were meant to provide a sizable increase in traction and be used on light branch/secondary lines allowing the locomotive's weight to be distributed more evenly over additional axles.

Santa Fe RSD5 #2140 lays over in Colorado Springs, Colorado circa 1965. American-Rails.com collection.

In an attempt to probably ease railroads fears over the problematic RSD4, Alco even built an RSD5 demonstrator to prove that the model no longer suffered from its previous issues.

Apparently, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa was quite impressed as they purchased more than 50 units of the design after only picking up ten examples of the RSD4. Additionally, lines like the Chesapeake & Ohio and Southern Pacific, both of which had not even purchased the RSD4 bought nearly 90 of RSD5s between them.

Milwaukee Road RSD5 #571 (built as #2151) at Pigs Eye Yard in St. Paul, Minnesota; August, 1965. Fred Byerly photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Alco Class	606-DL-360
Entered Production	3/1952 (Chesapeake & Ohio #5570)
Years Produced	3/1952-3/1956
Model Specification	E1664/A/B
Engine	244, V-12
Horsepower	1,600
RPM	1,000
Carbody Styling	Alco
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	56' 5.75"
Weight	360,000 Lbs.
Dynamic Brakes	Optional
Trucks	C-C
Truck Type	Trimount
Truck Wheelbase	12' 6"
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	GE 752 (6)
Traction Generator	GT566
Steam Generator	-
Gear Ratio	74:18
Tractive Effort Rating	78,750 Lbs. at 5.5 MPH
Top Speed	60 MPH

Production Roster

Alco

Total Built = 167

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Date Built
Alco (Demonstrator)	1606 (became Santa Fe #2157)	80195	8/1952
Santa Fe	2110 - 2119	80196-80205	8/1952 - 10/1952
Santa Fe	2120, 2121	80287, 80288	4/1953
Santa Fe	2122 - 2129	80407-80414	4/1953
Santa Fe	2130 - 2137	80599-80606	6/1953 - 7/1953
Santa Fe	2138, 2139	80770, 80771	8/1953
Santa Fe	2140 - 2151	80587-80598	6/1953
Santa Fe	2152 - 2156	80772-80776	8/1953
Santa Fe	2158 - 2162	80805-80809	10/1953 - 11/1953
Birmingham Southern	160	80855	12/1953
Chesapeake & Ohio	5570 - 5574	79427-79431	3/1952 - 4/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio	5575 - 5579	79702-79706	4/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio	5580 - 5589	79945-79954	5/1952 - 6/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio	5590 - 5595	80189-80194	6/1952 - 7/1952
Central Railroad of New Jersey	1615	80286	4/1953
Chicago & North Western	1665 - 1667	80780-80782	9/1953
Chicago & North Western	1684, 1685	80859, 80860	3/1954
Chicago & North Western	1686 - 1688	80863-80865	4/1954
Chicago & North Western	1689, 1690	80861, 80862	4/1954
Milwaukee Road	2150, 2151	80777, 80778	8/1953
Milwaukee Road	2152	80779	9/1953
Milwaukee Road	2153 - 2155	80802-80804	10/1953
Pennsylvania	8446, 8447	80206, 80207	10/1952
Pennsylvania	8448 - 8451	80208-80211	3/1953
St. Louis-Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt)	270 - 272	80415-80417	4/1953
Southern Pacific	5294, 5295	80212, 80418	3/1953, 4/1953
Southern Pacific	5296 - 5302	80427-80433	5/1953
Southern Pacific	5303	80582	5/1953
Southern Pacific	5304 - 5307	80583-80586	7/1953
Southern Pacific	5336 - 5339	80787-80790	9/1953
Southern Pacific	5445 - 5448	80880-80883	4/1955
Southern Pacific	5494 - 5502	80886-80894	11/1955 - 12/1955
Southern Pacific	5503 - 5507	81765-81769	1/1956
Texas & New Orleans (SP)	155 - 158	80783-80786	9/1953
Texas & New Orleans (SP)	159 - 169	80791-80801	10/1953
Texas & New Orleans (SP)	170	80213	4/1953
Texas & New Orleans (SP)	171 - 176	80419-80424	4/1953 - 5/1953
Texas & New Orleans (SP)	185, 186	80425, 80426	5/1953
Utah Railway	306	81696	11/1955

Export

Total Built = 37

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Date Built
Ferrocarril del Pacifico (Mexico)	801 - 810	80810-80819	11/1953 - 12/1953
Ferrocarril del Pacifico (Mexico)	811 - 813	80856-80858	12/1953
Ferrocarril del Pacifico (Mexico)	814 - 827	80866-80879	8/1953-1/1954
Ferrocarril del Pacifico (Mexico)	828 - 832	81770-81774	1/1956 - 2/1956
Ferrocarril del Pacifico (Mexico)	833 - 835	81880-81882	2/1956
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico)	6900, 6901	80884, 80885	11/1955

Southern Pacific RSD5 #2870 (built as Texas & New Orleans #170) is seen here in Shreveport, Louisiana on March 9, 1969. Tom Hoffmann photo, Rick Burn collection.

Sources

Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.

Kirkland, John F. Diesel Builders, The: Volume Two, American Locomotive Company And Montreal Locomotive Works. Glendale: Interurban Press, 1989.

Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.

Solomon, Brian. Alco Locomotives. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2009.

Santa Fe RSD5 #2122 is between assignments in Barstow, California during the late 1960s. Note the Warbonnet F unit in the background. American-Rails.com collection.

Many of the railroads that purchased the RSD5 employed them in heavy freight service such as the Utah Railway, Milwaukee Road, Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific. The latter three roads particularly loved six axle diesels, practically since they were first manufactured by Alco and EMD.

In any event, for a six-axle model the Alco RSD5 sold relatively well at 204 units for a number of Class I railroads such as the Milwaukee Road, Southern Pacific, Chesapeake & Ohio, and Santa Fe (this also includes the 37 purchased by Mexican lines, Ferrocarril del Pacífico and Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México).

Santa Fe RSD5's #2141 and #2161 at Raton, New Mexico, circa 1965. American-Rails.com collection.

Preservation

Today, at least two of these units have been preserved, former Utah Railway #306 (as Nickel Plate #324) and Chicago & North Western #1689.

After the latter was retired in March, 1981 she went through a number of owners, and even once wore Western Maryland colors leading excursions on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Today, she has been returned to her C&NW colors thanks to the efforts of the Illinois Railway, which has lovingly restored the locomotive.