Alco "RS32" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Data Sheet

Last revised: December 27, 2024

The RS32 was one of the final models in the RS series. By the time it was cataloged the company was losing its foothold in the market; few RS32's sold and General Electric had made its debut with the U25B.

In the end, only 35 units sold to the New York Central and Southern Pacific. It is somewhat puzzling Alco decided to release so many models in such a short time span.

This occurred throughout the 1950s and 1960s with variants like the RS-27, RS-36, RSD-15, RS-11, and others. Perhaps the manufacturer was attempting whatever means necessary to regain market share.

Unfortunately, the era of custom builds had ended with steam and off-the-shelf diesels were now the future. In some respects, Alco appeared to understand and recognize these shifting winds but it could simply not let go of its iron horse heritage.

From an operational standpoint the RS32 was a bit less powerful than the previous RS27. It did, however, feature an upgraded prime mover, the 251 used in the later Century series.

The model could almost be classed as a variant with so few units sold and just two railroads ultimately purchasing it. Today, at least two examples of the RS32 remains preserved.

Photos

This classic scene depicts the Southern Pacific's San Jose Roundhouse during February of 1966 where RS32 #7302, C628 #4845, and F7 #6245 layover between assignments. Drew Jacksich photo.

Overview

The RS32 entered production in 1961 and was built through 1962, just a year before Alco began production on their new Century series of road switcher.

Using a B-B truck design (two axles per truck) the model produced 2,000 horsepower using the builder's upgraded 251 prime mover, the 251C.

An interesting feature of the RS32 was that Alco reverted back to an earlier design with the model, as it looked quite similar to the RS11 and RSD12 which both sported a low but elongated short hood.

When Alco released the RS27 that model featured a carbody design very similar to what the Century series would employ, a flush cab and long hood with a very short, low front hood/nose.

Along with being less powerful than the RS27, the RS32 also sported less tractive effort (66,000 pounds starting and 35,000 pounds continuous) although all other dimensions and components from General Electric and Westinghouse, remained the same.

Purpose

The purpose behind the development of the RS32 was quite likely to compete with EMD's GP20, which entered production that same year and offered a similar horsepower rating.

The purpose behind the GP20, and ultimately the RS32 as well, was to give railroads a unit that could offer plenty of power yet was small enough to be used in a wide range of applications, from switching duties to main line freight service.

Of course, by the 1960s railroads were beginning to see the practicality of six-axle units yet still were not fully embracing them.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Alco Class	404-DL-240
Entered Production	6/21/1961 (New York Central #8020)
Years Produced	6/21/1961-6/25//1962
Model Specification	DL721
Engine	251C, V-12
Horsepower	2,000
RPM	1,025
Carbody Styling	Alco
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	57' 2.5"
Weight	240,000 Lbs.
Dynamic Brakes	Optional
Trucks	B-B
Truck Type	Swing Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer (AAR Type-B)
Truck Wheelbase	9' 4"
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	GE 752 (4)
Traction Generator	GT581
Steam Generator	Optional
Gear Ratio	74:18 (65 MPH), 65:18 (75 MPH)
Tractive Effort Rating	35,000 Lbs. at 8 MPH.
Top Speed	75 MPH

Production Roster

Total Built = 35

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Date Built
New York Central	8020-8034	83981-83995	6/1961
Southern Pacific	7300-7309	84025-84034	3/1962 - 4/1962
New York Central	8035-8044	84035-84039, 84183-84187	6/1962

Preservation

Listed above is a complete production roster of the RS32 model, which as already mentioned was purchased by only to the New York Central and Southern Pacific.

Interestingly, in comparison, despite the GP20 being a relatively unsuccessful model for Electro-Motive it still sold many more examples than Alco's competing design by more than seven-fold (260 GP20s to just 35 RS32s).

Today, as mentioned before, you can still see at least two active in service; one is at the Fillmore & Western, originally built for the Southern Pacific as #7309, and another is operating on the Delaware-Lackawanna in freight service as #211 (originally SP #7302).