Alco "RS36" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Roster, Specs

Last revised: December 27, 2024

The RS36 was the final design of the Road Switcher series the builder would produce. It also saw a reduction in horsepower from the previous design, the RS32.

Unfortunately, the model sold very poorly and only saw a two-year production run. Despite its limited sales numbers the RS36 was purchased by a larger selection of railroads many of which were already quite loyal American Locomotive Company (Alco) buyers.

The future of the Schenectady manufacturer was looking increasingly fuzzy, as by the time the RS36 entered production in the early 1960s a new competitor had arisen, General Electric.

No longer known as a revolutionary and reliable locomotive builder, by the time second-generation models were being produced Alco was regularly releasing reactive designs in an attempt to remain competitive.

Today, there are not only a handful of RS36's preserved but a few remain active, including a pair of Delaware & Hudson units.

Photos

Delaware & Hudson RS36 #5019 and Maine Central RS11 #802 carry out switching chores at SK Yard in Buffalo, New York on August 5, 1984. Doug Kroll photo.

Overview

The RS36 (listed by the builder as its DL701A), offering 1,800 horsepower, began production in 1962, just a year before the manufacturer would unveil its second line of road switcher, the Century series.

The model, while offering less horsepower was meant to compete with the Electro-Motive Division's GP30 (which boasted 2,250 horsepower) released at the same time as well as General Electric's U25B (offering 2,500 horsepower).

The RS36 used Alco's new 251C prime mover, a design that was used later in the Century series. Unfortunately, just like the RS32 the RS36 sold less than 50 units to seven different railroads; the Apache Railway, Delaware & Hudson, Atlantic & Danville, Chicago & North Western, Nickel Plate Road, Norfolk & Western, and Tennessee Central.

Production ended on the line lasted for just two years, ending in 1963 when the Century series was rolled out (it may have sold somewhat better had Alco left it in the catalog).

Reception

Of the roads which bought the RS36, the D&H rostered the most, which included fifteen units. Despite the fact that Alco was slipping further behind EMD and, eventually, GE in the locomotive market some lines were loyal customers until the end like the D&H, Lehigh Valley, Norfolk & Western, C&NW, and others.

This was mostly due to the fact that Alco models were (even at the time) nearly iconic for their ability to pull heavy loads with relative ease (even though they generally were harder on the track because of their heavier weight).

Delaware & Hudson RS36 #5018 and RS11 #5011 work helper service pushing train NWED up the grade at Attica Hill near Depew, New York on October 28, 1984. Doug Kroll photo.

Additionally, most Alco's came turbocharge-equipped and those which were not could be easily convertible. Of special note, the builder offered something no one else could; better fuel mileage.

Alco's model 244 and 251 prime movers could get more horsepower using fewer cylinders than the competition. At the time, of course, such savings wasn't (generally) a high priority although in today's environment it would be a real marketing tool if the company were still in business.

Nickel Plate Road RS36 #874 is ahead of train 8, the "New Yorker," at Hammond, Indiana in February, 1963. Rick Burn photo.

Unfortunately, by the early 1960s the sun was setting for the Schenectady builder. Unable to keep up with the competition (EMD's GP30 began yet another wave of highly successful models for that company as it sold thousands of GP35s, GP38s, GP40s, and their variants) Alco would be history before 1970.

Data Sheet and Specification

Alco Class	404-DL-240
Entered Production	2/16/1962 (Nickel Plate Road #865)
Years Produced	2/16/1962-8/5/1963
Model Specification	DL701
Engine	251C, V-12
Horsepower	1,800
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 = 40

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Date Built
Apache Railway	700, 800, 900	84116-84118	9/1962
Atlantic & Danville	1, 2	84119, 84393	10/1962
Chicago & North Western	904	84113	7/1962
Delaware & Hudson	5012-5023	84394-84405	1/1963 - 2/1963
New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road)	865-868	83697-83700	2/1962 - 4/1962
New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road)	869, 870	84100, 84101	4/1962
New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road)	871-873	84104-84106	6/1962 - 7/1962
New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road)	874, 875	84102, 84103	6/1962
Norfolk & Western	407-412	84107-84112	3/1962
Tennessee Central	301, 302	84114, 84115	8/1962
Tennessee Central	303-305	84406-84408	2/1963 - 6/1963

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.

Preservation

Finally, for more information about regarding a complete production roster of the RS36 please refer to the chart above. From a historical perspective, at least two of these interesting and rare road-switchers are known preserved today.

Both units are of Delaware & Hudson heritage, #5017 and #5019; the former is active and carries passengers on the Delaware & Ulster Railroad in upstate New York between Arkville and Roxbury while the latter is currently sidelined with mechanical issues at North Creek, New York (it's fate is uncertain at this time).

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