Alco "S1" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Data Sheet
Last revised: December 23, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The Alco S-1 was one of the first switcher models the company produced and debuted just after the company had
released its first ever main line design, the DL series.
The American Locomotive Company's history with switchers actually dated as far back as the boxcab design it had developed in conjunction with General Electric and Ingersoll-Rand in 1918 for the Jay Street Connecting Railroad (#4).
In 1931 it began constructing more standard designs beginning with a 300 horsepower variant (despite railfans classifying these switchers as "High Hood" types, Alco never used such terminology as John Kirkland notes in his book, "The Diesel Builders: Volume Two").
Along with this model Alco built 600, 660, 900, and 1,000 horsepower versions through July, 1940. Convinced that it could successfully market a line of switchers, the builder released its "S" series (Switcher) soon after.
The dichotomy of Alco is fascinating; the builder proved quite successful with its switchers and light road-switcher models (RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3).
However, it struggled to catalog an effective and rugged road-switcher design that could handle the stresses and beating of daily freight service. Today, numerous S1's are preserved around the country, many of which are still operational.
Photos
It's the early Erie Lackawanna era as a former Erie Railroad S1 works local service along the old Delaware, Lackawanna & Western main line at Nichols, New York on a beautiful October day in 1963. Photographer unknown. American-Rails.com collection.Overview
The Alco S1 was first produced in 1940 featuring an end-cab design using McIntosh & Seymore's 539 model prime mover. The model came equipped with 660 horsepower and was well liked by short lines and Class Is for yard work and light branch line duties.
The engine the S1 employed proved quite adept in this capacity although the builder would come to find that producing a reliable main line design was a far trickier task.
This was mostly due to the fact that the Schenectady manufacturer did not see diesel locomotives as standard freight and passenger power, a fatal decision that would haunt the company for years. In any event, to its credit Alco correctly foresaw the demand for switchers, at least early with first-generation examples.
New Haven Railroad S-1 #0939 and a mate layover near the massive coaling tower at the Charles Street Roundhouse in Providence, Rhode Island during the early 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.Design
The S1 employed many design characteristics that the company had refined during its early years of collaborating with Ingersoll-Rand and GE, particularly during the construction of its initial switcher line.
This series was produced in conjunction with Westinghouse and McIntosh & Seymore featuring the former's "Visibility Cab" design, which was wider and, usually, taller (unless the hood was mounted flush with the top of the cab) than the trailing hood to give crews maximum visibility.
Alco would make this cab the standard for its S series and early RS (Road Switcher) locomotives. The manufacturer also carried over the carbody design features Otto Kuhler had employed on the HH locomotives, primarily in the way of soft bevels and curves.
A former Erie S1, #318, totes a short of cut of cars at Binghamton, New York in December, 1962. Author's collection.The Alco S1 was classed by Alco as its E1530 design and was quite similar to its later S3 model (actually, all of the S series locomotives were very similar in appearance, externally).
It featured four, General Electric model 731 traction motors and also used main/secondary generators from the company. Additionally, Westinghouse supplied all air components (both companies supplied Alco with these parts virtually through the end of its time as a locomotive manufacturer).
For a small switcher that only weighed 105 tons it could produce quite a bit of tractive effort; 57,500 pounds starting and 46,000 pounds continuous (a trait certainly not missed by railroads).
Chicago & North Western S1 #1223 switches the Oscar Mayer plant at Commercial Avenue in Maple Bluff, Wisconsin in July, 1963. Rick Burn photo.Data Sheet and Specifications
| Entered Production | 5/16/1940 (Des Moines Union Railway #1) |
| Years Produced | 5/16/1940-6//29/1950 |
| Model Specification | E1530 |
| Engine | 539, 6-Cylinder In-Line |
| Horsepower | 660 |
| RPM | 740 |
| Carbody Styling | Alco |
| Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces) | 45' 5.75" |
| Width | 10' |
| Height Above Rail Head | 14' 6" |
| Weight | 196,000 Lbs. |
| Trucks | B-B |
| Truck Type | Blunt |
| Truck Wheelbase | 8' |
| Wheel Size | 40" |
| Traction Motors | GE 731 (4) |
| Traction Generator | GT552 |
| Gear Ratio | 75:16 |
| Tractive Effort Rating | 29,200 Lbs. at 6.1 MPH. |
| Top Speed | 60 MPH |
Production Roster
Total Built = 555
| Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Date Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Great Southern (Southern) | 6500-6502 | 69508-69510 | 10/1941 |
| Alameda Belt Line | D-1, D-2 | 69678, 69679 | 3/1942 |
| Alameda Belt Line | D-3 | 73915 | 8/1946 |
| Alco (Demonstrator) | 590 (Was originally Alco's 1940 World Fair exhibit; displayed as New York Central #590.) | 69193 | 3/1941 |
| Alco (Demonstrator) | 5 (Plant switcher) | 75225 | 5/1947 |
| Alco (Demonstrator) | 660 (became Tacoma Municipal Belt #905) | 77790 | 3/1950 |
| American Steel & Wire | 2 | 69402 | 1/1941 |
| Ann Arbor | 2, 3 | 70051, 71663 | 7/1944, 9/1944 |
| Armco Steel | E106 | 77106 | 10/1949 |
| Armco Steel | E107, E108 | 77980, 77981 | 5/1950 |
| Arthur G. McKee & Company | DPC-25-23, DP-25-24 | 69843, 69844 | 3/1943 |
| Santa Fe | 2303, 2304 | 71991, 71992 | 6/1944 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 251 | 72694 | 9/1944 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 252-253 | 72835-72836 | 11/1944 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 254-255 | 72840-72841 | 11/1944 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 250 | 70057 | 8/1944 |
| Belt Railway of Chicago | 304 | 69501 | 8/1941 |
| Belt Railway of Chicago | 305-306 | 69810-69811 | 7/1942 |
| Birmingham Southern | 100-101 | 69502-69503 | 8/1941 |
| Boston & Maine | 1163, 1164 | 70050, 71662 | 7, 8/1944 |
| Boston & Maine | 1165 | 72837 | 10/1944 |
| Boston & Maine | 1166-1167 | 75895-75896 | 8/1948 |
| Boston & Maine | 1168-1169 | 76153-76154 | 1/1949 |
| Boston & Maine | 1170-1171 | 76568-76569 | 3/1949 |
| Boston & Maine | 1172 | 76737 | 5/1949 |
| Broward County Port Authority | 410 | 71260 | 9/1943 |
| Canadian Car & Munitions | 5 | 69824 | 12/1941 |
| Central of Georgia | 4, 6 | 69380, 69512 | 9/1940, 10/1941 |
| Central Railroad of New Jersey | 1024-1025 | 69602-69603 | 12/1941 |
| Champlain Paper & Fibre Company | 25 | 75124 | 1/1947 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 103 | 69593 | 10/1941 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 104-105 | 69827-69828 | 8/1942 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1202, 1203 | 69203, 69460 | 11/1940, 5/1941 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1204, 1205 | 69480, 69601 | 5/1941, 11/1941 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1213 | 69829 | 9/1942 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1223-1224 | 70048-70049 | 8/1944 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1225-1226 | 71660-71661 | 8/1944 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1227, 1228 | 71669, 72693 | 10/1944 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1229 | 72838 | 10/1944 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1232 - 1235 | 72845-72848 | 12/1944 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1236 | 73084 | 1/1945 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1247-1248 | 73904-73905 | 6/1946, 8/1946 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1249-1250 | 73909-73910 | 8/1946 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1251-1252 | 73912-73913 | 8/1946 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1253, 1254 | 75648, 75884 | 4/1948 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1255 - 1258 | 75885-75888 | 5/1948 |
| Chicago Great Western | 11 - 15 | 75890-75894 | 6/1948 |
| Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (C&NW) | 56-57 | 72842-72843 | 11/1944 |
| Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (C&NW) | 69 | 75889 | 5/1948 |
| Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific (Southern) | 6000-6001 | 69506-69507 | 9/1941 |
| City of Prineville | 101 | 77079 | 4/1950 |
| Day & Zimmerman Company | 3-100 | 69469 | 6/1941 |
| Delray Connecting Railroad | 66, 68 | 73347, 73351 | 4/1945, 5/1945 |
| Delray Connecting Railroad | 70, 72 | 73354, 73575 | 6/1945, 9/1945 |
| Des Moines Union Railway | 1 - 3 | 69190-69192 | 5/1940 |
| Des Moines Union Railway | 4 | 73914 | 8/1946 |
| Detroit & Mackinac | 646 | 74437 | 6/1946 |
| Donner Hanna Coal Company | 2 | 69496 | 7/1941 |
| East St. Louis Junction Railroad | 100 | 75901 | 10/1948 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 213-214 | 69208-69209 | 10/1940 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 215 | 69391 | 12/1940 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 216-217 | 69404-69405 | 1/1941 |
| Erie Railroad | 306 | 74959 | 9/1946 |
| Erie Railroad | 307-308 | 74962-74963 | 10/1946 - 11/1946 |
| Erie Railroad | 309 | 75119 | 12/1946 |
| Erie Railroad | 310-311 | 75121-75122 | 1/1947 |
| Erie Railroad | 312 - 316 | 75353-75357 | 8/1947 - 9/1947 |
| Erie Railroad | 317 | 77488 | 4/1950 |
| Erie Railroad | 318 - 320 | 77977-77979 | 4/1950 - 5/1950 |
| Erie Railroad | 321 | 77080 | 4/1950 |
| Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil | 3001 - 3005 | 69845-69849 | 11/1942 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México | 5000 - 5004 | 71664-71668 | 9/1944 |
| Ford Motor Company | 6601 | 74958 | 9/1946 |
| Ford Motor Company | 6602-6603 | 74960-74961 | 10/1946 |
| Ford Motor Company | 6604 | 74964 | 11/1946 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 32 | 73086 | 3/1945 |
| Green Bay & Western | 102 | 76152 | 1/1949 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 661 - 664 | 69386-69389 | 12/1940 |
| Hunkin Conkey Construction | 1001-1002 | 69461-69462 | 5/1941, 4/1941 |
| Inland Steel | 53, 56 | 69392, 69513 | 10/1940, 10/1941 |
| Inland Steel | 61-62 | 71264-71265 | 4/1944 |
| Inland Steel | 64 - 66 | 73344-73346 | 4/1945 |
| Inland Waterway | 1 | 69681 | 3/1942 |
| Iowa Transfer Railway | 2 | 77441 | 4/1950 |
| Johns Manville | 1 | 69684 | 3/1942 |
| John Morrel Company | 7 | 72849 | 12/1944 |
| Kewaunee, Green Bay & Western (GB&W) | 103 | 69403 | 1/1941 |
| Kansas City Terminal | 40 | 69204 | 10/1940 |
| Kansas City Terminal | 41 - 43 | 69598-69600 | 11/1941 |
| Kansas City Terminal | 44 | 69606 | 12/1941 |
| Lehigh Valley | 117 | 77998 | 6/1950 |
| Lone Star Defense Corporation | 100 | 69514 | 11/1941 |
| Long Island Rail Road | 404 - 406 | 74434-74436 | 6/1946 |
| Long Island Rail Road | 407, 408 | 73906, 73911 | 6, 7/1946 |
| Long Island Rail Road | 413 - 420 | 76738-76745 | 6-7/1949 |
| Long Island Rail Road | 421 | 76327 | 7/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 16-17 | 69516-69517 | 10/1941 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 18-19 | 69591-69592 | 10/1941 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 24 - 26 | 73586-73588 | 9/1945 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 27 - 29 | 74350-74352 | 10/1945 - 11/1945 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 34 - 37 | 74353-74356 | 11/1945 - 12/1945 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 38 | 74358 | 1/1946 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 39-40 | 74359-74360 | 4/1946 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 41-42 | 74363-74364 | 5/1946 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 43 - 46 | 74428-74431 | 5/1946 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 47 | 76570 | 4/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 48 - 51 | 76328-76331 | 8/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 52, 53 | 76921-76922 | 8/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 54 - 56 | 76923-76925 | 9/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 57-58 | 77114-77115 | 11/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 59-60 | 77116-77117 | 12/1949 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 61 - 64 | 77782-77785 | 2/1950 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 65-66 | 77788-77789 | 3/1950 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 67-68 | 77442-77443 | 4/1950 |
| Maine Central | 953, 954 | 69411, 73085 | 1/1941, 1/1945 |
| Maine Central | 955-956 | 73589-75350 | 10/1945, 7/1947 |
| Maine Central | 957 - 960 | 77107-77110 | 10/1949 |
| Margam Steel Works | 801 | 77120 | 10/1949 |
| Margam Steel Works | 802 - 805 | 77776-77779 | 2/1950 |
| Massena Terminal | 8, 9 | 69385, 69869 | 10/1940, 7/1943 |
| Minnesota Transfer | 60, 61 | 69482, 69485 | 3/1941, 5/1941 |
| Minnesota Transfer | 62 | 69499 | 7/1941 |
| Minnesota Transfer | 63-64 | 74956-74957 | 9/1946 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9007-9008 | 69197-69198 | 8/1940 |
| Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis | 1, 2 | 69470, 69478 | 7/1941 |
| Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis | 3, 4 | 74362, 74432 | 4/1946, 5/1946 |
| Newburg & South Shore Railroad | 3, 4 | 69382, 69383 | 11/1940 |
| Newburg & South Shore Railroad | 5-6 | 69489-69490 | 6/1941 |
| Newburg & South Shore Railroad | 7 | 69493 | 6/1941 |
| Newburg & South Shore Railroad | 9-10 | 69862-69863 | 10/1942 |
| New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois Railroad | 1 | 69196 | 2/1940 |
| New Orleans & Lower Coast (Missouri Pacific) | 9013 - 9015 | 75525-75527 | 10/1947 |
| New York Central | 693, 694 | 69825, 69826 | 9/1942 |
| New York Central | 695 - 698 | 69830-69833 | 10/1942 |
| New York Central | 699 - 703 | 69834-69838 | 7/1943 - 8/1943 |
| New York Central | 704 - 707 | 69839-69842 | 10/1943 |
| New York Central | 708-709 | 71262-71263 | 1/1944, 2/1944 |
| New York Central | 710-712 | 71266-71268 | 4/1944 |
| New York Central | 713-714 | 72172-72173 | 4/1944 |
| New York Central | 715, 716 | 71270, 71990 | 2/1944, 5/1944 |
| New York Central | 717 - 719 | 71993-71995 | 6/1944 |
| New York Central | 720 - 724 | 70042-70046 | 7/1944 |
| New York Central | 725 - 729 | 70052-70056 | 8/1944 |
| New York Central | 730 | 73082 | 1/1945 |
| New York Central | 731 - 736 | 73087-73092 | 2/1945 - 3/1945 |
| New York Central | 737 - 741 | 73338-73342 | 4/1945 |
| New York Central | 742 - 744 | 73348-73350 | 5/1945 |
| New York Central | 864 - 868 | 77791-77795 | 3/1950 |
| New York Central | 869 - 873 | 77074-77078 | 3/1950 |
| New York Central | 685 | 69200 | 8/1940 |
| New York Central | 686-687 | 69458-69459 | 4/1941 |
| New York Central | 688-689 | 69462-69463 | 5/1941 |
| New York Central | 690-692 | 69466-69468 | 6/1941 |
| New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Railroad) | 85 | 78139 | 6/1950 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0931, 0932 | 69472, 69473 | 4/1941 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0933, 0934 | 69476, 69477 | 4/1941 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0935, 0936 | 69483, 69484 | 5/1941 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0937, 0938 | 69487, 69488 | 6/1941 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0939, 0940 | 69491, 69492 | 7/1941 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0941 - 0947 | 69814-69820 | 6/1942 - 7/1942 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0948 - 0950 | 69821-69823 | 8/1942 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0951, 0952 | 69850, 69851 | 3/1943 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0953 - 0955 | 69852-69854 | 8/1943 - 9/1943 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0956 - 0960 | 69855-69859 | 11/1943 - 3/1944 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0961 - 0967 | 71983-71989 | 3/1944 - 5/1944 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0968-0969 | 71996-71997 | 6/1944 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0970 | 70047 | 7/1944 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0971 - 0976 | 75528-75533 | 11/1947 - 12/1947 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0977 - 0983 | 75539-75545 | 1/1948 - 3/1948 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0984 - 0987 | 75897-75900 | 9/1948 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0988, 0989 | 75902, 75903 | 11/1948 |
| New York, New Haven & Hartford | 0990 - 0995 | 76146-76151 | 12/1948 - 1/1949 |
| Northern Pacific | 131 | 73585 | 8/1945 |
| Northern Pacific Terminal | 30, 31 | 69199, 69201 | 7, 10/1940 |
| Northern Pacific Terminal | 32 - 34 | 69608-69610 | 12/1941 |
| Pennsylvania | 5661, 5662 | 77982, 77983 | 5/1950 |
| Pennsylvania | 5663 - 5668 | 77992-77997 | 5/1950 - 6/1950 |
| Pennsylvania | 5669, 5670 | 77984, 77985 | 5/1950 |
| Pennsylvania | 5954 - 5956 | 75231-75233 | 5/1947 - 6/1947 |
| Pennsylvania | 9100 | 76155 | 2/1949 |
| Pennsylvania | 9101 - 9103 | 76562-76564 | 2/1949 - 3/1949 |
| Pennsylvania | 9237 - 9239 | 76565-76567 | 3/1949 |
| Pennsylvania | 9240 | 76571 | 4/1949 |
| Pennsylvania | 9241 - 9246 | 76731-76736 | 4/1949 - 5/1949 |
| Point Comfort & Northern | 5 | 73583 | 8/1945 |
| Port Huron & Detroit | 51, 52 | 73352, 73578 | 5/1945, 8/1945 |
| Portland Terminal (Maine) | 1005, 1006 | 69494, 73083 | 7/1941, 1/1945 |
| Portland Terminal (Maine) | 1007-1008 | 77111-77112 | 10/1949 |
| Proctor & Gamble | 9 | 75534 | 1/1948 |
| Proctor & Gamble Defense Corporation | 500, 501 | 69486, 69680 | 5/1941, 2/1942 |
| Pullman Company | 20-21 | 69497-69498 | 7/1941 |
| Reading | 50 - 52 | 69205-69207 | 9/1940 |
| Reading | 53-54 | 69504-69505 | 8/1941 |
| Republic Steel | 15-16 | 69864-69865 | 5/1943 |
| Republic Steel | 17 | 69867 | 6/1943 |
| Republic Steel | 312-313 | 73576-73577 | 8/1945 |
| Republic Steel | 314 | 73584 | 9/1945 |
| Republic Steel | RSCX-D840, RSCX-D810 | 71261, 71269 | 10/1943, 4/1944 |
| Republic Steel | RSCX-D841 | 71271 | 2/1944 |
| River Terminal | 52 | 69409 | 1/1941 |
| St. Louis & O'Fallon | 51 | 73908 | 7/1946 |
| Sanderson & Porter Company | 100-101 | 69594-69595 | 8/1941 |
| Seaboard Air Line | 1201 | 69406 | 1/1941 |
| Sheffield Steel Corporation | 11, 12 | 69866, 71259 | 7/1943, 4/1944 |
| Sheffield Steel Corporation | 13 | 77119 | 10/1949 |
| Sherwin-Williams Defense Corporation | 40-41 | 69812-69813 | 4/1942 |
| Solvay Process Company | 1, 2 | 74357, 74361 | 12/1945, 4/1946 |
| Solvay Process Company | 3 | 74433 | 8/1946 |
| South Buffalo Railway | 51, 52 | 69202, 69384 | 10/1940, 12/1940 |
| South Buffalo Railway | 60, 61 | 69390, 69410 | 1/1941 |
| Southern Pacific | 1017, 1018 | 69465, 69471 | 4/1941 |
| Southern Pacific | 1019, 1020 | 69474, 69481 | 4/1941 |
| Southern Railway | 2000-2001 | 69378-69379 | 5/1940 |
| Southern Railway | 2006 | 69511 | 10/1941 |
| South Omaha Terminal | 1 | 73353 | 4/1945 |
| South Omaha Terminal | 2-3 | 73355-73356 | 4/1945 |
| South Omaha Terminal | 4, 5 | 73579, 75358 | 8/1945, 10/1947 |
| Spokane, Portland & Seattle | 10-11 | 69596-69597 | 10/1941 |
| Studebaker Corporation | 2-3 | 73581-73582 | 9/1945 |
| Tennessee Central Railway | 51 | 69515 | 11/1941 |
| Tennessee Coal & Iron | 700, 701 | 69682, 69683 | 3/1942 |
| Tennessee Coal & Iron | 702 | 73916 | 8/1946 |
| Tennessee Copper | 104, 105 | 75120, 75123 | 1/1947 |
| Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis | 521-522 | 69194-69195 | 6/1940 |
| Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis | 523-524 | 69604-69605 | 12/1941 |
| Texas & New Orleans (SP) | 10 | 69475 | 4/1941 |
| Texas Company (Texaco) | 19 | 77113 | 11/1949 |
| Texas City Terminal | 30-31 | 75125-75126 | 1/1947 |
| Texas Pacific-Missouri Pacific Terminal | 3, 4 | 69381, 69500 | 11/1940, 8/1941 |
| Timken Rolling Bearing Company | 5911, 5912 | 77486, 77487 | 5/1950 |
| Toledo, Angola & Western | 101 | 77118 | 10/1949 |
| Traux Truer Coal Company | 10 | 72844 | 11/1944 |
| Union Railroad | 451, 452 | 75234, 75349 | 6/1947 |
| Union Railroad | 453, 454 | 75351, 75352 | 8/1947 |
| Upper Merion & Plymouth | 54 | 73580 | 8/1945 |
| U.S. Army | 7135, 7136 | 69860, 69861 | 5/1943 |
| U.S. War Department | 10042, 10041 | 69407-69408 | 1/1941 |
| U.S. War Department | GT1304 | 69868 | 10/1942 |
| Wabash | 151, 152 | 69495, 69607 | 7/1941, 12/1941 |
| Wabash | 153-154 | 72695-72696 | 9/1944 |
| Wabash | 155 | 72839 | 10/1944 |
| Wabash | 156-157 | 75127-75128 | 1/1947 |
| Wabash | 158-159 | 75646-75647 | 4/1948 |
| Weirton Steel | 200 | 73343 | 4/1945 |
| Weirton Steel | 203, 204 | 73907, 74965 | 7/1946, 11/1946 |
| Western Maryland | 102 | 69479 | 7/1941 |
| Western Pacific | 504 - 511 | 69685-69692 | 4/1942 - 5/1942 |
| Youngstown Sheet & Tube | 661 - 665 | 75226-75230 | 5/1947 |
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.
El Dorado & Wesson Railway S1 #19 lays over at the engine house in El Dorado, Arkansas. This unit was built as Messena Terminal #8 in 1940. Ed Lewis photo. American-Rails.com collection.Reception
A reliable and agile locomotive, railroads found the S1 incredibly useful. In all, the locomotive would sell more than 500 examples to numerous Class I companies, smaller railroads, and a handful of private industries.
Alco itself even used an S1 for switching duties at its plant, #5. While the Montreal Locomotive Works also produced the S1 few were built, just one was constructed for the Canadian Car & Munitions located in Quebec.
Additionally, foreign lines purchased the model
including Central do Brazil, National de Mexico, Polish State Railway,
and Margam Steel Works of Britain although amongst all four only 55 were
built. For more information about the S1 please refer to the chart above, which provides a full production roster of U.S. sales.
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Oregon St. Patrick's Day Train Rides
Feb 02, 26 12:16 PM
One of the Oregon Coast Scenic's most popular—and most festive—is the St. Patrick’s Pub Train, a once-a-year celebration that combines live Irish folk music with local beer and wine as the train glide… -
Connecticut Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 02, 26 12:13 PM
If you’re looking for a signature “special occasion” experience, the Essex Steam Train's Wine & Chocolate Dinner Train stands out as a decadent, social, and distinctly memorable take on dinner on the… -
Massachusetts St. Patrick's Day Train Rides
Feb 02, 26 12:12 PM
Among Cape Cod Central's themed events, the St. Patrick’s Day Brunch Train stands out as one of the most fun ways to welcome late winter’s last stretch. -
Florida's Thomas The Train Rides
Feb 02, 26 11:53 AM
Each year, Day Out With Thomas™ turns the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish into a full-on family festival built around one big moment: stepping aboard a real train pulled by a life-size Thomas the T… -
California's Thomas The Train Rides
Feb 02, 26 11:45 AM
Held at various railroad museums and heritage railways across California, these events provide a unique opportunity for children and their families to engage with their favorite blue engine in real-li… -
Nevada Dinner Train Rides At Ely!
Feb 02, 26 09:52 AM
If you’ve ever wished you could step through a time portal into the hard-working world of a 1900s short line the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely is about as close as it gets. -
Michigan Dinner Train Rides At Owosso!
Feb 02, 26 09:35 AM
The Steam Railroading Institute is best known as the home of Pere Marquette #1225 and even occasionally hosts a dinner train! -
Virginia ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 01:08 PM
Among the state's railroad attractions, murder mystery dinner trains stand out as a captivating fusion of theatrical entertainment, fine dining, and scenic travel. -
Maryland ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 12:29 PM
Maryland is known for its scenic landscapes, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture, but did you know that it’s also home to some of the most thrilling murder mystery dinner trains? -
North Carolina St. Patrick's Day Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 12:21 PM
If you’re looking for a single, standout experience to plan around, NCTM's St. Patrick’s Day Train is built for it: a lively, evening dinner-train-style ride that pairs Irish-inspired food and drink w… -
Connecticut St. Patrick's Day Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 12:19 PM
Among RMNE’s lineup of themed trains, the Leprechaun Express has become a signature “grown-ups night out” built around Irish cheer, onboard tastings, and a destination stop that turns the excursion in… -
Alabama's Valentine's Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 12:17 PM
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum (HoDRM) is the kind of place where history isn’t parked behind ropes—it moves. This includes Valentine's Day weekend, where the museum hosts a wine pairing special. -
Florida's Valentine's Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 11:25 AM
For couples looking for something different this Valentine’s Day, the museum’s signature romantic event is back: the Valentine Limited, returning February 14, 2026—a festive evening built around a tra… -
Connecticut's Valentine's Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 11:03 AM
Operated by the Valley Railroad Company, the attraction has been welcoming visitors to the lower Connecticut River Valley for decades, preserving the feel of classic rail travel while packaging it int… -
Virginia's Valentine's Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 11:00 AM
If you’ve ever wanted to slow life down to the rhythm of jointed rail—coffee in hand, wide windows framing pastureland, forests, and mountain ridges—the Virginia Scenic Railway (VSR) is built for exac… -
Maryland's Valentine's Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 10:54 AM
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) delivers one of the East’s most “complete” heritage-rail experiences: and also offer their popular dinner train during the Valentine's Day weekend. -
Massachusetts ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Feb 01, 26 10:27 AM
This article dives into some of the alluring aspects of wine by rail in Massachusetts, currently offered by the Cape Cod Central Railroad. -
Kentucky Dinner Train Rides At Bardstown
Jan 31, 26 02:29 PM
The essence of My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is part restaurant, part scenic excursion, and part living piece of Kentucky rail history. -
Arizona Dinner Train Rides From Williams!
Jan 31, 26 01:29 PM
While the Grand Canyon Railway does not offer a true, onboard dinner train experience it does offer several upscale options and off-train dining. -
Washington "Valentine's" Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 12:02 PM
Whether you’re a dedicated railfan chasing preserved equipment or a couple looking for a memorable night out, CCR&M offers a “small railroad, big experience” vibe—one that shines brightest on its spec… -
Georgia "Valentine's" Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:55 AM
If you’ve ridden the SAM Shortline, it’s easy to think of it purely as a modern-day pleasure train—vintage cars, wide South Georgia skies, and a relaxed pace that feels worlds away from interstates an… -
Maryland ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:49 AM
This article delves into the enchanting world of wine tasting train experiences in Maryland, providing a detailed exploration of their offerings, history, and allure. -
Colorado ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:40 AM
To truly savor these local flavors while soaking in the scenic beauty of Colorado, the concept of wine tasting trains has emerged, offering both locals and tourists a luxurious and immersive indulgenc… -
Iowa's ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:34 AM
The state not only boasts a burgeoning wine industry but also offers unique experiences such as wine by rail aboard the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. -
Minnesota ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:24 AM
Murder mystery dinner trains offer an enticing blend of suspense, culinary delight, and perpetual motion, where passengers become both detectives and dining companions on an unforgettable journey. -
Georgia ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:23 AM
In the heart of the Peach State, a unique form of entertainment combines the thrill of a murder mystery with the charm of a historic train ride. -
Colorado's ~ Murder Mystery ~ Dinner Train Rides
Jan 31, 26 11:15 AM
Nestled among the breathtaking vistas and rugged terrains of Colorado lies a unique fusion of theater, gastronomy, and travel—a murder mystery dinner train ride. -
Colorado "Valentine's" Train Rides
Jan 30, 26 11:02 AM
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is the kind of trip that feels tailor-made for railfans and casual travelers alike, including during Valentine's weekend. -
Massachusetts "Valentine's" Train Rides
Jan 30, 26 10:37 AM
The Cape Cod Central Railroad (CCCR) blends classic New England scenery with heritage equipment, narrated sightseeing, and some of the region’s best-known “rails-and-meals” experiences. -
California "Valentine's" Train Rides
Jan 30, 26 10:34 AM
Operating out of West Sacramento, this excursion railroad has built a calendar that blends scenery with experiences—wine pours, themed parties, dinner-and-entertainment outings, and seasonal specials… -
Kansas Dinner Train Rides In Abilene
Jan 30, 26 10:27 AM
If you’re looking for a heritage railroad that feels authentically Kansas—equal parts prairie scenery, small-town history, and hands-on railroading—the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad delivers. -
Georgia's Dinner Train Rides In Nashville!
Jan 30, 26 10:23 AM
If you’ve ever wished you could slow down, trade traffic for jointed rail, and let a small-town landscape roll by your window while a hot meal is served at your table, the Azalea Sprinter delivers tha… -
Georgia "Wine Tasting" Train Rides In Cordele
Jan 30, 26 10:20 AM
While the railroad offers a range of themed trips throughout the year, one of its most crowd-pleasing special events is the Wine & Cheese Train—a short, scenic round trip designed to feel like… -
Arizona ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Jan 30, 26 10:18 AM
For those who want to experience the charm of Arizona's wine scene while embracing the romance of rail travel, wine tasting train rides offer a memorable journey through the state's picturesque landsc… -
Arkansas ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Jan 30, 26 10:17 AM
This article takes you through the experience of wine tasting train rides in Arkansas, highlighting their offerings, routes, and the delightful blend of history, scenery, and flavor that makes them so… -
Wisconsin ~ Wine Tasting ~ Train Rides
Jan 29, 26 11:26 PM
Wisconsin might not be the first state that comes to mind when one thinks of wine, but this scenic region is increasingly gaining recognition for its unique offerings in viticulture. -
Illinois Dinner Train Rides At Monticello
Jan 29, 26 02:21 PM
The Monticello Railway Museum (MRM) is one of those places that quietly does a lot: it preserves a sizable collection, maintains its own operating railroad, and—most importantly for visitors—puts hist…
