Alco "RS1" Locomotives: Roster, Specs, Data Sheet
Last revised: December 27, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The American Locomotive Company (Alco) could seemingly never outdo the Electro-Motive Division for dominance in the early diesel locomotive market.
Despite this, the company would develop one of the most important layouts for how all future diesel locomotives would be built; the RS1, which pioneered the original road-switcher design.
Not only would EMD go on to use the carbody style in its later General Purpose (GP) series but also the offset cab layout is still used today by General Electric and successor Electro-Motive Diesel.
The RS1 was in production longer than any other model at the time, remaining in Alco's catalog for nearly 20 years. Today, you can still find a handful of these rugged workhorses preserved at various museums around the country - some of which are even still operational.
Photos
It's the early Penn Central era as a former Pennsylvania RS-1 lays over in Bristol, Pennsylvania along the Northeast Corridor during the spring of 1968. Photographer unknown. American-Rails.com collection.The RS1 was released by the builder in early 1941; it was the first in a long line of Road Switcher models that ended in 1963 with the RS36. It is also recognized as the first, true road-switcher ever cataloged by a locomotive manufacturer. Alco's history with its early, cataloged diesel switchers dated all of the way back to its demonstrator HH300 models (High Hood) of the early 1930s.
Pennsylvania RS1 #9919 at Meadows Yard in Kearny, New Jersey, circa 1967. Fred Byerly photo. American-Rails.com collection.However, the company's history with diesel locomotive technology goes back even further to a testbed switcher outshopped in July, 1925 in conjunction with General Electric and Ingersoll-Rand. In his book, "The Diesel Builders, Volume Two: American Locomotive Company and Montreal Locomotive Works," author John Kirkland notes this 300 horsepower, 60-ton unit was completed as Alco order S1484, construction number 65979.
The early "HH" series models were essentially prototypes themselves, built in conjunction with Westinghouse and McIntosh & Seymore, and sold to a handful of railroads. Interestingly, as Kirkland points out, Alco never actually cataloged these switchers as "High Hood," designs. This was yet another term later coined by railfans.
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway RS-1 #105, sub-lettered for subsidiary Alabama, Tennessee & Northern, is seen here in Springfield, Missouri, circa 1965. Mac Owen photo. American-Rails.com collection.The RS1, a design requested at the behest of Rock Island's chief operating officer, J.D. Farrington for use in passenger service along its lightly populated branch lines in the Midwest. In addition to passenger assignments consisting of only one or two cars, railroads soon found the RS1 could handle both light freight duties and switching assignments.
The RS1 was given slight design features from famed industrial designer Otto Kuhler. Most noteworthy is that they were the first to employ raised cabs for better visibility, so commonly employed in today's locomotives. Designed by Westinghouse as the "visibility cab", they were normally wider and taller than the engine hood providing crews with better visibility featuring an arched roof line.
Spokane, Portland & Seattle RS1 #54 at Portland, Oregon; August, 1965. Fred Byerly photo. American-Rails.com collection.As such, it featured a long hood to house the 539T power plant, a McIntosh & Seymore with a cab was placed offset on the frame. This setup gave the locomotive a short hood at one end, used to house a steam generator for passenger service.
Data Sheet and Specifications
1941-1942
| Alco Class | 404-DL-240 |
| Entered Production | 3/14/1941 |
| Years Produced | 3/1941-6/1942 |
| Model Specification | E1640 |
| Engine | 539T, 6-Cylinder In-Line, Turbocharged |
| Engine Builder | Alco/McIntosh & Seymour |
| Horsepower | 1,000 |
| Carbody Styling | Alco |
| Length (Between Coupler Faces) | 55' 11 ¾" |
| Height (Top of Rail to Top of Cab) | 14' 6" |
| Width | 10' 0" |
| Weight | 240,000 Lbs |
| Dynamic Brakes | Yes |
| Air Brake Schedule | 14EL |
| Trucks | B-B |
| Truck Type | Swing Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer (AAR Type-B) |
| Wheelbase | 9' 4" |
| Wheel Size | 40" |
| Traction Motors | GE 731 (4) |
| Traction Generator | GT533 |
| Gear Ratio | 75:16 |
| Tractive Effort Rating (Starting) | 72,000 Lbs (at 30% adhesion) |
| Tractive Effort Rating | 34,000 Lbs at 8 MPH |
| Top Speed | 60 MPH |
Post World War II
| Alco Class | 404-DL-240 |
| Entered Production | 3/14/1941 |
| Years Produced | 1945-11/1957 |
| Model Specification | E1641/A |
| Engine | 539T, 6-Cylinder In-Line, Turbocharged |
| Engine Builder | Alco/McIntosh & Seymour |
| Horsepower | 1,000 |
| Carbody Styling | Alco |
| Length (Between Coupler Faces) | 55' 11 ¾" |
| Height (Top of Rail to Top of Cab) | 14' 6" |
| Width | 10' 0" |
| Weight | 240,000 Lbs |
| Dynamic Brakes | Yes (Optional) |
| Air Brake Schedule | 14EL |
| Trucks | B-B |
| Truck Type | Swing Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer (AAR Type-B) |
| Wheelbase | 9' 4" |
| Wheel Size | 40" |
| Traction Motors | GE 731D (4) |
| Traction Generator | GT553A |
| Gear Ratio | 75:16 |
| Tractive Effort Rating (Starting) | 72,000 Lbs (at 30% adhesion) |
| Tractive Effort Rating (Continuous) | 34,000 Lbs at 8 MPH |
| Top Speed | 60 MPH |
Prior to the start of World War II there were thirteen RS1's produced for five different railroads. Please refer to the table below. These locomotives were later requisitioned by the U.S. Army for use on the Trans-Iranian Railway to supply Russia with war materiel during the conflict.
The locomotives were based out of the Port of Bandar Shahpur on the Persian Gulf, running 685 miles largely through an arid, desert environment before entering elevations of 7,000 feet.
The Army had Alco retrofit the units with tapered cabs and change the roof line to meet tunnel clearances. In addition, the B-B, four-axle trucks were swapped out for C-C, six-axle trucks (all-powered). These were essentially the first "RSD-1" models.
New locomotives were later built for the original railroads (paid by the U.S. government) to replace those requisitioned, in April and May of 1943 (1946 for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad).
One of the Soo Line's rugged RS1s, #106 (built as Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic #106), is tied down at Burlington, Wisconsin in April, 1964. Rick Burn photo.Production Rosters
Pre-War Production Board (WPB) Units
These RS1s were completed before the War Production Board (WPB) took control of manufacturing throughout the nation and imposed restrictions on new diesels produced. This went into effect on April 4, 1942.
Total Built = 13
| Railroad | Road Number | Construction Number | Date Built | Date Rebuilt (Army) | U.S. War Department Number | Replacement Construction Number (RR) | Date Rebuilt For Railroads | New Road Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Island | 748 | 69424 | 3/1941 | 11/1942 | 8005 | 70816 | 5/1943 | 742 |
| Rock Island | 749 | 69425 | 3/1941 | 12/1942 | 8006 | 70817 | 5/1943 | 743 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 901 | 69426 | 3/1941 | 1/1943 | 8010 | 70810 | 4/1943 | 904 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 902 | 69427 | 3/1941 | 1/1943 | 8011 | 70811 | 4/1943 | 904 |
| Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad | 600 | 69428 | 4/1941 | 12/1942 | 8008 | 75203 | 10/1946 | 602 |
| Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad | 601 | 69566 | 4/1941 | 1/1943 | 8009 | 75204 | 10/1946 | 603 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1678 | 69567 | 6/1941 | 11/1942 | 8002 | 70814 | 4/1943 | 1676 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1679 | 69568 | 6/1941 | 11/1942 | 8003 | 70815 | 4/1943 | 1677 |
| Rock Island | 746 | 69569 | 8/1941 | 12/1942 | 8007 | 70818 | 5/1943 | 744 |
| Rock Island | 747 | 69570 | 8/1941 | 11/1942 | 8004 | 70819 | 5/1943 | 745 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 903 | 69800 | 6/1942 | 1/1943 | 8012 | 70821 | 4/1943 | 906 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 231 | 69992 | 6/1942 | 11/1942 | 8000 | 70812 | 4/1943 | 231 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 233 | 69993 | 6/1942 | 11/1942 | 8001 | 70813 | 4/1943 | 233 |
The six-axle version came in either a C-C or A1A-A1A truck setup. The standard RS1 came in a B-B truck setup (four axles) and could produce 34,000 pounds of tractive effort with a top speed of 60 mph (although it rarely ever reached such speeds). It was quite short at just 54 feet, 11 inches and also featured a very low profile.
Overall, the model weighed just 120 tons and featured electrical and other components from both General Electric and Westinghouse. With the Rock Island's original request it was one of the initial railroads to receive the model when the first batches were completed in March of 1941, delivered to:
- Tennessee Coal & Iron
- Milwaukee Road
- New York, Susquehanna & Western
- Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay Railroad
Post World War II
Total Built = 340
| Owner | Road Number(s) | Construction Number(s) | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, Canton & Youngstown | D-2 | 74323 | 10/1945 |
| Alabama, Tennessee & Northern | 101, 102 | 71435, 73096 | 11/1944, 12/1944 |
| Alabama, Tennessee & Northern | 103, 104 | 73326, 73327 | 3/1945 |
| Alabama, Tennessee & Northern | 105, 106 | 73758, 74321 | 6/1945, 10/1945 |
| Alabama, Tennessee & Northern | 107-109 | 75110-75112 | 5/1946 - 6/1946 |
| Alabama, Tennessee & Northern | 110, 111 | 75480, 75481 | 8/1947 |
| Alaska Railroad | 1000, 1001 | 71319, 71320 | 5/1944 |
| Alton Railroad | 50 | 74322 | 10/1945 |
| Alton Railroad | 51-53 | 74494-74496 | 11/1945 |
| Alton Railroad | 54-58 | 74677-74681 | 11/1945 |
| Alton Railroad | 59 | 74823 | 12/1945 |
| Ann Arbor | 20, 21 | 78374, 78375 | 11/1950 |
| Santa Fe | 2385-2387 | 75391-75393 | 6/1947 - 7/1947 |
| Santa Fe | 2388 | 75482 | 8/1947 |
| Santa Fe | 2394, 2395 | 78115, 77838 | 8/1950, 12/1949 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 904, 905 | 70810, 70811 | 4/1943 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 906 | 70821 | 4/1943 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 907, 908 | 70809, 70822 | 11/1943 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 909 | 72812 | 6/1944 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 910, 911 | 73332, 73333 | 4/1945 |
| Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay | 912, 913 | 75559, 77848 | 10/1947, 2/1950 |
| Atlantic & East Carolina | 500 | 79047 | 4/1951 |
| Bamberger Railroad | 570 | 70820 | 5/1943 |
| Central Railroad of New Jersey | 1200-1204 | 78095-78099 | 6/1950 |
| Central Railroad of New Jersey | 1205 | 79234 | 9/1951 |
| Chesapeake & Ohio | 5114, 5115 | 80851, 80852 | 9/1953 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 115-118 | 73328-73331 | 4/1945 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1066 | 79589 | 9/1953 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1067, 1068 | 79590, 79591 | 8/1953 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1069 | 80850 | 9/1953 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1080 | 72816 | 8/1944 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1081 (1st) | 72921 | 9/1944 |
| Chicago & Western Indiana | 252, 253 | 76799, 76800 | 7/1949 |
| Chicago & Western Indiana | 254-257 | 77172-77175 | 10/1949 - 11/1949 |
| Chicago & Western Indiana | 258, 259 | 77836, 77837 | 12/1949 |
| Chicago & Western Indiana | 260-263 | 77849-77852 | 2/1950 |
| Milwaukee Road | 961-963 | 77469-77471 | 3/1950 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1676, 1677 | 70814, 70815 | 4/1943 |
| Rock Island | 735-739 | 71312-71316 | 1/1944 - 2/1944 |
| Rock Island | 740, 741 | 70823, 70824 | 11/1943 |
| Rock Island | 742-745 | 70816-70819 | 5/1943 |
| Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (Soo Line) | 100, 101 | 73753, 73760 | 5/1945, 6/1945 |
| Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (Soo Line) | 102 | 75215 | 12/1946 |
| Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (Soo Line) | 103-105 | 75217-75219 | 1-2/1947 |
| Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (Soo Line) | 106, 107 | 75389, 78376 | 5/1947, 1/1951 |
| DuPont | 105-108 | 79050-79053 | 6-7/1951 |
| Gaylord Container | 302, 303 | 75842, 75843 | 5/1948 |
| GE-Atomic Energy Commission | 39-3729, 39-3730 | 75844, 76206 | 6/1948 |
| GE-Atomic Energy Commission | 39-3731, 39-3732 | 76210, 76211 | 10/1948 |
| Genesee & Wyoming | 25, 30 | 79580, 81345 | 1/1952, 5/1955 |
| Grand Trunk Western | 1950, 1951 | 82355, 82356 | 11/1957 |
| Great Northern | 182, 183 | 72922, 72923 | 9/1944 |
| Great Northern | 184, 185 | 72924, 71433 | 11/1944, 10/1944 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1102 | 71438 | 11/1944 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1103, 1104 | 73094, 73095 | 12/1944 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1105-1107 | 73335-73337 | 4/1945 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1108, 1109 | 73573, 73574 | 5/1945 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1110 | 73752 | 5/1945 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1111, 1112 | 74910, 74911 | 1/1946, 4/1946 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1113 | 75216 | 1/1947 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1114, 1115 | 75220, 75221 | 2/1947 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1116, 1117 | 75223, 75224 | 3/1947 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1120 | 76219 | 12/1948 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1121, 1122 | 76624, 76625 | 1/1949 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1123-1125 | 76629-76631 | 3/1949 - 4/1949 |
| Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 1126, 1127 | 76796, 76798 | 4/1949, 5/1949 |
| Illinois Terminal | 750-752 | 75839-75841 | 5/1948 |
| Illinois Terminal | 754 | 77855 | 3/1950 |
| Illinois Terminal | 755, 756 | 77069, 77070 | 3/1950 |
| Kansas City Southern | 1110-1113 | 70825-70828 | 11/1943 - 12/1943 |
| Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion | 20, 21 | 76797, 78241 | 4/1949, 8/1950 |
| Lake Superior & Ishpeming | 1001-1003 | 79576-79578 | 11/1951 - 12/1951 |
| Long Island Railroad | 461, 462 | 76220, 76622 | 12/1948, 1/1949 |
| Long Island Railroad | 463-465 | 76626-76628 | 2/1949 - 3/1949 |
| Long Island Railroad | 466-469 | 77475-77478 | 4/1950 |
| Midland Continental Railroad | 401, 402 | 74912, 79579 | 4/1946, 12/1951 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 244 | 71317 | 2/1944 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 744, 944 | 71434, 71436 | 7/1944, 9/1944 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 1044, 1144 | 73093, 79097 | 10/1944, 11/1944 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 645, 745 | 73334, 73759 | 6/1945, 7/1945 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 845, 945 | 74317, 74318 | 8/1945, 9/1945 |
| Minneapolis &a St. Louis | 146, 246 | 74821, 74822 | 1/1946, 2/1946 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 346, 446 | 74824, 74909 | 3/1946, 4/1946 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 546, 646 | 75113, 75114 | 5/1946, 6/1946 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 746, 846 | 75115, 75116 | 7/1946, 8/1946 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 946, 1046 | 75117, 75118 | 9/1946, 10/1946 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 547 | 75390 | 5/1947 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 948, 1048 | 76207, 76208 | 9/1948, 10/1948 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 1148 | 76209 | 11/1948 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 849, 949 | 77842, 77843 | 8/1949, 9/1949 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 1049, 1149 | 77844, 77845 | 10/1949, 11/1949 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 1249 | 77846 | 12/1959 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 950, 1050 | 78243, 78244 | 9/1950, 10/1950 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 1150, 1250 | 78245, 78373 | 11/1950, 12/1950 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 751 | 79235 | 7/1951 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | 851, 951 | 79346, 79347 | 8/1951, 9/1951 |
| Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste Marie (Soo Line) | 350, 351 | 80853, 80854 | 12/1954 |
| Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste Marie (Soo Line) | 352, 353 | 80978, 80979 | 12/1954 |
| New York Central | 8100 | 75825 | 2/1948 |
| New York Central | 8101-8105 | 75680-75684 | 1/1948 - 2/1948 |
| New York Central | 8106-8108 | 75826-75828 | 2/1948 - 3/1948 |
| New York Central | 8109-8111 | 77986-77988 | 4/1950 |
| New York Central | 8112, 8113 | 78090, 78091 | 5/1950 |
| New Haven | 0660-0669 | 75829-75838 | 3/1948 - 4/1948 |
| New Haven | 0670, 0671 | 76212, 76213 | 11/1948 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 230 | 71437 | 11/1944 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 231, 233 (2nd) | 70812, 70813 | 4/1943 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 232-236 (Evens) | 73098-73100 | 1/1945 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 238, 240 | 73568, 73569 | 4/1945 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 242, 244 | 73754, 73755 | 5/1945 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 246-252 (Evens) | 75555-75558 | 9/1947 - 10/1947 |
| New York, Susquehanna & Western | 254, 256 | 79584, 79585 | 6/1953 |
| Northern Pacific | 155 | 73761 | 6/1945 |
| Northern Pacific | 156 | 74316 | 10/1945 |
| Northern Pacific | 157, 158 | 73765, 73766 | 8/1945 |
| Oregon Electric Railway | 52-54 | 73570-73572 | 4/1945 - 5/1945 |
| Oregon Electric Railway | 55 | 73756 | 6/1945 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5619, 5620 | 78106, 78107 | 6/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5621-5624 | 78110-78113 | 6/1950 - 7/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5625-5628 | 78100-78103 | 6/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5629 | 78114 | 8/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5630, 5631 | 78116, 78117 | 8/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5632-5636 | 78159-78163 | 8/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5637, 5638 | 78104, 78105 | 6/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5639, 5640 | 78108, 78109 | 6/1950 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 5906 | 76214 | 12/1948 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 8485, 8486 | 79582, 79583 | 5/1952 |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 8857, 8858 | 78377, 79046 | 4/1951 |
| Rutland Railway | 400, 401 | 79349, 79350 | 10/1951 |
| Rutland Railway | 402-405 | 79572-79575 | 10/1951 - 11/1951 |
| Spokane International | 200-205 | 77166-77171 | 9/1949 - 10/1949 |
| Spokane International | 206-208 | 77839-77841 | 12/1949 |
| Spokane International | 209-211 | 79586-79588 | 7/1953 - 8/1953 |
| Spokane, Portland & Seattle | 50, 51 | 73757, 73762 | 6/1945, 7/1945 |
| Tennessee Coal & Iron | 602, 603 | 75203, 75204 | 10/1946 |
| Tennessee Coal & Iron | 604 | 75484 | 9/1947 |
| U.S. Navy | 6 | 72817 | 9/1944 |
| Washington Terminal | 40 | 71318 | 3/1944 |
| Washington Terminal | 41-43 | 72813-72815 | 6/1944 - 7/1944 |
| Washington Terminal | 44, 45 | 73763, 73764 | 7/1945, 8/1945 |
| Washington Terminal | 46, 47 | 74314, 74315 | 9/1945 |
| Washington Terminal | 48, 49 | 74319, 74320 | 10/1945 |
| Washington Terminal | 50-54 | 75560-75564 | 11/1947 - 12/1947 |
| Washington Terminal | 55 | 75679 | 12/1947 |
| Washington Terminal | 56-59 | 76215-76218 | 12/1948 |
| Washington Terminal | 60-62 | 77472-77474 | 3/1950 |
| Washington Terminal | 63, 64 | 79048, 79049 | 5/1951 |
| Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) | 2360, 2361 | 77853, 77854 | 2/1950, 3/1950 |
| Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) | 2362 | 78242 | 8/1950 |
| Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) | 2363, 2364 | 79054, 79055 | 8/1951 |
| Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) | 2365-2367 | 79231-79233 | 9/1951 |
| Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) | 2368 | 79581 | 3/1952 |
Export
Total Built = 116
| Owner | Road Number(s) | Construction Number(s) | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabian-American Oil Company (Saudi Arabia) | A11x50, A11x51 | 75222, 75488 | 2/1947, 9/1947 |
| Arabian-American Oil Company (Saudi Arabia) | 1002 | 76623 | 1/1949 |
| Arabian-American Oil Company (Saudi Arabia) | 1003, 1004 | 77071, 77072 | 3/1950 |
| Arabian-American Oil Company (Saudi Arabia) | 1005 | 79348 | 10/1951 |
| Central Railway of Brazil | 3100-3119 | 71413-71432 | 4/1945 - 10/1945 |
| Central Railway of Brazil | 3120-3133 | 73703-73716 | 10/1945 - 1/1946 |
| Central Railway of Brazil | 3134, 3135 | 75924, 75925 | 7/1948 |
| Central Railway of Brazil | 3136, 3137 | 75930, 75931 | 8/1948, 9/1948 |
| São Paulo Railway (Brazil) | 504-507 | 75926-75929 | 8/1948 |
| São Paulo Railway (Brazil) | 508, 509 | 75932, 75933 | 9/1948 |
| Estrada de Ferro Santos-Jundiaí (Brazil) | 510, 511 | 81346, 82018 | 4/1956, 12/1956 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5606, 5607 | 77847, 77073 | 2/1950, 3/1950 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5608, 5609 | 77989, 77990 | 4/1950 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5610-5618 | 78033-78041 | 4/1950 - 5/1950 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5619 (1st) | 78042 | 5/1950 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5620, 5621 (1st) | 78088, 78089 | 5/1950 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5619-5621 (2nd) [MLW] | 76430-76432 | 4/1954 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5622-5624 (1st) | 78092-78094 | 5/1950 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5622-5624 (2nd) | 81347-81349 | 10/1956 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5625-5631 | 82011-82017 | 10/1956 - 11/1956 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5632-5638 | 82019-82025 | 12/1956 - 1/1957 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5639-5643 | 82343-82347 | 1/1957 - 2/1957 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5644-5650 | 82348-82354 | 7/1957 - 8/1957 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5651 | 82357 | 5/1958 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5652-5656 | 82923-82927 | 12/1958 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5657-5662 | 83619-83624 | 12/1959 - 1/1960 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (Mexico) | 5663 (Final RS1 built) | 83680 | 3/1960 |
Kansas City Southern RS1 #1113 carries out switching work in Kansas City, circa 1967. American-Rails.com collection.Despite only modest sales numbers the RS1 could be found on railroads across the country from the Pennsylvania and New York Central to the Milwaukee Road and Northern Pacific.
While most RS1s were used in light branch line work some were also utilized in other applications, such as switching passenger cars at passenger terminals.
The later RS2 and RS3 sold thousands to several railroads and private industries, offering just the right blend of size and power. Unfortunately, later models could not replicate the same success and throughout the 1950s Alco lost ground to EMD.
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio RS-1 #1116 in Jackson, Mississippi; February, 1969. Dennis Conniff photo/Warren Calloway collection.
Marty Bernard caught Santa Fe RS-1 #2395 from Chicago's Roosevelt Road Viaduct at work near Dearborn Station on July 7, 1966.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.
- Rail Heritage Publications. Early Diesel-Electric and Electric Locomotives. Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation, 1983.
- Schafer, Mike. Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 1998.
- Solomon, Brian. Alco Locomotives. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2009.
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Alco "DH-643" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Data Sheet
Nov 13, 26 10:39 PM
Alco DH-643: 4,300 hp diesel-hydraulic C-C road switcher. Three built for the Southern Pacific in September 1964. Specs, drive, and the production roster. -
Virginia Scenic Lists the 2026 Santa Express
Nov 13, 26 10:26 PM
Virginia Scenic Railway lists the Santa Express from November 28 through December 23, 2026. The ride is about 60 minutes. The page says it is not a scenic excursion. Coach is $50. -
Goleta Depot Stays Open Behind Storm Fencing
Nov 13, 26 07:20 PM
The City of Goleta says fencing and sandbags protect the historic depot. The museum building is closed for the season. Rides continue, and the Candy Cane Train runs November 28 through December 27, 20… -
Brandywine Museum Opens Its Holiday Railroad
Nov 13, 26 07:02 PM
The Brandywine Museum of Art opens the holiday model railroad on November 14, 2026. It runs through January 10, 2027, with holiday admission. -
Great Northern Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Nov 13, 26 04:14 PM
Great Northern steam locomotives built since 1900. Drury quantity column 1,376. Rebuilds counted once, 1,178 frames. Last steam run was in August 1957. -
Illinois Railway Museum Adds Three Burlington Gallery Cars
Nov 13, 26 01:54 PM
The Illinois Railway Museum says Burlington gallery coaches 702 and 709 and cab car 791 arrived on November 11, 2026. -
Great Northern Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters, History
Nov 13, 26 01:41 PM
James J. Hill and the Great Northern, from the St. Paul and Pacific to the last spike near Scenic on January 6, 1893, and into Burlington Northern at 12:01 a.m. on March 2, 1970. Steam and diesel rost… -
West Chester Lists Its 2026 Holiday Trains
Nov 13, 26 01:25 PM
The West Chester Railroad lists a 2026 Christmas Tree Train at 8 a.m. and a separate Santa Express of 75 minutes. The event pages do not print a calendar. -
Burlington Northern Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 13, 26 12:49 PM
Burlington Northern diesel roster of locomotives bought new from 1970 through December 30, 1996. Electro-Motive and General Electric, with builder serials and order numbers. Predecessor fleets stay on… -
Atherton Train Station Museum Opens in the Old Depot
Nov 13, 26 12:21 PM
The Almanac reports that the Atherton Train Station Museum opened October 18 with six dioramas in the old depot beside Town Center. -
Manheim and Lititz Study a Strasburg Excursion
Nov 13, 26 12:15 PM
LancasterOnline reports that a working group and the Strasburg Rail Road are studying passenger trips between Manheim and Lititz if a line purchase goes through. -
Berkshire Scenic Railway Works to Replace Burned RDC
Nov 13, 26 09:53 AM
A fire on October 24, 2026 damaged New Haven 41 at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum. Volunteers are trying to finish Boston and Maine 6126 for the Tinseliner. -
Conway Scenic Lists the Winter Mountaineer
Nov 13, 26 12:37 AM
Conway Scenic Railroad lists Winter Mountaineer trips from North Conway on select dates from November 28, 2026, through March 2027. -
Burlington Northern Railroad: Map, Logo, History
Nov 12, 26 05:29 PM
Burlington Northern, formed at 12:01 a.m. on March 2, 1970 from the Hill Lines. Powder River coal, the Frisco merger of November 21, 1980, and the Santa Fe combination of 1995–96. The diesel ros… -
Age of Steam Roundhouse Receives Chesapeake & Ohio 1308
Nov 12, 26 04:05 PM
Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1308 has arrived at the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, from Huntington, West Virginia. -
Hoosier Valley Santa Trains Begin November 21
Nov 12, 26 03:59 PM
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum lists Santa trains on five Saturdays from November 21 through December 19, 2026, leaving North Judson, Indiana. -
Strasburg Rail Road Closes for Track Replacement
Nov 12, 26 12:44 PM
The Strasburg Rail Road homepage says the railroad is closed for track replacement until November 21, 2026. -
Union Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 12, 26 12:22 PM
Union Pacific diesel roster with builder serials and order numbers. Alco, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive, and General Electric. Merger partners keep their own roster pages. -
Escanaba & Lake Superior Weighs a Trail on the Wells Grade
Nov 12, 26 12:15 PM
Michigan and the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad are discussing a sale of 60 miles of inactive grade between Wells and Channing for a trail, with the grade kept for possible rail use. -
Oklahoma Railway Museum Repaints Santa Fe FP45 90
Nov 12, 26 11:58 AM
The Oklahoma Railway Museum is repainting Santa Fe FP45 90 in the blue-and-yellow Freight Bonnet it wore as 5990. The museum does not plan to operate the locomotive. -
Pullmans Move Toward a Chicago Home With a Norfolk Southern Switch
Nov 12, 26 11:49 AM
Friends of the Pullman National Historical Park held a spike-setting on November 9, 2026. Norfolk Southern has installed a switch and committed $250,000 toward a future rail connection. -
Sloss Furnaces Entrance Gets a Norfolk Southern Grant
Nov 12, 26 11:44 AM
Norfolk Southern awarded a $146,460 Thriving Communities grant to the Sloss Furnaces Foundation for the 32nd Street entrance in Birmingham. -
Union Pacific 2-10-2 5511 Passes Its First Steam Test
Nov 12, 26 12:12 AM
Union Pacific 2-10-2 5511 passed a steam test at Silvis, Illinois. Railfan and Railroad reports a summer 2027 target. A November 6 Trains report had no immediate operating plan. -
Union Pacific Steam Roster
Nov 12, 26 12:03 AM
Union Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Oregon Short Line, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, and Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company numbers, with the 4-12-2s, Challengers, Big Boys… -
Union Pacific Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Nov 11, 26 11:56 PM
The Union Pacific, from the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, and Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, through E. H. Harriman and the mergers that built the modern railroad. Steam and diesel rosters… -
Texas and Pacific Railway: Map, History, Timetables
Nov 10, 26 10:33 PM
The Texas & Pacific Railway, the federally chartered southern transcontinental that stopped at Sierra Blanca and became the Missouri Pacific's Texas and Louisiana main line. Merged October 15, 1976. -
Texas and Pacific Steam Locomotives: Texas Types and Mountains
Nov 10, 26 10:30 PM
Texas & Pacific steam: 70 Lima 2-10-4 Texas types, 600-669, classes I-1 through I-1d, and 10 Mountains, 900-909. No. 610 is at Palestine. -
Texas and Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 10, 26 10:29 PM
All-time diesel roster of locomotives built for the Texas & Pacific. 246 units: E7s, E8s, 83 F7A and 35 F7B, NW2s, SW7s, SW8s, SW9s, GP7s, GP9s, GP18s, and GP35s. Serials and order numbers. -
Santa Fe-Southern Pacific Railroad: Merger, History, Paint Scheme
Nov 10, 26 10:07 PM
The proposed Santa Fe-Southern Pacific merger, from the 1980 attempt and the 1983 holding company through the ICC denial, the Kodachrome paint, and the sale of the Southern Pacific. -
CSX Santa Train Will Feature Locomotives 250 and 2026
Nov 10, 26 01:51 PM
The CSX Santa Train will feature locomotives 250 and 2026 on November 21, 2026. The 84th running covers 110 miles from Shelbiana, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee. -
Denton County Asks to Extend Stadler Car Relief
Nov 10, 26 01:05 PM
Denton County Transit Authority has asked the FRA to extend a waiver for its Stadler diesel multiple-unit cars. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
FreightCar America Reports Third-Quarter Results
Nov 10, 26 01:02 PM
FreightCar America reported third-quarter revenue of $76.5 million and 662 railcar deliveries. Backlog stood at 2,660 cars valued at $284.5 million. -
Amtrak Has Filed a Train Control Amendment
Nov 10, 26 12:53 PM
Amtrak asked the FRA on October 26, 2026, to amend the safety plan for its Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. Comments are due November 30, 2026. -
SunRail Signal Waiver Is Open for Comment
Nov 10, 26 12:25 PM
FRA has asked for comment on a petition to extend signal-testing relief on the Central Florida Rail Corridor. The notice names both the corridor and CSXT. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
Cars and Units Rose With BNSF Third-Quarter Earnings
Nov 10, 26 12:18 PM
Berkshire Hathaway reports that after-tax BNSF earnings increased 19.3 percent in the third quarter of 2026, with car and unit volumes up 3.9 percent. -
Amtrak Chicago Platforms Are Moving Toward Level Boarding
Nov 10, 26 12:13 PM
Amtrak says construction is underway soon on the first level boarding platforms at Chicago Union Station, a 112 million dollar, 30-month project. -
Maryland Has New Penn Line Times on November 16
Nov 10, 26 12:07 PM
MARC Penn Line schedules change on November 16, 2026, after Amtrak trains return to regular schedules. Weekend southbound trains are unchanged. -
Building Contract for Metrolink Sidings Goes to Granite
Nov 10, 26 12:00 PM
Granite says Metrolink awarded a 51.5 million dollar SCORE contract for sidings near downtown Los Angeles and in Rancho Cucamonga. -
EMD "F2" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Nov 10, 26 12:22 AM
EMD F2, the 1,350-horsepower bridge between the FT and the F3. 104 locomotives, July through November 1946. Spotting features, specifications, and the production roster. -
Southern Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 10, 26 12:08 AM
Southern Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, Texas and New Orleans numbers, and the 1965 renumbering. Alco, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Krauss-Ma… -
Southern Pacific Steam Roster: Post 1900
Nov 09, 26 11:56 PM
Southern Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Pacific Lines, Texas and Louisiana Lines, cab-forwards, the GS 4-8-4s, and five narrow-gauge Ten-Wheelers. The quantity column counts the rows as p… -
Canal Street Yard Assessment Stays Open Through December 7
Nov 09, 26 01:07 PM
The FRA signed the Canal Street Yard environmental assessment on November 6, 2026. Public inspection runs through December 7, and meeting dates are not confirmed. -
NS Legacy Cab-Signal Comments Are Due November 9
Nov 09, 26 01:05 PM
The FRA must receive comments by November 9, 2026, on a Norfolk Southern plan to drop legacy cab signals on 14 line segments and rely on positive train control. -
Elimination Grant of $27.8 Million Reaches Scott Road in Allen County
Nov 09, 26 12:53 PM
Allen County received $27,878,116, also stated as $27.8 million, to design and build a grade separation where Scott Road crosses Norfolk Southern.
