MLW "S-13" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Published: August 19, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The S-13 was a Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW)-only switcher cataloged between 1958 and 1967. A distinguished member of the Alco S-series, which was adapted for the Canadian market, the S-13 was designed primarily for switching and light road service.
Under its robust exterior, the S-13 was the first to utlize a 251C prime mover, capable of generating 1,000 horsepower. This output, coupled with its B-B trucks, made the S-13 a versatile workhorse ideal for the rigorous demands of yard duties.
Throughout its production run, MLW built a total of 56 units, many of which were purchased by Canadian National. The S-13 is remembered for its role in transitioning the rail industry from steam to diesel power, serving as a testament to mid-20th-century locomotive engineering and MLW's contribution to the first-generation era.
Canadian National S-13 #8512 switches the coach yards at Spadina Street on Toronto on September 1, 1984. Doug Kroll photo.In 1959, MLW introduced the S-13 model, a switcher that marked a pivotal shift from the 539 engine to the more advanced six-cylinder inline 251C power plant.
The S-series had been one of Alco's most successful; in the U.S. the company sold some 3,177 examples within seven cataloged models (S-1 through S-6, and the T-6 transfer variant) according to John Kirkland's book, "The Diesel Builder's Volume Two: American Locomotive Company and Montreal Locomotive Works."
In addition, MLW saw 468 sales which included the S-2, S-3, S-4, S-7, S-10, S-11, S-12, and S-13. The latter was Montreal's only variant to feature the 251 engine.
This upgrade provided the S-13 with a robust 1,000 horsepower, ideal for more demanding tasks and railroads generally favored switchers with greater power.
Retaining the carbody and trucks of its predecessor, the S-12, the S-13 offered two locomotive weights and two types of electric transmissions, each identified by specific configuration numbers.
The DL-411 units, weighing approximately 233,000 pounds, featured a sophisticated electric transmission system composed of a GT740 generator and four GE731 traction motors with 75:16 gearing.
Meanwhile, the DL-411A variant, heavier at 246,000 pounds, utilized the same generator but replaced the traction motors with more powerful GE752 models and 74:18 gearing, optimizing it for heavy-duty switching, particularly hump yard operations. Both configurations could be equipped with multiple-unit (MU) control and specialized hump control options.
The inaugural S-13 units, built to the DL-411 specification, comprised a trio of locomotives for the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, numbered 1001-1003 and completed in January 1959.
Soon after, the Canadian National placed orders for 23 DL-411 units and 26 DL-411A units, delivered between February and December 1959. This extensive order saw CN’s locomotives numbered 8500-8522 and 8600-8625, respectively, with several equipped for transition control and hump yard operations.
Specifications
| Engine Builder | Dominion Engineering Works |
| Engine | 4-cycle Model 251C 6L |
| Bore & Stroke | 9" X 10 ½" |
| RPM (Maximum / Minimum) | 1000 / 375 |
| Main Generator | GE - GT740PA |
| Horsepower | 1000 |
| Gear Ratio | 75:16 |
| Speed | 60 mph |
| Trucks | 4-Wheel |
| Configuration | B-B |
| Weight | 246,000 lbs |
| Traction Motors | GE 731 (4) or GE 752 (4) |
| Tractive Effort (Starting) | 57,000 lbs at 25% |
| Tractive Effort (Continuous) | 36,000 lbs at 8 mph |
| Auxiliary Generator | GE GMG490 GY24A |
| Air Brake | Westinghouse (26L) |
| Compressor | Westinghouse (3CD) |
| Total Length | 46' 3" |
| Pilot to Pilot | 37' 3" |
| Wheel Diameter | 40" |
| Truck Wheel Base | 8' 0" |
| Height to Top Engine Hood | 12' 8" |
| Height to Top Cab Hood | 15' 2" |
| Cab Width | 10' 1" |
| Top Walkway Width | 7' 9" |
| Walkway Width | 5' 1" |
| Engine Hood Width | 9' 11" |
| Center Bolster | 22' 3" |
| Distance between Truck Centers | 30' 3" |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 50 degrees |
| Capacities | |
| Fuel Oil | 1050 Gallons |
| Lubricating Oil | 200 Gallons |
| Engine Cooling Water | 67 Gallons |
| Sand Capacity | 27 cubic feet |
Production Roster
| Serial Number | Completion Date | Owner | Road Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82548-82550 | 1/1959 | Pacific Great Eastern (1) | 1001-1003 |
| 82551 | 2/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8500 |
| 82552 | 1/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8501 |
| 82553-82557 | 2/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8502-8506 |
| 82594-82596 | 3/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8507-8509 |
| 82597-82601 | 4/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8510-8514 |
| 82602-82606 | 5/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8515-8519 |
| 82607 | 6/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8520 |
| 83139-83140 | 6/1959 | Canadian National (2) | 8521-8522 |
| 83141-83144 | 10/1959 | Canadian National (3) | 8600-8603 |
| 83172-83177 | 10/1959 | Canadian National (3) | 8604-8609 |
| 83178-83181 | 11/1959 | Canadian National (3) | 8610-8613 |
| 83202-83205 | 11/1959 | Canadian National (3) | 8614-8617 |
| 83206-83213 | 12/1959 | Canadian National (3) | 8618-8625 |
| 83214 | 9/1962 | Asbestos & Danville (2) | 50 |
| 83215 | 2/1963 | Canadian Internat. Paper (2) | 24-065 |
| 83216* | 2/1966 | Marathon Corporation (2) | 28-120 |
| M3483-01 | 7/1967 | Spruce Falls Paper & Pulp (3) | 108 |
- Specification 411 Modified: Equipped with traction motor transition.
- Specification 411: Featured GE 731 traction motors.
- Specification 411A: Featured GE 732 traction motors.
* Was instead built on serial/construction number M3435-01 before the locomotive was completed.
BC Rail S-13 #1001 (ex-Pacific Great Eastern) is seen here at the North Vancouver Yard on May 25, 1984. Doug Kroll photo.Production continued sporadically over the next few years, eventually culminating in a total of 56 S-13 units: 29 built to the DL-411 specifications and 27 to the DL-411A. These versatile and powerful switchers demonstrate MLW’s commitment to innovation and the railroad industry's transition to more efficient diesel-electric locomotives.
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