The ALCO RSC-3 was a

diesel-electric locomotive A diesel locomotive is a type of railway locomotive in which the power source is a diesel engine. Several types of diesel locomotives have been developed, differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is conveyed to the driving whee ...

of the

road switcher A road switcher locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive designed to both haul railroad car, railcars in mainline service and Shunting (rail), shunt them in railroad yards. Both type and term are North American in origin, although similar t ...

type rated at , that rode on three-axle

trucks A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction ...

, having an

A1A-A1A The AAR wheel arrangement system is a method of classifying locomotive A locomotive is a rail transport, rail vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. Traditionally, locomotives pulled trains from the front. However, Push–pu ...

wheel arrangement. Used in much the same manner as its four-axle counterpart, the

ALCO RS-3 The ALCO RS-3 is a , B-B diesel-electric locomotive manufactured from May 1950 to August 1956 by American Locomotive Company (ALCO) and its subsidiary Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW). A total of 1,418 were produced: 1,272 for American railro ...

, though the

axle load The axle load of a wheeled vehicle is the total weight bearing on the roadway for all wheels connected to a given axle. Axle load is an important design consideration in the engineering of roadways and railways, as both are designed to tolerate a m ...

was spread out for operation on light rail such as are found on

branch line A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line. Branch lines may serve one or more industries, or a city or town not located ...

s. This locomotive had much better success as an export unit than in the domestic market.

Original owners

Locomotives built by Alco

Locomotives built by Montreal Locomotive Works

Preserved

This list is incomplete. Please help expand it. ALCO RSC3 7653 IRON

Australia * 4001 Preserved at the NSWRTM Thirlmere * 4002 Preserved at the PRHS Western Australia * 4006 On static display Wickham WA Brazil * 7653 operating in Supervia Canada * PGE 561 operating in Squamish at the

West Coast Railway Heritage Park The West Coast Railway Association (WCRA) is a non-profit society founded in 1961. Dedicated to preserving British Columbia's railway heritage, they operate the Railway Museum of British Columbia (formerly West Coast Railway Heritage Park) and ...

Portugal * 1525 operating in SOMAFEL

References

External links