Next ALCo loco to make?

[C855B]

... and they were the major competitor during the time covered wagons ruled.

Yeah... but... they had a fraction of the operations longevity of the EMDs. The 244 was more or less notorious for reliability issues, and given the greater difficulty of major servicing through a structural carbody, FAs (and FBs) were pretty much the first thing to go on most Class I RRs when the second generation hit.

[jdcolombo]

Yeah... but... they had a fraction of the operations longevity of the EMDs. The 244 was more or less notorious for reliability issues, and given the greater difficulty of major servicing through a structural carbody, FAs (and FBs) were pretty much the first thing to go on most Class I RRs when the second generation hit.

Yeah, the 244 prime mover was a reliability problem.  But the 251 that came after was one of the industry's best - and in fact, it is STILL AVAILABLE from Fairbanks-Morse.  The frames, electrical, etc. of all the 251-engine locos might disintegrate into dust, but the 251 lives forever!

http://www.fairbanksmorse.com/engines/fm-alco-251f/

John C.

[Spikre]

 
  one slight problem with the S-2/4s are they are longer than
  the S-1/3,S-5/6, and T-6,9" or so may not be much in N,but
  it does show up in HO and larger scales.
  put a Proto Ho S-1/3 next to an Atlas S-2/4 to see the difference.
   Atlas can do a correct S-4 in N,but the others would be slightly off
  with out a new shorter frame.
   the MLW switchers also have length differences from each other .
     Spikre
       

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Yeah, the 244 prime mover was a reliability problem.  But the 251 that came after was one of the industry's best - and in fact, it is STILL AVAILABLE from Fairbanks-Morse.  The frames, electrical, etc. of all the 251-engine locos might disintegrate into dust, but the 251 lives forever!

The 251 was no prize either when it was first introduced, having as many if not more problems early on, than the 244 engines.  Thankfully they were able to recover from the teething pains, making the 251 a fine engine to have.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

C430 gets my vote but also the rebuilt RS Dewitt Jeeps.

9950! 9950!

In case anyone is wondering why...
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9950-Harrisburg-PA-4-24-1984

[Cajonpassfan]

Yeah... but... they had a fraction of the operations longevity of the EMDs. The 244 was more or less notorious for reliability issues, and given the greater difficulty of major servicing through a structural carbody, FAs (and FBs) were pretty much the first thing to go on most Class I RRs when the second generation hit.

Well, on the UP the FA/FB'1 lasted from 1947 to 1965, not a bad gig....
...and besides I need them for my '51 era, argument enough
Otto K.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

  one slight problem with the S-2/4s are they are longer than
  the S-1/3,S-5/6, and T-6,9" or so may not be much in N,but
  it does show up in HO and larger scales.

All I can say is if a modeler is so anal that they squawk over ⅛" error in a model's length for HO scale they are in the wrong hobby to begin with.  And I would bet that up until now 98% of the modelers in any scale was unaware of the foot or so difference there actually was between the various ALCO switchers but unfortunately now must wrestle over the decision to accept or reject whatever is offered.  Some models have bigger differences than that but are widely accepted despite the errors.

[nkalanaga]

The SP&S FAs lasted until summer 1972 on the BN, although I don't think any were repainted.  Some of them went on to serve as HEP/cab cars on the Long Island, so there's another road they could be painted for.

[Spades]

9950! 9950!

In case anyone is wondering why...
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9950-Harrisburg-PA-4-24-1984

Making an unattractive locomotive uglier?

[OldEastRR]

Well, on the UP the FA/FB'1 lasted from 1947 to 1965, not a bad gig....
...and besides I need them for my '51 era, argument enough
Otto K.

Hey, I'm with you guys on this ... I was the one who said we needed a DCC-ready FA before. But the impression I got from "those in the know" was that the LL FAs were good  enough, there were still lots out there, and the prototype was produced in limited numbers.
Don't offhand know how many prototype FL-9s there were, but must have been way more than FAs if they rate an N model....

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Don't offhand know how many prototype FL-9s there were, but must have been way more than FAs if they rate an N model....

Indeed...

ALCO FA1 445 units
ALCO FB1 249 units
ALCO FA2 334 units
ALCO FB2 194 units
ALCO FPA2 73 units
ALCO FPB2 33 units

EMD FL9 60 units

No contest.

[CNR5529]

Indeed...

ALCO FA1 445 units
ALCO FB1 249 units
ALCO FA2 334 units
ALCO FB2 194 units
ALCO FPA2 73 units
ALCO FPB2 33 units

EMD FL9 60 units

No contest.

Don't forget the 34 FPA4 and 12 FPB4 units that lasted into the 90s in VIA service, before going to various tourist and shortlines.

[Spikre]

 
  Jerry,
   am pointing out the S locos differences because Now Atlas likely wouldn't
  do a Wrong length S-1/3 loco model.
  20 or so years ago they did do a "Short" RSD-12,but there was lots of griping
  over the "Lost' 18 inches in HO,and they stopped offering them.
   don't recall that in N tho,but when was the last run of N RSD-12s ?
  sure its been awhile.
   wasn't too much noise about the "Wrong" RSD-4/5 trucks as the length,but
  SP did have their late RSD-12 low nose units on RSD-5 trucks.
   these units can be made easily in HO with the Trainman low nose RS-32/36s,
  but would be plenty more work in N.
   am sure most would accept a slightly long N S-1/3/5/6,T-6 ,but would it be made
  today ?
   that is the question now.
       Spikre
         

[sirenwerks]

Making an unattractive locomotive uglier?

There isn't a single ugly loco in the Alco line-up.

[Spikre]

 
   how about the HH-0900 switcher that went to NH ?
   or the DL-100/109 series locos ?
   or the DL200{?} series "Black Marias" ?
   they sure came close to the edge of Ugly.
   later the C855A&B locos and DH-643H also came close.
   with MLW the RS-24 series was sure questionable.
         Spikre