First off the production line, was the RS-1, it was just a elongated, S-1,2,3,4 type, with road trucks, and a longer frame for road service. Notice compaired to the RS2-/3, comming up it is square, in shape. Here is a RS-1
Photo thanks to Mike Dancer
Next up in the books, was the FA-1 (1500 HP). Its looks are pretty unique, altough looking somewhat like a F unit from EMD, it is more square, looking. There were also FB-1's too. A FA-1.
The next units to be produced by Alco, was the RS-2's. They look a lot like the RS-1, except notice that they are more rounded. Also they did not have 2000 HP, they were only 1500 HP. Here is a RS-2
Collection of Tim Huemmer
Then came along the RS-3, having 1600 HP. The distingushing feature of the RS-3, from the RS-2, is the battery box, in front of the cab, on the walkway. Here is a RS-3.
Continuing the progresson, is the FA-2 (also 1600 HP) and FB-2. The spotting feature in this from the FA-1, is in the FA-2's radiator shutters, and cooling fan. The FA-1, had them all the way at the end of the long hood, the Fa-2's, are in from the end about 6 to 8 feet. Here is a FA-2.
Next up in the Alco/MLW line, is a Canadian only model, the RS-10, it it the Canadian verson, of the RS-2. Notice that in the top corners of the hoods, there is no notch. This is common to all MLW products. Here is a RS-10
Collection of Tim Darnell
Up next was the RS-11. You can tell the diffrence from anything else, by the fact that it now has it's hoods, (long and short) as tall as the cab. Also as noted in the RS-10, the Alco locos have the notches in the corner of the hoods. They were also built in a low nose verson to. A RS-11.
Collection of Juan Viladrosa
Up next is another MLW, Canadian only unit, the RS-18 (1800 HP). These were the north of the boarder, versons of the US produced RS-11's, & RS-36's. The RS-18's were identical to the RS-10's. Once again notice the fact that the Canadian versons had no notches in the corners.
Continuing with the MLW units, up next in the books was the FPA-4 ( 1800 HP). These were exclusively Canadian units, any of these floating around in the US, are not in there orignal pait, all were owned by CN. They were offered here in the US, but none were ever produced. The diffrence between a FPA-4, and FA-2, is the fact that the rear, radiator shutters, have extra space below, almost double width. Here is a FPA-4, and FPB-4.
Collection of Joe Hughes
Then came the RS-27. The spotting feature to distingush it from a RS-11, is the fact that the car-body filters, on the top of the long hood, are no longer spaced across the hood, they are now in two groups of three, right behind the cab, and right next to and above the large radiator. Also the intercoller radiator, (witch was were the second group of car-body filters, is now) is gone. The RS-27's, have a 16 cylinder prime mover, and this is identified, by the fact that it has developed a short stubby nose. A RS-27.
Collection of Jim Matuska
Next in the line of ALCO products, is the RS-32 (2000 HP). You can see that it has it's long nose back again by vertue of it having a 12 cylinder prime mover. A RS-32.
Collection of Darryl Rule
Right behind it was the RS-36 (1800 HP). There is no diffrence in the RS-32 & RS-36.
Now is the time that Alco introduced its Century series, with the first one beeing the C-424. This loco, can be telled easily by manny things. First, is the fact that it has lost the notches in the corner of the short nose, and second is it has developed a radiator overhang on the long hood, kind of like GE units. Third, is that the radiator shutters, were replaced, by much reduced air intake system, on the rear of the long hood. Also the various car body filters, are replace by one big filter, right behind the cab. Here is a C-424.
Up next in the production line, is the C-420. You can tell the C-420, apart from the C-424, by the fact that there is no radiato overhang, on the rear of the long hood. Here is a C-420.
Collection of Joe Hughes
Next is the C425, it is distingushed from the C424's, by one thing, the little lip (broadening) of the long hood, below the radiator. Here is a C-425 (in body only, it has been deraited to 2000 HP).
Collection of Aleks
Next is the last true Alco built, before the MLW took over all operations. The C-430. The one thing that sets this unit apart from the rest, is behind the cab, on the top of the long hood, is a new air intake for the now replaced aftercooler. A C-430.
Collection of Tim Darnell
The MLW works, produced only 4 more 4 axles, its self before becomming extinct. All were based on one designe. The first, was the M420. It is told apart by a few things, first is the trucks, the M units ride, on a ZWT (Zero Weight Transfer) truck, vs the old AAR Type B. Also notice that the condenced air intake on the long shot hood has dissapeard, and also that all of the M units have the wide cab feature. In this class was M420B's, and also the M420R, that was built only for the P&W, using trade in RS-3's(hence the old style truck's). Below is a M420, folloed by a M420B, and a M420R.
Collection of Tim Darnell
Collection of Keith Belk
Next came the M424W, built only for the Mexican railways, it is basicly a C-424, in a M420 body. There is no diffrence in body. But thankfully the only place you would see these are in Mexico. ( and if you are going there to railfan, please take me). Sorry no photos.
The final 4 axle to be know as a Alco/MLW, was the HR412(2000 HP). Tis is distingushed, from the M420, by the rear radiator section, notice two large air intakes. Also no photo.
Well next time we will look to the big units, the 6 Axles.
