Trains – September 2019

half-century has passed since Alco ceased domestic
production. A significant corporate milestone, but no
means did it mark the end of its locomotives on North
American rails. Not only did Alco’s erstwhile affiliate
Montreal Locomotive Works continue to build and
advance its diesel designs for a couple of decades more (before being
absorbed by Bombardier, which continued to advance Alco designs
yet more years), but the diesel products of Alco’s Schenectady, N.Y.,
plant have continued to labor across North America.

To expand upon themes I discussed in “Ma, is that a Really Old

Train?” (“Commentary,” December 2018), growing up in New Eng-

land in the 1970s and 1980s, I was intrigued by antique Alco diesels,

which I liked for their quirky appearances and great sounds. And

while not prevalent, Alcos were by no means uncommon. Nearly all

the railroads in the region still had some. As a teenager, I viewed

Alco switchers as part of the furniture — you’d find them here and

there, but rarely working, and honestly these didn’t capture my

interest as much as the road models.

Perspective on the continuing legacy of the

American Locomotive Co.

Alco: 50 years gone

14 SEPTEMBER 2019

COMMENTARY

A

Brian Solomon

[email protected]

@briansolomon.author

Blog: briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/

Podcast: TrainsMag.com

Former Central Vermont RS-11 No. 3604 became Depew, Lancaster & Western No. 1804. In January 1999, this engine works a local freight at
Batavia, N.Y. Guess which locomotive will survive longer, the venerable Alco or Conrail’s 1990s-era GE Dash 8-40CW?