Unusual for an Alco-built RS11 is the underframe equipment arrangement, the location of the dynamic brake in the short hood, instead of over the oil engine, and the use of lightweight, Canadian-cast, Dofasco trucks. These are features more common to the MLW-built RS10 (1600 h.p., 12-244 engine) and RS18 (1800 h.p. 12-251 engine,) but were specified for the CN-owned Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific RS11s, most likely to keep similar types in the CN family equipped the same. While built for the DW&P, the 3612 was transferred to, and lettered for, the Central Vermont for a substantial period late in its career. The RS10, built for the Canadian Pacific and Pacific Great Eastern, was the first to offer the post-RS3 tall hood design, but the notched nose, for the number indicators, was an Alco characteristic, never adopted by Montreal Loco Motive Works. Unlike MLW, Alco did not make a 244-engined locomotive in this car body.
|
Thanks for the information James. It's always interesting to hear about the history of older rail equipment. And to Craig Wiester, although I was only aware of this unit's lineage as far back as the CV it appears you had hit it right on by guessing it was built for the DW&P! I'd encourage anyone lucky enough to get their hands on copies of The Central Vermont Railway Historical Society's Ambassador, Volume 17 Numbers 2 & 3 to read the excellent two-part article on CV's RS-11s by Alan E. Irwin. And oh yeah, (shameless plug here) one of my other RP photos of 3612 appears in the second part of said article (photo ID 213234).
~Wayne
|
|