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ALCO C855
UP 60, an ALCO C855 |
| Power type |
Diesel-electric |
| Builder |
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) |
| Serial number |
84730–84731 (A units), 84732 (B unit) |
| Model |
C855 |
| Total production |
3 (two A units, one B unit) Note: the stats given in this table pertain to cab unit) |
| Gauge |
4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) |
| Length |
86 ft (26.2 m) |
| Locomotive weight |
551,400 lb (250.1 t) |
| Fuel capacity |
6,000 US gal (23,000 l/5,000 imp gal) |
| Prime mover |
Alco 251C, 2 off |
| Cylinders |
V16, 2 off |
| Transmission |
AC alternator, DC traction motors |
| Power output |
5,500 hp (4,100 kW) |
| Career |
Union Pacific Railroad |
| Number |
60–61, 60B |
| Locale |
North America |
| Delivered |
July, 1964 |
| Disposition |
All scrapped |
The ALCO Century 855 was ALCO's most powerful diesel-electric locomotive and, at the time, the most powerful diesel locomotive ever built. Powered by a pair of ALCO's 251C diesel engines, and rated at 5500 horsepower (4.1 MW), it was ALCO's answer to the EMD DD35 and the GE U50. Only two A units and one B unit were built, all for Union Pacific Railroad, which had requested double-engined locomotives from EMD and GE in order to replace their ageing fleet of gas turbine locomotives. Poor performance led to their early retirement and eventual scrapping by February of 1972.
