MLW RSC-24
Encyclopedia
The MLW RSC-24 was a type of diesel-electric locomotive built by Montreal Locomotive Works
for use on Canadian National Railway
(CN).
Only four RSC-24's were built — all in 1959 — and were numbered 1800–1803 by CN. The locomotives were conceived by MLW as a way to use the 12-cylinder 244 diesel engines removed from 4 MLW FPA-2
s which were receiving the more-capable Alco 251 engine (making them similar to the MLW FPA-4 locomotive).
The model 244 diesel engine used in the RSC-24 program saw their horsepower derated to 1400 hp. In order to make the locomotive suitable for weight restricted light rail branch lines, MLW built the locomotives using a switcher frame as a start, resulting in the "squashed" appearance of a road switcher
. This was largely the result of a very short rear hood housing the electrical cabinet, whereas electrical cabinets were normally located in the long hood on most road switcher designs. To spread the weight of the locomotive over the rail surface, MLW designed the RSC-24 using A1A-A1A trucks (2 powered axles, 1 unpowered axle). This resulted in less traction, hence the need to derate the horsepower to avoid wheel slippage.
The RSC-24 was a one-of-a-kind diesel locomotive design and CN used these unique units to replace 2-6-0
or 4-6-0
steam locomotives on light rail branch lines in eastern Canada. One unit was wrecked in an accident on the Gaspe Peninsula
, however the remaining three units found their way to the South Shore
of Nova Scotia
toward the end of their career by the late 1960s and their domain extended throughout CN's former Halifax and Southwestern Railway
.
The troublesome model 244 diesel engine plagued the units throughout their lifespan and they were retired in the mid-1970s when CN also scrapped its MLW RSC-13 fleet; the A1A trucks of the RSC-13 and RSC-24 fleets were used by CN to retruck several dozen MLW RS-18
s to become MLW RSC-14
s.
Montreal Locomotive Works
Montreal Locomotive Works was a Canadian railway locomotive manufacturer which existed under several names from 1883–1985, producing both steam and diesel locomotives. For a number of years it was a subsidiary of the American Locomotive Company...
for use on Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
(CN).
Only four RSC-24's were built — all in 1959 — and were numbered 1800–1803 by CN. The locomotives were conceived by MLW as a way to use the 12-cylinder 244 diesel engines removed from 4 MLW FPA-2
ALCO FA
The ALCO FA was a family of B-B diesel locomotives designed to haul freight trains. The locomotives were built by a partnership of ALCO and GE in Schenectady, New York, between January 1946 and May 1959. They were of a cab unit design, and both cab-equipped lead FA and cabless booster FB models...
s which were receiving the more-capable Alco 251 engine (making them similar to the MLW FPA-4 locomotive).
The model 244 diesel engine used in the RSC-24 program saw their horsepower derated to 1400 hp. In order to make the locomotive suitable for weight restricted light rail branch lines, MLW built the locomotives using a switcher frame as a start, resulting in the "squashed" appearance of a road switcher
Road switcher
A road switcher is a type of railroad locomotive used for delivering or picking up cars outside of a railroad yard. Since the road switcher must work some distance away from a yard, it needs to be able to operate at road speeds, it must also have high-visibility while it is switching, and it must...
. This was largely the result of a very short rear hood housing the electrical cabinet, whereas electrical cabinets were normally located in the long hood on most road switcher designs. To spread the weight of the locomotive over the rail surface, MLW designed the RSC-24 using A1A-A1A trucks (2 powered axles, 1 unpowered axle). This resulted in less traction, hence the need to derate the horsepower to avoid wheel slippage.
The RSC-24 was a one-of-a-kind diesel locomotive design and CN used these unique units to replace 2-6-0
2-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This arrangement is commonly called a Mogul...
or 4-6-0
4-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
steam locomotives on light rail branch lines in eastern Canada. One unit was wrecked in an accident on the Gaspe Peninsula
Gaspé Peninsula
The Gaspésie , or Gaspé Peninsula or the Gaspé, is a peninsula along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, extending into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
, however the remaining three units found their way to the South Shore
South Shore (Nova Scotia)
The South Shore is a region of Nova Scotia, Canada. Although it has no formal identity and is variously defined by geographic, county and other political boundaries, it is generally understood as the Atlantic coast running southwest from Halifax Harbour to the end of Shelburne County...
of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
toward the end of their career by the late 1960s and their domain extended throughout CN's former Halifax and Southwestern Railway
Halifax and Southwestern Railway
The Halifax and Southwestern Railway was a historic Canadian railway operating in the province of Nova Scotia. The H&SW was created in spring 1901 when William Mackenzie and Donald Mann approached the provincial government with plans to finish the abortive plans for a railway from Halifax to...
.
The troublesome model 244 diesel engine plagued the units throughout their lifespan and they were retired in the mid-1970s when CN also scrapped its MLW RSC-13 fleet; the A1A trucks of the RSC-13 and RSC-24 fleets were used by CN to retruck several dozen MLW RS-18
MLW RS-18
The MLW RS-18 was an 1800 hp diesel-electric locomotive built by Montreal Locomotive Works between December 1956 and August 1968...
s to become MLW RSC-14
MLW RSC-14
The MLW RSC-14 was a diesel-electric locomotive rebuilt by Canadian National Railway from locomotives originally supplied by Montreal Locomotive Works.These locomotives began life as MLW RS-18s for the Canadian National Railway...
s.