ALCO RS-32

ALCO RS-32
Southern Pacific 7302 in February 1966
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderALCO
ModelRS-32, specification DL-721
Build dateJune 1961 - June 1962
Total produced35
Specifications
Configuration:
  AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Prime moverALCO 12-251C
CylindersV12
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
TransmissionElectric
Performance figures
Power output2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
Career
LocaleUnited States

Designated as a "DL721" by ALCO, the 2,000 hp RS-32 was intended to compete with EMD's GP20 and GE's U25B locomotives. Only 35 units were produced, with 25 units ordered by New York Central in 1961 and 10 units by Southern Pacific in 1962. New York Central’s RS-32s were commonly seen in both road and local freight assignments. Southern Pacific's units were initially used in road service, but later settled into local freight service in San Francisco's "commute" territory. Here they were sometimes called upon to rescue stalled commuter trains. They later migrated across the system, ending their SP careers in Texas during the late 1970s with various other ALCo models.