Alco GE IR Consortium Index - MagnumMacKivler/RLCPT2 GitHub Wiki

Diesel-electric development in the US got it's start in the 1910's, with GE experiments in low-power applications for railroads with diesels of their own designs; after feeling like they had solved some of the main issues with diesel-electric theory (re: control systems), they ended experiments with powerplants of their own design and design stalled for a brief time. Until this time most diesel developments stateside were geared towards stationary and marine applications; some modification of Ingersoll-Rand powerplants allowed for a diesel design that was, for once, remotely satisfactory for the stresses of railroad use. This more or less marked the beginning of the cooperation between GE and IR. A partnership between GE and ALCo had existed prior to this time; after success of GE and modified-IR boxcabs with the demonstrator units GE had constructed, GE contacted ALCo to see if they had any interest in mass production of boxcab carbodies. Answering in the affirmative, the three companies ended up working together, thus creating the first production diesel-electric in North America.

Three models were formally offered; a 60 ton 300hp, a 100 ton 600 hp (utilizing two IR engines) and a 108 ton 750 hp unit. All three were offered with "switching" or "road" unit options - the only real difference was in the gearing of the trucks. However, the low horsepower and relatively short truck wheelbases lent the design to be relegated to switching service regardless.

📄 Denotes a "paper" engine: something that was designed and catalogued, but never built.

Road Units