ALCO RS-11

The first RS-11s were produced by Alco in early 1956. This locomotive, classified by Alco as model DL-701, was their replacement for the very popular RS-3 road-switcher. Featuring a V-12, 1,800hp 251B diesel engine, the RS-11 was Alco’s answer to EMD’s very successful GP9. The turbocharged RS-11 accelerated faster, had a higher tractive effort rating and typically used less fuel than the competition. It was also quite versatile and could be found in heavy haul freight as well as passenger service.

The largest owner of RS-11s was Norfolk & Western, which purchased a total of 99 units (an additional 35 were added to the fleet after the merger with Nickel Plate). Other major purchasers included Northern Pacific, Pennsylvania and Southern Pacific, all of whom placed repeat orders. With approximately 426 units built for the US and Mexico over 8 years of production, the RS-11 was successful for Alco in that it provided ongoing competition for EMD’s popular road-switchers. A few examples of this model are still in service today and can be found working for various shortlines in the US.

Maine Central

Maine Central RS11 No. 801 at Bangor, Maine, on 15 July 1975. © M. J. Batutis
Maine Central RS11 at Calais, Maine, July 1981. MEC rostered just two RS11s. © Michael Shufelt
Maine Central RS11 No. 801 at Bangor, Maine, on 6 August 1983. © Michael Spearing, courtesy of the Don Ross Collection
ALCO RS11s 802 and 801 stand with ALCO S4 No. 317 at the engine facility in Calais, Maine, on 2 September 1968. All three wear Maine Central’s classic Pine Green with gold lettering. © Barry Lennon
Former Portland Terminal No. 1082, to Maine Central as 802 in November 1956, seen at Waterville. © Michael Shufelt
Maine Central EMD GP7 No. 585 and ALCO RS11 No. 802 on train VB-2 at Olamon, Maine, on 6 October 1979, the only stretch between Lincoln and Milford where the tracks run beside US Route 2. © Dwight Mitchell
Maine Central RS11s 801 and 802 work a string of tank cars in the yard at Bucksport on 9 May 1981. Both units wear the classic Harvest Gold scheme during their final years on home rails. © Chuck Schwesinger
Both of Maine Central’s RS11s together at Bangor Yard, Bangor, Maine, May 1982. © Michael Shufelt
Maine Central RS11 No. 802 stands at East Binghamton Yard on the Delaware & Hudson in September 1985, still wearing the Harvest Gold of Maine Central. © Doug Lilly
Maine Central RS11 No. 802 on the Delaware & Hudson at BD, Binghamton, New York, 15 September 1985, with D&H caboose No. 35808 prominent. © Rich Taylor
Maine Central RS11 No. 802 on the Delaware & Hudson at BD, Binghamton, New York, 15 September 1985. © Rich Taylor

Class DRS-1F

No.BuiltSerialLiveriesNotesPhotographsModelling
801Jun 195681916Pine Green with Yellow Stripes until at least Jan 1976. Harvest Gold by March 1978 RRPASeptember 2005 Atlas Maine Central Pine Green Standard 42616, DCC 42706. June 2007 Atlas Maine Central Harvest Gold Standard ***42647, DCC 42734***.
80281917Pine Green with Yellow Stripes until at least Jul 1976. Harvest Gold by June 1979 until at least April 1985.Purchased as Portland Terminal 1082, to Maine Central Nov 1956. Retired Feb 1988; to Midwest Steel & Alloy 14th Mar, scrapped Sep 1989.RRPASeptember 2005 Atlas Maine Central Pine Green Standard 42617, DCC 42707. June 2007 Atlas Maine Central Harvest Gold Standard 42648, DCC 42735.

Maine Coast

Maine Central Harvest Yellow with Pine Green roof.

No.NameNotesPhotographs
367City of RocklandNorfolk & Western unit was later owned by Central Vermont and eventually was acquired by Maine Coast.RRPA

Portland Terminal

No.BuiltSerial No.NotesPhotographs
1082Jun 195681917Transferred to Maine Central 802 Nov 1956 

Modelling

Here are some details worth considering when refining an N scale RS11. The list focuses on features seen on the Maine Central units (801–802), which were equipped with dynamic brakes and screened carbody filters below the brake blister.

  • Add sand hoses to each wheelset.
  • Fit grab irons above the number boards.
  • Include an axle generator on one truck.
  • Represent truck inspection lights
  • Omit the roof grab irons, as the Maine Central units lacked them.
  • Replace the handrails with finer etched or wire versions if possible.
  • Check that the carbody filters are of the screened type, correct for the prototype.
  • whip antenna

More Information

  • Melvin, George F. Maine Central in Color Volume 3. Morning Sun Books, 2008, p.11.
  • Robertson, E. B. (1978). Maine Central Diesel Locomotives. Westbrook, USA: Edwin B. Robertson, pp. 66-69.