Who Made This Engine? Alco?

Looks like an Alco MRS-series unit built for the military.

Don, we had a very similar loco here in Australia, an Alco DL531 known as a 48 class.

Here's the Wiki reference. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N..._48_class_locomotive

Piggybacking on Mike's answer, the locomotive was built for USATC service by ALCo under contract for GE. The unit's official designation is E1670 which represents its specification number. The E1670 is often referred to as the ALCo MRS-1 which is technically not correct. The MRS designation - "Military Road Switcher" - was used by EMD to describe its somewhat similar model. In official documentation, even though the units were physically built by ALCo, General Electric is the builder of record. 

 

Initially, 13 units each were built by GE/ALCo and EMD. Following testing, an order was placed with GE for a further 70 units so GE/ALCo production exceeded that of EMD. The locomotives were built with trucks designed to be adjustable for differing track gauges and dimensions of a reduced loading gauge, enabling them to be dispatched worldwide in the event of war. A number of units remain extant and in shortline/tourist train service.

 

Here's a view of the long hood end of the E1670:

      

 

I hope this helps.

 

Bob

Thanks guys. Don

I agree with Mike  MRS-1

 

 

I've wondered about the multi-gauge capability on those units; whether it required changing out the entire wheelsets with traction motors?

Movie clip.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WszE4_hGZpk

Here is an example of the version built by EMD in its post USATC career:

 

 

The EMD model is the unit which can be correctly referred to as the MRS-1 as evidenced by the cover of the locomotive's operating manual:

 

 

The MRS-1 designation was erroneously attached to the GE unit built by ALCo as well within the enthusiast community. As shown by the Wikipedia page linked by another poster above, the error has been perpetuated to the present day.

 

Bob 

Apparently 1718 one was of the 7 EMD's, Alaska had, the rest were Alcos.

Alaska Alco MRS-1's

 

They were all called MRS-1's according to ARR rail history.

The first one (black) was owned by the Navy. I'm guessing it was at the Concord Ca. Navy weapons station. I remember seeing them from a distance and thinking they were Trainmasters. This one is in Northern California. Don

Here's another USN unit. This one's pictured in yellow livery:

 

 

These might make nice O scale models.

 

Bob