Alco C415 failure was not what the famed locomotive maker had in mind in the 1960s.
At the time, Alco saw a need to revamp its switcher offerings and came up with the offset centercab configuration C415, which launched as a demonstrator in 1966. The arrangement separated the prime mover from the radiator on different ends, causing the need for more wiring and piping and a longer driveshaft, compared with competing (and prior) models.
Alco marketed the C415 as a jack-of-all-trades unit, being equally capable of handling branchline, heavy transfer, yard switching, or mainline duties. It was offered with various options to suit each job.
Alco C415 failure was a salesman’s dream
The C415 was offered with three truck options: two versions of the common AAR Type-B truck and Alco’s own distinctive “Hi-Ad” truck, better known for its use on the C430 and, in a six-wheel configuration, C630 and C636. The Hi-Ad trucks, with their prominent springs, were intended to improve adhesion compared with previous designs.
Most notably, the C415 could be built with one of three cab configurations: low at 14, feet 6 inches; mid-height at 15 feet, 2 inches; or high at 16 feet, 4 inches. The high cab was promoted as best visibility for switching and the low cab was intended for industrial customers with restricted clearances.
To support use as a road locomotive, the model was offered with an optional 1,900-gallon fuel tank, almost double in size from the standard 1,000-gallon tank.
C415 production
Rock Island had 10 with mid-height cabs and Type-B trucks that tended to stay around the Chicago area. Southern Pacific also had 10, with high cabs and Type-B trucks, which worked around Southern California. Finally, Spokane, Portland & Seattle ordered two with mid-height cabs and Hi-Ad trucks.
Pittsburgh-area steel road Monongahela Connecting ordered the only unit with a low cab. Coincidentally, both the “MonCon” and Northwest logging road Columbia & Cowlitz numbered their single units 701. A single unit was also sold to Chehalis Western, another Northwest logging road, with a high cab and Hi-Ad trucks.
In the end, Alco sold just 26 C415s before ending all diesel locomotive production in 1969. That compares poorly with EMD’s SW1500, which was introduced the same year, sold more than 808 units through 1974. That disparity qualifies the C415 for the “diesel that didn’t” moniker.
C415 diesel locomotive roster
CLC 701, CWWR 684, MCRR 701, RI 415-424, SP 2400-2409, SPS 100-101; additionally, Hamersley Iron in Australia purchased the original demonstrator, renumbering it 1000.
I personally believe that the 415’s were about 15 years ahead of their time. I had run run three different 415’s during my time at the BJRY in Burlington Iowa, and I found them to be good working motors. Had ALCO lasted until the short line times they may have cleaned up that market.
My favorite was the old Columbia & Cowlitz 701 which made it’s way to the Mount Hood Railroad before heading to Iowa. The only major issues with this motor was after about 15 years in service with us it started to have parts wear out. It had the turbo bearing replaced twice in ten years and I hear the water pump is out now.
I retired in Aug of 2019, but I still stop by monthly to leave ice cream in the freezer. The old SP 2407 without a doubt was the best puller of the three. When it arrived in Burlington there were references to it being wired differently at the factory. It’s still in daily service in Quincey Illinois. The SP 2409 is being parted out in Quincy, and the 701 is in Burlington awaiting parts.
The motor and generator sets were used in small tow boat and parts are somewhat available, or so I was told.
I ran the BJRY’s C-415 for twenty years and I think they were the best locomotives ever. I did however get a cab ride in 1969, in the CRIP 751, another rare one and I enjoyed that also.
SP’s 10 C415s hung out at City of Industry when I was there. Good pullers, but needed lots of radiator water and governor oil.
The driveshaft to the compressor did prove troublesome one day. Drove by the engine spur at Industry, and one of the 415s was making a dreadful racket. I shut it down, and looked … the shaft had come loose, and was flopping around in the compressor hood!
Interesting. I just bought an H.O. version in Rock Isl. paint which I don’t model. Found the design unique and was hoping the Pennsylvania may have experimented with it justifying a repaint. Oh well.
In the often-unpredictable world of railroad locomotives, I have to admire Alco for at least trying something different to meet the competitive challenges. That they offered a variety of trucks and cab heights with this 1500 h.p. model were pluses for the locomotive buyers. Of course, from the railfans’ point-of-view, the looks of this carbody among so many lookalike locomotives from some other builders, causes one to sit up and take notice.