The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the first diesel-hydraulic road switcher built in the United States. It had a C-C wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW).

Dec 22, 2024 · The DH643, as classed by Alco, was produced in the early fall of 1964 as the builder manufactured a set of three for Southern Pacific who, like rival Union Pacific, often tested big horsepower in an attempt to reduce the number of locomotives per train.

Feb 6, 2025 · For the DH643, Strapac quoted an “invoice weight” of 400 900 lb as well as Alco’s original design estimate of 373 000 lb. Railway Gazette (1964 October 16) said 174 long tons, say 390 000 lb. What might be considered to be the “catalogue” weight of the GE U50C was indeed 417 000 lb, as reported in Railway Age for 1969 February 24.

The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the first diesel-hydraulic road switcher built in the United States. It had a C-C wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW).

Nov 18, 2021 · Alco DH643 Boxcars and reefers comprise much of the tonnage trailing DH643 9020 at Oil Junction on the northwest side of Bakersfield, Calif., in May 1965. The “bloody nose” is still bright and clean on the eight-month-old unit.

Jan 15, 2025 · Alco published an SAE paper on the DH643, which had as its opening: “THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT of a mainline diesel-hydraulic locomotive was undertaken with the potential of greater adhesion, lower possible continuous speed than a diesel-electric for the same horsepower per axle, and lower maintenance on the transmission system.

Delivered in 1964 this was Alco's US response to the German Krauss Maffei's ML-4000 diesel-hydraulics. A similar mechanical setup to the KM's; in that it was a two engined beast driving two hydraulic torque convertors to each truck.

The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the ALCO Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company, it was also the first diesel-hydraulic road diesel unit to be built in the United States.

According to good sources, including Strapac's fantastic SP Compendium series, SP 9800 was built in Sept. 1964 by ALCo as a model C643 (DH643), builders number 3374-01, SP 9018, SP Class DF-802. In 1965 it was renumbered to SP 9150 Alco DH643, SP Class AF640-1.

May 31, 1998 · ALCo Diesel Locomotive Specification and Model Numbers ---- Diesel-Hydraulics ----Spec # Model # Notes ----- ----- ----- DH400 RHD1 Proposed; design superseded by DH401.

The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the first diesel-hydraulic road switcher built in the United States. It had a C-C wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW). Only three were built, all for Southern Pacific Railroad in 1964 (#9018 – #9020).

ALCO 4300/4000 HP CENTURY 643 ( 4360/4060 CV) DIESEL-HYDRAULIC LOCOMOTIVE Unit for main or branch-line freight service, especially suited for applications where high speed and very high continuous tractive effort are required. Available for standard gauge. Built for axle loads of 28,6 metric tons. Equipped with high-adhesion

Jul 7, 2023 · The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the first diesel-hydraulic road switcher built in the United States. It had a C-C wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW). Only three were built, all for Southern Pacific Railroad in 1964 (#9018–#9020).

This page is dedicated to SP's fleet of 3 ALCO DH643 diesel-hydraulic locomotives, the only three examples of the model ever built. Original orders: The SP purchased DH643's new as follows:

Feb 10, 2025 · The Alco DH643 is the only example of which I am aware in which the Woodward PG governor with electro-hydraulic speed control was used with the maximum of 15 engine speeds.

The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the first diesel-hydraulic road switcher built in the United States. It had a C-C wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW). Only three were built, all for Southern Pacific Railroad in 1964 (#9018–#9020).

Feb 8, 2025 · Returning to diesel-electric vs diesel-hydraulic locomotive equipment layouts, the Alco DH643 may be compared with the Alco C855: Allowing that the DH643 is roughly three-quarters of a C855, there are some similarities, perhaps more than in the BR 21, BR22 case.

Jan 22, 2009 · The DH643 had a gross rating of 4300 hp, 3600 continuous (traction). All were sold to Chrome and scrapped at Sacramento in fall 1973.

Jan 8, 2024 · The ALCO C643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twinengine dieselhydraulic locomotive, the first dieselhydraulic road unit built in the United States. It had a CC wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200kW).

The ALCO C-643DH, also known as the Century 643DH, was a twin-engine diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the first diesel-hydraulic road unit built in the United States. It had a C-C wheel arrangement and generated 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW). Only three were built, all for Southern Pacific Railroad in 1964 (#9018–#9020).