ALCO 241

The ALCO 241 was a diesel prime mover built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO). It was the company's first diesel engine designed to power road locomotives, with a higher output and operating speed than previous designs.

Design work on the 241, began in 1940, initially led by Ralph Miller, who was shortly thereafter replaced by Paul Vaughan. With work delayed by the onset of World War II, the first test engine, a small two-cylinder model, was not tested until late 1943, with larger 12 and 16 cylinder versions under construction at the time. During the design process, engineers concluded that the company's existing turbocharger of choice, a Buchi product, did not have the capacity to allow the engine to reach the desired horsepower output. As a result, in mid-1943, work began with General Electric to incorporate that company's turbocharger design in the 241 engine. The first tests of a 241 engine with the GE turbo were conducted on the 12-cylinder test engine in March, 1944.

American Locomotive Company

The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO, ALCo or Alco, designed, built and sold steam locomotives, diesel-electric locomotives, diesel engines and generators, specialized forgings, high quality steel, armed tanks and automobiles and produced nuclear energy. The American Locomotive Company was formed in 1901 by the merger of Schenectady Locomotive Engine Manufactory of Schenectady, New York with seven smaller locomotive manufacturers.

The American Locomotive Automobile Company subsidiary designed and manufactured automobiles under the Alco brand from 1905-1913 and produced nuclear energy from 1954-1962. The company changed its name to Alco Products, Incorporated in 1955. In 1964 the Worthington Corporation acquired the company. The company became defunct in 1969.

Foundation and early history

The company was created in 1901 from the merger of seven smaller locomotive manufacturers with Schenectady Locomotive Engine Manufactory of Schenectady, New York:

Alco (disambiguation)

Alco typically refers to the American Locomotive Company, a defunct locomotive manufacturer.

Alco may also refer to:

Companies

Places

Other uses

See also

ALCO 251

The Alco 251 is a 4-stroke diesel engine that was developed by the American Locomotive Company to replace the 244 and 539 engines. The 251 was developed to be used in diesel locomotives, as a marine power plant in ships and as a stationary power generator.

Development

Model 251 engine design was initiated in 1949, and like the 244 engine it would have a bore (cylinder diameter) of 9 inches (229 mm), and a stroke of 10.5 inches (267 mm). Its designation combines Alco's identifier for that bore and stroke - 2 - with the year its design was approved for laboratory testing - 1951. Chief Engineer of Diesel Engine Design, Paul Vaughan, designed the 251 to improve upon the major weaknesses of the 244. A wet block design was used to address severe thermal differences which existed in the dry block 244. The welded block and base was kept, as was the four-point mounting. New in the 251 was an intercooler for the turbocharger, which minimized temperature differentials but also benefitted performance. Many small improvements were made to the crankshaft, bearings, pistons, injectors and camshafts.