Sturdy Alco-GE diesel-electric locomotives are precision built, and will do any job within their capacity quickly and dependably. Like any precision tool, however, they work only as expertly as the hand at the controls, and retain their keen edge longer when not abused. Therefore, the performance of a diesel-electric depends to a large measure upon intelligent handling and good care.
By applying the rules, tips, and information given in this manual, you can enhance the performance and prolong the life of your diesel-electric locomotive. Moreover, you will experience the satisfaction and recognition associated with a job well done.
| Subject | Page | |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance Diagrams--Haulage Capacity | 6-8 | |
| How a Diesel-Electric Functions | 9 | |
| Controls at Engineman's Position | 10-11 | |
| Other Operating Control | 12-15 | |
| How to Operate Your Diesel Electric | 16-17 | |
| Throttle Operation and Controller Positions | 18-19 | |
| Operating Tips | 20-21 | |
| Operating Gages and Automatic Safeguards | 22-23 | |
| Location of Fuses | 24-25 | |
| Diesel Engine | 26-27 | |
| Fuel-oil System | 28-29 | |
| Lubricating-oil System | 30-31 | |
| Cooling-water System | 32-33 | |
| Pressure-air System | 34-35 | 34-35 |
| Controls and Operation of Multiple-unit Locomotives | 36-39 | |
| Unusual Operating Conditions | 40-47 |
| 115 Tons of Drivers | One GT-553 Generator; Four GE-731 Motors
| 60 MPH Maximum Speed | 75:16 Gear Ratio; 40-in. Wheels
| |
| Speed MPH | Tractive Effort | Time Limit | GRADE - COMPENSATED FOR CURVATURE | ||||||
| Level | 0.5% | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 3.0% | |||
| 5.0 | 50,000 | 4 min. | --- | 3325 | 1925 | 1335 | 1010 | 805 | 660 |
| 7.5 | 36,500 | 90 min. | --- | 2385 | 1370 | 940 | 705 | 555 | 450 |
| 10.0 | 28,000 | 90 min. | 5765 | 1790 | 1020 | 695 | 514 | 400 | 320 |
| 15.0 | 19,800 | Cont. | 3805 | 1210 | 680 | 455 | 328 | 248 | 190 |
| 20.0 | 15,000 | Cont. | 2640 | 864 | 480 | 310 | 218 | 158 | 115 |
| 25.0 | 12,000 | Cont. | 1905 | 644 | 350 | 220 | 149 | 100 | 69 |
| 30.0 | 10,000 | Cont. | 1435 | 495 | 266 | 160 | 100 | 63 | --- |
| 35.0 | 8,100 | Cont. | 1030 | 360 | 185 | 185 | 58 | --- | --- |
| 40.0 | 6,600 | Cont. | 730 | 255 | 120 | 59 | --- | --- | --- |
Based on Davis train resistance formulae for standard 4-axle cars with an average weight per car of 40 tons.
| 99 Tons of Drivers | One GT-552 Generator; Four GE-731 Motors
| 60 MPH Maximum Speed | 75:16 Gear Ratio; 40-in. Wheels
| |
| Speed MPH | Tractive Effort | Time Limit | GRADE - COMPENSATED FOR CURVATURE | ||||||
| Level | 0.5% | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 3.0% | |||
| 5.0 | 34,000 | 90 min. | --- | 2240 | 1290 | 888 | 667 | 526 | 429 |
| 7.5 | 24,700 | Cont. | 5200 | 1590 | 908 | 617 | 457 | 355 | 285 |
| 10.0 | 18,900 | 90 min. | 3870 | 1188 | 669 | 448 | 326 | 248 | 194 |
| 15.0 | 12,900 | Cont. | 2460 | 765 | 420 | 272 | 189 | 136 | 100 |
| 20.0 | 9,800 | Cont. | 1700 | 540 | 289 | 179 | 118 | 78 | 51 |
| 25.0 | 7,800 | Cont. | 1210 | 392 | 203 | 119 | 71 | 40 | --- |
| 30.0 | 6,350 | Cont. | 882 | 287 | 141 | 75 | --- | --- | --- |
| 35.0 | 5,100 | Cont. | 601 | 197 | 87 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 40.0 | 4,100 | Cont. | 415 | 125 | 44 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Based on Davis train resistance formulae for standard 4-axle cars with an average weight per car of 40 tons.
| 120 Tons of Drivers | One GT-553 Generator; Four GE-731 Motors
| 60 MPH Maximum Speed | 75:16 Gear Ratio; 40-in. Wheels
| |
| Speed MPH | Tractive Effort | Time Limit | GRADE - COMPENSATED FOR CURVATURE | ||||||
| Level | 0.5% | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 3.0% | |||
| 5.0 | 50,000 | 4 min. | --- | 3325 | 1925 | 1335 | 1010 | 805 | 660 |
| 7.5 | 36,500 | 90 min. | --- | 2385 | 1370 | 940 | 705 | 555 | 450 |
| 10.0 | 28,000 | 90 min. | 5765 | 1790 | 1020 | 695 | 514 | 400 | 320 |
| 15.0 | 19,800 | Cont. | 3805 | 1210 | 680 | 455 | 328 | 248 | 190 |
| 20.0 | 15,000 | Cont. | 2640 | 864 | 480 | 310 | 218 | 158 | 115 |
| 25.0 | 12,000 | Cont. | 1905 | 644 | 350 | 220 | 149 | 100 | 69 |
| 30.0 | 10,000 | Cont. | 1435 | 495 | 266 | 160 | 100 | 63 | --- |
| 35.0 | 8,100 | Cont. | 1030 | 360 | 185 | 185 | 58 | --- | --- |
| 40.0 | 6,600 | Cont. | 730 | 255 | 120 | 59 | --- | --- | --- |
| 45.0 | 5,300 | Cont. | 550 | 167 | 68 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 50.0 | 4,300 | Cont. | 334 | 100 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 60.0 | 2,900 | Cont. | 119 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Based on Davis train resistance formulae for standard 4-axle cars with an average weight per car of 40 tons.
A diesel-electric locomotive is quite simple-the engine drives the generator which produces electricity to run the motors geared to the axles. When the throttle is opened, the generator is connected to the traction motors. Power then flows to the traction motors, and the locomotive moves. As the throttle is opened wider, the engine speeds up, delivering more power to the generator and thus to the traction motors. When the throttle is wide open, the engine runs at 740 rpm. The generator automatically adjusts its electric output to the motors so as to apply the required horsepower up to maximum rating for any combination of speed and load.
| 1 - Main and Equalizing Reservoirs Air Gauge - red is main-reservoir, white is equalizing-reservoir pressure. | 9 - Brake-cylinder and Brake-pipe Air Gauge -- red is cylinder pressure, and white is pipe pressure. |
| 2 - Engine-start Switch -- cranks engine from the battery. | 10 & 11 - Switches for Gage and Dome Lights. |
| 3 - Control Switch -- energizes control circuits. | 12 - Switch for Engine-rom Lights. |
| 4 - Fuel-pump Switch -- starts fuel-oil-pump mototr. | 13 & 14 -- Number-lights and Marker-lights Switches. |
| 5, 6, 7 & 8 - Headlight switches -- for bright, first close Dim switch and then Bright switch. | 15. HeaterSwitch -- starts cab-heater motor.
16 - Wheel-slip Buzzer -- warns of wheel slipping |
Battery-switch Handle--push in to connect battery to electric circuits so that engine may be started and electric devices will operate. When pulled out, with diesel engine stopped, all electric apparatis on the locomotives is dead.
| ENGINE ROOM CONTROLS | |
|---|---|
Overspeed Trip -- automatically shuts down diesel engine if it overspeeds. Pull trip lever to stop engine in emergency. Cutout Pin -- pull out and turn downward to cut out faulty cylinder. | 
Secondary Fuel-oil Filter -- rotate handles to keep filters free from clogging. See page 21. |
Lubricating-oil Filters -- rotate handles to keep filters free from clogging. See page 21. | 
Water-level Gage -- should always show water. |
| OTHER CONTROLS Engineman's Position | |
Sander Valve and Bell Valve | 
Cab Heater -- to operate, open valves and close heater switch |
| Control Compartment | |
Ground Relay and Switch -- when switch is open, permits emergency operation with a ground in electric power circuits. | 
Primary Fuel-oil Filter -- throw handle to free filter when clogged. See page 29. |
| OTHER CONTROLS Above Platform | |
Fuel-oil Gage | 
Side-shutter Handle -- operates shutters over radiator on each side. |
| Below Platform | |
Emergency Fuel Cutoff -- shuts off fuel at tank, stops engine. | 
Water Filler Pipe |
| OTHER CONTROLS Below Platform | |
Reservoir Drain Valve -- lets off condensate from main air reservoir. | |
| Engine Room | |
Water Drain Valves -- used to drain engine cooling system. | |