The ALCO S class switchers used a Macintosh and Seymour 6 cylinder inline 539 model engine and every one I used to start cold in the barely heated single stall engine house on Monday mornings the engine temperature was right around 45 degrees F. 12 3/4 by 13 inch stroke. Idled at 275 rpm and full throttle was 740 rpm with a turbo rated at 1000 horsepower. Always started rather easily but would hunt at idle until they warmed up and would bury downtown when we hauled the 100 or so cars from the interchange which warmed her up right quick. The engine we had assigned there was built in 1941 for the New York Central System and that was back in 1973. Superb engines for yard service and local freights. There are still ALCO S class switchers from the 1940's that are still in service on tourist roads as they are not only reliable but use so little fuel that to this day no locomotive manufacturer has built a single engine locomotive of 1000 horsepower rating that can use less fuel. ALCO diesels were highly regarded as very fuel efficient engines. All ALCO engines were 4 stroke, all road engines were turbocharged but the S class 660 horsepower engines were normally aspirated meaning no turbo or blower. I have learned to like the English Electric locomotives even though there totally different from American practice in layout and controls, they do have a charm of their own.
One thing to remember, when these things were designed a cold start was anticipated to be a rare event. They weren't expected to shut down very often in service, and not expected to lie idle so long that they got deeply cold.
Having used this loco as a heavy shunter, every respect was deserved accordingly to side it into a shed during winter to avoid a cold start. I had to start one often with gas heaters in the underframe, a battery charger attached and a fresh air supply, for the smoke was sometimes too much. I missed it when it went to DRS, but fun to drive.
Diesel, the best ever fuel . How wonderful to see these being bought back to life. Sorry greenpeace, No it can't be converted to run on organic lentil juice..
With respect these engines were used in a wide range of applications from ships, trains, emergency generators (which needed to start from cold) etc. As a side note baby deltics (unrelated engine I know) used to suffer badly from cold starts: exhaust oil build up and fire etc.
Sorry that you had the problem with the graffiti. The same thing happened at Leeming Bar with a rake of Mk2's. I think the b'stard responsible got nicked & sent down for it. Bloody hope so, if the coach has to be cleaned and re-painted outside.
No it is not amazing, it is unburned fuel and particulates being sprayed into the atmosphere. The very things we are trying to stop with low emissions zones. Not to mention global warming and climate change. These locos must be put in museums or scrapped. Thus pollution can be controlled.
@@PreservationEnthusiast You are so very obvious with your channel name and your childish-obvious posting. Talking about trolling on a very simple, kindergarten level. Grow up.
@@megatwingo No, you will see as time goes by, these emissions will be clamped down on. *You* are the immature one celebrating "clag". Like smoking indoors or drink driving your actions will become socially unacceptable. I am the first of many to call you on it.
puf pof boom!!! star very bad in one then two,and then three cylinders,the rest make clag and ovbiously puff and flames(not visible in day,yes at night.
No, no, no - there goes the ice cap, your lungs and rising sea levels. The ozone layer problem is caused by CFC gasses from aerosols and old fridge coolants, not diesel fumes. A retired teacher still trying to educate!
@@nbauers This is terrible pollution causing global warming. That smoke is unburned hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. Also carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Greta Thunberg has decreed that we must stop this pollution. This loco needs to be sliced with cutting torches and melted down as scrap and recycled.
