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MLW RS-18

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MLW RS-18
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderMontreal Locomotive Works
ModelRS-18
Build dateDecember 1956 to August 1968
Total produced351
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo'Bo'
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Prime moverAlco 251B
RPM range1000 (max)
Engine typeFour-stroke V12 diesel
Displacement8,016 cu in (131.36 L)
GeneratorDC generator
Traction motors4 DC traction motors
Cylinders12
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
TransmissionElectric
Loco brakeAir, optional dynamic
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Power output1,800 hp (1,340 kW)
Career
LocaleCanada

The MLW RS-18 was an 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) diesel-electric locomotive built by Montreal Locomotive Works between December 1956 and August 1968. It replaced the RS-10 in MLW's catalogue, and production totalled 351 locomotives, to eight customers.

It was the Canadian version of the ALCO RS-11, although MLW did manufacture the RS-11 for Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México.

Canadian National Railway, by far the largest buyer of the RS-18, continued to specify the long hood as the front. By contrast, while all of Canadian Pacific Railway's RS-10s were long-hood-forward, all of their RS-18s were short-hood forward. All of CN and CP's locomotives were delivered with full-height short hoods, as were the first four Pacific Great Eastern Railway, and first Roberval and Saguenay Railway unit. The remaining production was for locomotives with a low short-hood, giving the train crew much better forward vision.

Original owners

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Railway Quantity Road number Notes
Canadian National Railway 225 3615–3745, 3830–3893, 3100–3129
Canadian Pacific Railway 72 8729–8800 68 of the 72 were rebuilt in to RS18u's numbered 1800 to 1868
Cartier Railway 8 101–108
International Nickel Company of Canada 3 208-2 – 208-4
Pacific Great Eastern Railway 29 587–599, 614–626, 628–630 578–599 renumbered 601–613; to British Columbia Railway 601–630. They were rebuilt into CRS20's[1]
Quebec Iron and Titanium 1 6 Renumbered 16
Roberval and Saguenay Railway 2 24, 25
Wabush Lake Railway / Arnaud Railway 11 901–911
Totals 351

Preserved

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West Chester Railroad #1803 is an ALCO RS-18 built in 1960 by the MLW for the Canadian Pacific Railway and was numbered 8762. In 1998, it was retired from service by the Canadian Pacific Railroad and was bought by the West Chester Railroad that same year, where it currently remains in service. It was re-numbered as 1803 and repainted into a Brunswick green with a yellow frame stripe.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ CRS20 Operator's Manual (Rev. B 10/93 ed.). North Vancouver, British Columbia: BC Rail. October 1992.

Sources

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