ALCO RSC-3: The First Diesel Locomotives of the Panama Railroad

The ALCO RSC-3 was a diesel-electric road switcher locomotive with a power output of 1,600 horsepower (1,200 kW), using three-axle bogies in an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. It was used similarly to its four-axle counterpart, the ALCO RS-3, although the axle load was distributed to allow operation on lighter track, such as those found on branch lines. This locomotive was far more successful as an export unit than in the domestic market. After retiring its steam locomotives, the Panama Railroad acquired three special Alco RSC-3 locomotives in December 1951, built to accommodate the wider-than-standard gauge used in Panama.

They were numbered 901-902-903 and entered service in 1952. These locomotives served in countless passenger and freight runs between Panama and Colón until the cessation of operations in 1996. In the last photo, locomotive 901 can be seen being unloaded from the SS Ancón.