Photo courtesy of David Othen

BRITISH COLUMBIA RAILWAY ALCO C-420s
by Timothy J. Horton

The British Columbia Railway acquired two Phase 2b ALCO C-420s from the Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad in July 1972. They operated on the BCR in their original colours for a time and with their original numbers of 25 and 26 (see pages 128-129 of John Garden?s book on the BCR). The new Atlas HO Scale model of L&HR No. 25 will be completely correct for No. 25 as it arrived on the BCR.

No. 26 was repainted into BCR colours (two tone green with lightning bolt white stripe) and renumbered No. 632 in May 1973. There were few external modifications at this time. No. 25 was repainted in BCR colours (two tone green with lightning bolt) and renumbered No. 631. The new Atlas HO Scale model will be completely correct for the 632 as repainted at this time.

During the late 1970s both units received the bell and five chime airhorn above the cab windows, and additional lights on the nose. The radiator compartment and carebody filter arrangement was also modified substantially at this time, and the units were derated to 1800 horsepower. No. 632 was repainted at this time with a straight white stripe. In 1981 No. 632 became the first unit to be fitted with master controls for trials with the railway?s first slug unit.

No. 631 was the very first unit to be repainted into the railway?s red, white and blue paint scheme in February 1985. During the 1980s and 1990s both units were operated in yard service until their retirement in December 2001. At that time they were the last Alco-powered motive power on what at one time had been an exclusive Alco/MLW roster.

Both units continue in service today on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, which has a large collection of second-hand ALCOC-420s on its roster.

Caption re pecture

(BCR No. 632 at Squamish in July 1973 at time of repainting? no major modifications made at this time)

ALCo built a total of 131 Century 420 locomotives between 1963 and 1969, when the builder ceased all new locomotive production.
Powered by a 12-cylinder, turbocharged, 2,000-hp 251-series prime mover, the C420?s direct competitor in 1963 was the EMD GP18. In fact, EMD did not offer a 12-cylinder, 2,000-hp prime mover until the GP39 model was produced in 1969. The shorter 12-cylinder engine block allowed the C420 to have its distinctive set-back cab and extended short hood.

The first road to purchase the C420 was the Lehigh & Hudson River, with its first two units built in 1963. The largest fleet was purchased by the Long Island Railroad, with 30 units built between 1963 and 1968. All were equipped with a high short hood which housed a steam generator for passenger service. Over time, the largest fleet of C420s was amassed by the Louisville & Nashville. While only 26 units were purchased new, their total fleet grew to well over 60 units through mergers and acquisitions. The C420 can still be found in daily service today in the US. Currently the largest fleet of C420s is operated by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.

Phase 2A

Features:

Flat or "step" pilots used where appropriate
Long hood with or without dynamic brake detail used where appropriate
3,100 gallon fuel tank
Separately-applied coupler cut levers
Painted safety rails
Dual flywheels
Directional lighting
Blackened metal wheels
Scale Speed motor
Factory installed AccuMate magnetic couplers

AccuMate couplers are made under license from AccuRail, Inc.