my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Southern Pacific DH-643

9800 - 9802

3 units delivered

Delivered in 1964 this was Alco's US response to the German Krauss Maffei's ML-4000 diesel-hydraulics.

A similar mechanical setup to the KM's; in that it was a two engined beast driving two hydraulic torque convertors to each truck.

Unlike the KM's, which were built in metric dimensions and with German parts; the Alco used mostly all American components so was familiar to shop forces unlike the KM's which were serviced by many German fitters employed by SP from Germany and with metric tools...

Not the most successful of designs, only three were ever built for SP and they only lasted 8 years (1972) before being vacated and scrapped.

References:

• Mainline Modeler Sep. 1985 page 66 - History, plans and photo's.
• Southern Pacific Historic Diesels, Volume 2, Diesel-Hydraulic Locomotives - by Joe Strapac.
• SP Motive Power Annual 1968 - 69 by Joe Strapac, Page 1 - The Era of the Hydros.
• The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide Page ALCo-265 has the same photo.
• SP Historic Diesels Vol.8 Also Roadswitchers by Joe Strapac