Horsepower plus. Billed in 1963 as “the most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive ever built in the United States,” the C-628 boasted 2,750 hp. This eclipsed the Electro-Motive SD24, Fairbanks-Morse’s H-24-66 Train Master, and General Electric’s U25-series locomotives.
The six-axle C-628 is essentially an upgraded RS-15, featuring a revised 251 diesel engine and space behind the cab to accommodate a steam generator. There’s also just enough nose to offer some frontal collision protection for the crew.
Alco produced more than 180 units between 1963 and 1968; only the units produced for Mexico were fitted with steam generators for passenger service. Five C-628s were shipped to Western Australia to haul ore for Hamersley Iron.
The clean lines of the rather Spartan carbody are reflected in the model. However, Atlas O includes excellent individually applied metal grab irons, a brake chain on the left side of the front truck, and a speed recorder cable on the engineer’s side.
The Alco trimount trucks are well done, with separate brake cylinders and piping. The steps have punched-through drain holes, and the metal handrail stanchions are sturdy. There are also engineer and brakeman figures in the cab.
Operating features. What would an Alco be without smoke? Atlas O has this feature covered with a smoke generator that has a fan to push a plume of smoke out the exhaust stack. You can also turn it off with a switch under the cab after you’ve filled the room with simulated diesel fumes.
Another neat feature is the operating green and white classification and red marker lights on the cab above the number boards. The different colored lights can be switched to display the proper prototype indications. The locomotive also has directional headlights.
The C-628’s internal printed-circuit board includes soldering tabs for installation of a Digital Command Control (DCC) plug and color-coded wiring harness that’s included. A heavy duty (5- to 6-amp) decoder is required for this model.
With its 22.4 ounces of drawbar pull, this locomotive will haul 67 free-rolling freight cars on straight, level track. Atlas O recommends minimum 40½”-radius curves, but I test ran our sample on curves as tight as 36″ radius without much trouble. However, it looks more- realistic on the larger curves.
Fans of Alco locomotives, and big engines in general, are going to like this model. Its all-business styling will look fantastic hauling a long string of freight cars. My only problem with the SP model is that it’s far too clean!
Price: DC version $439.95; unpowered units, $229.95
Manufacturer
Atlas O
378 Florence Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlaso.com
Description: Ready-to-run diesel locomotive
Road names: (two road numbers each): Atlantic Coast
Line, Delaware & Hudson,
Lehigh Valley, Louisville &
Nashville, Southern Pacific,
and undecorated
Authentic painting and lettering
Die-cast Alco trimount trucks,
chassis, fuel tank, and pilots
Directional LED headlights
Dual flywheel-equipped motors
Factory-applied individual details
Length: 14½”
Metal handrails and stanchions
Minimum radius: 40½”
Nickel-silver RP-25 wheels
(mounted in gauge)
Operating classification and marker lights
Operating diesel exhaust
PC board with DCC terminals
Scale magnetic knuckle couplers
(correct height)
Specific-railroad body details
Weight: 5 pounds, 9 ounces
