WANTED: ALCO 6-251 engine for restoration project

[Alcoman]

I am working with a group who is in need of a RTO ALCO 6-251 engine to replace a damaged one in a switcher. While we would prefer a donation, we will consider a purchase of one if the price is good. We are prepared to pay for shipping it.

Please contact me if you have one or know of one available.

Thank you
Alcoman

[oibu]

Probably the best suggestion I have is look into Canac, they might have something out of one of the Cn S13s. Or maybe CAD in Lachine, they parted out a whole pile of S13s etc but that was like 20 years ago so who knows where any parts or spare blocks might be by now.

Otherwise probably a tough find, never was that common of an engine since only a couple of models of low-production switchers and light road units ever had them. Maybe somebody still has one out of a scrapped CP RS23 or SB s6 or something, all I could suggest is call around to current owners/operators- Canac, GWWD, OSRX, etc. and see if they have any they'd be willing to part with.

[renrut44]

Indian Railways are in the process of scrapping their YDM-4 and 4A fleet, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YDM-4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The the above statement "never was that common of an engine since only a couple of models of low-production switchers and light road units ever had them", appears to be North American centric. The 251-D was common in exports, still a few running in Australia, may be a place to look for core

DLW Varanasi built over 800 YDM-4 and similar export models for several African and Asian countries. The 251-D was used in other DLW built locos including the
WDS-5 and WDS-6, http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2d.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Parts still manufactured in India, the export agent is RITES https://ritesltd.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Indian Railways/DLW/RITES are all parastatals/quangos, so you would be dealing with the most intractable of the human specie, the Indian Civil Servant

DLW built well over 1000 251-D. They purchased the rights, so have developed this engine independent of FM

Fepasa in Chile have a couple of Dt-12100 (DL-535 / RSD-30) stored at Alameda, at least one still has an engine, but if Chile is on the radar be quick as a local Facebook foamers group is saying that they are due for the gasaxe

Silvio Casagrande would be a good starting point for Chile, he has a former Dt-12100 in his loco hire fleet, and is still rebuilding 251-D, possibly using Indian parts, Refer División Ferroviaria at, http://www.casagrandemotori.cl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[renrut44]

Casagrande preping a DL-535/RSD-30 for hire in Bolivia earlier this month

On broad gauge was on B-B, will possibly use C-C for metre gauge in Bolivia

https://www.flickr.com/photos/metrotren ... ed-public/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[oibu]

I don't know the specifics of the export units or foreign production, but for what it's worth the original poster is located in North America and I'm pretty sure that is where the loco in question is also located. Maybe India can help, but it doesn't sound like shipping an engine halfway around the world is probably in his preferred or realistic budget since he mentioned the word "donation".

It's safe to say based on his post that he is looking for an 800-1000 HP 6-cylinder inline 251 engine, not something larger out of a road unit or in a V configuration.

Another thought would be to talk to NRE, or look into things from the power-generation/marine/etc. side and see if any suppliers have any or if any boats with a 6-251A are getting scrapped

In theory, with perhaps with a few mods a 6-539 might be suitable, and there just might be some of those lying around somewhere too.

[Engineer Spike]

Trains had an article about some short line in California, which is used in many movie shoots. They had several S6 switchers, from SP. Maybe they have enough extra parts to help.

[renrut44]

I was quoting 6-cylinder inline 251 for India/Chile/Australia, not 12 or 16. Last that I heard, the 16 is still in production in India

DLW built over 1000 locos with 6 cylinder 251engines, the point that I was trying to make is that this is a common engine outside of North America. There are still tens of thousands of kilometres of sub 15 ton/axle ng track in the third world, possibly still 350+ YDM-4 in use

I have photos of a rebuilt 6 251 at FCAB in Chile, plates indicate rebuild from Breco International, 6830 LaPaseo, Houston, 77087

Indian 6 251 powered locos are in use in Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, The Sudan, and at least 6 other African Countries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2GUHF_WENE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHj8fZ0w4ZQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zTHmo0BeUg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
KTM Malaysia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABQq_etrLEU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4UrE7_AwrY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Even G&W still operate 830 Class with 6 251 in South Australia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Aus ... _830_class" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1H7yd1FQ_8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Standard gauge 48 Class in NSW https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South ... locomotive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpJNFf4dirg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_ao0I4iV2M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Engineer Spike]

Is this for the ex Boston and Maine S5?

[Alcoman]

Is this for the ex Boston and Maine S5?

Yes, However the group has postponed buying an engine due to the cost.