Here is a hypothetical question: If Studebaker-Worthington HAD NOT purchased Alco, would ALCO survived on its own ?
I have not seen this questions asked anywhere else.
My own feeling is that the answer would have been yes.... for 5-10 or more years beyond 1969 if they secured more orders.Maybe longer. Remember ALCO was forced to cancel almost 100 orders before they closed. 75% of these orders were export.They would have most likely have to secure the bulk of these as export orders with a dribble of domestic orders. At the very least, it would have been an uphill battle domestically as GE had deep pockets for R&D and ALCO would have been at GE's mercy unless they found another electrical supplier (Hitachi).
MLW would have survived longer without losing locomotive orders as they did once BBD took over.
What's your thoughts on this ????
I have not seen this questions asked anywhere else.
My own feeling is that the answer would have been yes.... for 5-10 or more years beyond 1969 if they secured more orders.Maybe longer. Remember ALCO was forced to cancel almost 100 orders before they closed. 75% of these orders were export.They would have most likely have to secure the bulk of these as export orders with a dribble of domestic orders. At the very least, it would have been an uphill battle domestically as GE had deep pockets for R&D and ALCO would have been at GE's mercy unless they found another electrical supplier (Hitachi).
MLW would have survived longer without losing locomotive orders as they did once BBD took over.
What's your thoughts on this ????