CP Class 1500 explained

Class 1500
Builder:ALCO
Buildmodel:RSC-2
Totalproduction:12
Aarwheels:A1A-A1A
Maxspeed:120km/h
Poweroutput:1500hp
Operator:Comboios de Portugal
Operatorclass:Série 1500
Fleetnumbers:1501-1512
Locale:Portugal
Firstrundate:1948

The Série 1500 of the Portuguese Railways were introduced in 1948,[1] making them amongst the first main line diesel locomotives to be used in Europe. These 12 locomotives were built in the United States by ALCO, to the constructor's type RSC-2 specification. The locomotives were purchased with assistance from Marshall Aid funds in an attempt to cut the railway's running costs, modernise the system and help alleviate Portugal's shortage of coal following World War II.

They remained in service with CP until approximately 2000. 64 years after construction. Some still survive (as of 2012) with private operators and one locomotive is preserved at Portugal's National Railway Museum at Entroncamento.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Railfaneurope.net . 2024-02-27 . www.railfaneurope.net.