description Alco DL109 Overview
The ALCO DL109 was a streamlined diesel-electric passenger locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company between 1939 and 1945. Its carbody design combined a full-width cab with a long, rounded nose, while two diesel engines supplied power to electric traction motors. The New Haven Railroad operated the largest fleet and used the locomotives in both passenger and wartime freight service, demonstrating a versatility uncommon among contemporary passenger cab units.
help Alco DL109 FAQ
Was the ALCO DL109 a passenger locomotive or a freight locomotive?
The DL109 was a streamlined diesel-electric cab locomotive developed primarily for passenger trains. During wartime, New Haven also used its DL109 fleet on freight at night because the locomotives could perform more than one job.
What does A1A-A1A mean on the ALCO DL109?
Each truck has three axles, with the two outer axles powered and the center axle unpowered. The A1A-A1A layout reduced axle loading for passenger routes while still providing four powered axles.
What engine and horsepower did the ALCO DL109 have?
The DL109 used two turbocharged ALCO 6-539T six-cylinder diesel engines driving electric generators. Combined power was about 2,000 horsepower, and the model was built from 1939 to 1945.
Why are New Haven DL109s linked to both passenger and freight work?
New Haven received 60 of the 62 DL109 units and used them on daytime passenger trains and nighttime freight trains. That dual use was especially important during the wartime production restrictions of the early 1940s.
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