Alco/MLW RSC14 FAQ

To elaborate a bit. In the mid-70's CN was looking for something to replace units it had been using on light rail branch lines in Atlantic Canada. These units had included 4 and 6-axle FM 1200 horsepower road switchers; 1000HP 6-axle MLW units (RSC13), which were basically an AIA version of the RS-1; GE 70-tonners (I think), the 3 surviving RSC24 units, and the roadswitcher version of the GM SW-1200.

By that time, I think the 6-axle FM's had been long gone. The RSC13's had been used on some lines in the late 60's, as replacements for the FM's before they, themselves, were replaced by the GM's. However, there were some lines where the GM's were not permitted. Some of the rail here in Nova Scotia was only 56-pound stuff. That's why the A1A units. There were also light rail branches on PEI and in New Brunswick.

Basically, what CN did was use RS-18's, which were built around 1959-60, put the A1A trucks under them, and reduce the horsepower to 1400. They handled the 56 pound rail quite nicely, although they were a bit slippery. However, they operated on some branch lines from around 1975 until the lines were abandoned in the 1980's and 90's.

I don't know what happened to the units after they were retired. I was told some were sold. At least one is still operating. It was donated to the Salem and Hillsborough tourist line in southern New Brunswick.

From: Michael Thomas

The RSC_18 you are describing are better described by their CN classification MR-14. They were a group of late RS-18s which had their b-b- trucks replaced with A-1-A trucks off of RSC-1s i believe. The units were used primarily in the Canadian Maritimes on the many light branches which existed there. The units were also electrically derated to 1400 h.p. to avoid wheel slip problems caused by the lighter axle loadings.

The units are identical to the CN RS-18 type locomotive and were powered by a 12 cyl. 251 prime mover. ALl of the locomotives had 26RL brake. A few are preserved on Prince Edward Island and I think there are still 2 in Montreal stored servicable.

Michael Thomas V.P. Engineering GVT Rail.

From: Stephen Reeves

There is one RSC14 on PEI. It is #1762 and is painted in the old black with red ends and the large CN noodel on the sides. It was moved from Summerside PEI to Kensington PEI in 1988 or 1989 and is on display at the Kensington Railway Museum.