Would anyone know where to find Alco/Cooke builders documentation, such as original build specifications, photos, etc.? I realize several railroad museums around the country seem to have thorough collections of builders documents, but I can't seem to recall a singular, plentiful source of Alco/Cooke information.

Also, there is quite a bit of technical information on http://www.steamlocomotive.info about the particular locomotive I'm looking for information on, but there are no sources to back up this data. Does anyone know who supplies a majority of this information, and if the information on this site is reputable enough to be considered a relatively accurate source?

Regards,

Rich

ALCO's archive were trashed and burned in either 1969 or early 1971,2,3, can't remember. I spoke to the guy that was ordered to dig the pit and light the fire behind Schenectady.

Some of the builders photos and erecting cards survive at ALCO Historic Photos (AHP) http://www.nrhs.com/alco_historic_photos.htm

If you want to find much on any one locomotive, you need to be a Baldwin, Porter, Davenport or Whitcomb fan.

Well, the reason I ask is that a group that I'm involved with is looking to move a locomotive, but does not know the weight of the engine. In order to obtain trucking permits, the right crane, etc, the correct weight has to be determined. I was hoping original documentation might provide such information.

The website I mentioned previously does provide a weight for the locomotive, but with nothing to substantiate this figure, its hard to base a several-thousand dollar move off of an arbitrary figure.

Any thoughts?

Hello:
Could you tell us what the locomotive is: Owner, wheel arrangement, builder's number and the builder's records could be checked to see if we have the same information.

Kevin Kohls

As mentioned above, if you don't mind identifying the locomotive that you are contemplating moving, there may be other avenues to locate the specifications you need. I have been in a similar situation myself and fortunately was able to truck a light Alco/Cooke 2-6-0 and load it without the need for a crane.

Alan Maples

Dear Richard:
You might consult my book "The Steam Locomotive Directory of North America" for specifications. The data contained therein was derived either from the research of Victor Koenigsberg ("U.S. Steam Locomotive Directory") or ALCO catalogs and specification sheets and my personal observations/measurements while doing my research.
I am aware of several errors in my book, however none of them are with ALCO-Cooke products.
If you contact me off line, I'll be pleased to help if I can.
J.David

For weights, information taken from railroad equipment diagrams should be valid, so contacting the historical societies of the railroads that owned the locomotive over the years would be worthwhile. Biggest problem I can see is these weights are normally "in working order", so one would have to do a calculation to determine the weight of the water the boiler was supposed to carry. Most equipment diagrams give enough dimensions that one should be able to calculate the volume of the boiler; don't forget to subtract the volume of the flues.