Diesel-Electric Locomotive, RSD-1
This was one of seventy locomotives built by the American Locomotive Company-General Electric (ALCo-GE) and used on the Trans-Iranian Railroad during World War II. The electrical current was supplied to the main generator through the 1000 hp six-cylinder diesel engine that drove the generator. These locomotives were identified as 0-6-6-0DEs because they had six coupled driving wheels and no driving or trailing wheels.
They were part of US Army operations to transport supplies through Iran to the Soviet Union from 1943 to 1945, primarily working in pairs hauling northbound freight trains over mountainous regions. Following the war, the locomotives were shipped back to the US where they continued to work either hauling freight on military installations, used for training, or were sold to railroad companies.
This particular locomotive was manufactured in 1941 for a commercial railroad company. However, prior to its delivery in 1942, it was sent to the Army for use in Iran. After the war it was shipped back to the US and sold to the Alaska Department of Transportation (ADOT) where it was renumbered in their 10XX series. Following its work with the ADOT, it saw service with other government agencies until it was donated to the Smithsonian until it was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in the early 1980s. The Smithsonian
this page online
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum. (Marker Number 21.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II.
Location. 37° 9.979′ N, 76° 34.486′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard just south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rail Operations in the Transportation Corps (here, next to this marker); 40-ton Railway Flatcar (a few steps from this marker); Steam Locomotive 2-8-0, (No. 607) & Tender (a few steps from this marker); Diesel-Electric Locomotive, MRS-1 (a few steps from this marker); Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) (a few steps from this marker); Berlin Duty Train - Passenger Coach (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 40-ton Railway Flatcar (a few steps from this marker); M26A1, Truck, Tractor, 12 Ton 6×6 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
