Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Norfolk & Western ALCO RS-3 Diesel Electric #300
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021
1. Norfolk & Western ALCO RS-3 Diesel Electric #300 Marker
Manufacturer: American Locomotive Company (ALCO), 1955
Length: 56 feet 11.75 inches
Weight: 247,000 pounds (lbs.)
Horsepower: 1,600
Cylinders: 12
Fuel capacity: 1,400 gallons
Tractive effort: 53,000 lbs.
Maximum speed: 65 miles per hour (mph)
The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) was the first locomotive builder to offer commercial diesel electric locomotives. It produced 1,370 RS-3 diesel-electric locomotives between 1950-1956. The RS-3 is the most frequently seen locomotive that ALCO built. The RS-3 replaced the RS-2. The primary difference between these two models is that the RS-3 is slightly more powerful.
The ALCO RS-3s were Norfolk & Western (N&W) Railway's first diesel engines. Eight were built for N&W between 1955-1956, including #300 which was built in 1955.
This unit was first used on the N&W Lynchburg, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina branch. Although these locomotives are designed for switching, RS-3s would haul local freight and commuter passenger trains on occasion. The term "road switcher" refers to a locomotive of this sort.
A number of RS-3s have survived and are located in other museums throughout the United States.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.
Location. 37° 16.396′ N, 79° 56.783′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of Norfolk Avenue Southwest and 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region and in Southwest Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chesapeake Western DS-4-4-660 #662 (here, next to this marker); Virginia Central Porter Rod Driven Locomotive #3 (a few steps from this marker); Wabash E8A Diesel-Electric #1009 (a few steps from this marker); Virginian GE EL-C Electric Locomotive #135 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western EMD SD45 #1776 (a few steps from this marker); Depressed Center Flatcar APWX #1002 (a few steps from this marker); Chesapeake Western ALCO T-6 Diesel-Electric #10 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western EMD GP9 #521 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021
2. Norfolk & Western ALCO RS-3 Diesel Electric #300 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,536 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
