Alco M636

Specification

Factory model : M636 (this 5499 loco only).

Type : diesel-electric mining locomotive

introduced : 1968

Number in class : 54 (Mount Newman mining company)

Manufacturer : A.E goodwin / Comeng, Granville

Gauge : 1435 mm

Axles : Co-Co

Length : 19.71 metres

Mass : 185 t

Engine : Alco 16-251F

Power : 3880 hp

Speed : 112 / 20 km/h

When a vast amount of iron ore deposit was found in Pilbara, in North West of Australia, it was decided that railway system is the most economical way of delivering the ores from the mining to the port at Port Hedland.

Therefore, railway lines were built between the mines and the port. And since the companies who owned the minings are part owned by America, they also adopted the American style railroad, complete with its equipments and infrastructure.

One of them is this Alco M636 which was built by Australian companies, under licence from Alco company of USA (later Montreal Locomotive Works of Canada when Alco went bankrupt in 1968).

Operated by Mt. Newman mining (later BHP Iron Ore), this loco had hauled thousand tonnes of iron ore, before being edged out by more modern General Electric Dash-8 Alcos.

In an ironic footnote, those Dash-8s are actually Alco M636 which had its top replaced by General Electric components.

This loco is one of a few Alco C636/M636 which weren't converted into Dash-8 loco. It was retired in late 1990s, and later sent to ARHS Museum in Perth, Western Australia.

It is the only big American locomotive which is displayed in museum in big Australian cities.