Alco RS-1 And S-2 - Frisco Applied Exhaust Stack Extensions

Discussion in 'RS1' started by meteor910, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The Frisco's Alco S-2 switchers and Alco RS-1 road switchers (AT&N) had SLSF-applied extensions added to their Alco 539 engine exhaust stacks.

    The S-2 stacks looked to be about double the height of the original Alco exhaust stack height.

    The RS-1s looked to be about three times the height of the original Alco stacks.

    Does anybody have a suggestion as to what tubing to get to add these extensions to the Atlas HO S-2 and RS-1 models so as to correctly do these Frisco units?

    The ex-NEO S-2s and the one ex-NEO S-4 do not appear to have had these exhaust stack extensions installed after they were added to the Frisco roster.

    Suggestions?

    Thanks.

    Ken
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2024
  2. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    A doll house funnel, upside down? :D

    Seriously though, it is a cone, actually a chopped off cone, with a longer tube.

    I have been trying to figure some kind of hobby detail part, but coming up empty.

    There is probably some kind of styrene architectural "shape" out there or a combination of them that would work.

    Still looking.

    Tom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2024
  3. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Several of the RS-1s had conical smoke lifters applied to their original stacks.

    This practice made have pre-dated the stack extension.

    I believe that SLSF 109 was one of those units.

    As to the stack extension, I think that I would remove the current cylindrical portion of the stack from the Atlas stack assembly, and replace it with the proper length of brass tubing.

    In order to obtain the small "flange" at the top of the stack, place the tubing into a drill chuck, and use a file to "turn" the tubing to the proper contour.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2024
  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Karl,

    Can you post a picture of SLSF 109 with the stack smoke lifter on it?

    I am not sure I have ever seen one of these.

    On many or most of the RS-1s and S-2s, you can see the weld where the Frisco just added a stack extension to the Alco stack cylinder coming up from the "funnel".

    It is a rectangular inverted funnel, not a round one.

    Alco used this manifold on all their S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4 and RS-1 models as the 539 engine was not turbocharged. [Administrator's note (see note in Mark's post below)]

    Ken
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2024
  5. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    In Marre and Harper Frisco Diesel Power, page 35, it shows SLSF 109 with the conical smoke lifter/smoke deflector, which was similar to those that the Frisco placed on several classes of steam locomotives.

    The picture is dated 9/54.

    In Frisco in Color, page 16, the SLSF 109 is shown again, but this time on Feb 3, 1961.

    The steam locomotive-styled smoke lifter has been replaced with the shotgun extension, which seemingly were applied to all of the RS-1 at some point during their careers.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2024
  6. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Ah!

    Now I see what you mean.

    Thanks Karl.

    Ken
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2024
  7. mark

    mark Staff Member Staff Member

    In reviewing the posts on this thread noticed a discrepancy.

    Actually the Alco 539T engine in S-2, S-4 and RS-1 model locomotives was turbocharged. Turbochargers on these units helped produced 1,000 horsepower from the Alco 539T engine.

    Due to the exhaust driven turbo lag, the engine was prone to producing thick black smoke at engine start up and when initially revving up from idle speed. The Frisco installed stack extensions were intended as smoke lifters to raise this exhaust higher. This helped to keep it above the crew members, windows, and cab interior.

    On the hood top, the turbocharged engine had a larger oblong base exhaust stack to account for the greater exiting pressure.

    These models also featured larger car body side radiators that were nearly square. They were nearly as tall as they were wide. There is a corresponding larger rectangular hood top radiator section. Cooling air was drawn in from the hood sides and exhausted or blown out the top section.

    Alco's S-1 and S-3 models were normally aspirated. They were not turbocharged. As non-turbocharged units, they produced only 660 horsepower from the same basic Alco 539 engine.

    On the hood top, the non-turbocharged engine exhaust stack is typically smaller, cylindrical along its length and does not feature the large oblong base.

    These models also featured smaller car body side radiators that were rectangular. These were taller that they were wide. There is a corresponding smaller round hood top radiator section. They, too, drew cooling air in from the hood sides and exhausted it up and out the top section.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

    Mark
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2024
    Rob R and WindsorSpring like this.

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