Known as ALCO, the American Locomotive Company while known for its production of train locomotives since 1901 has also produced a line of automobiles. The company itself was founded upon the merger of several other locomotive manufacturers from all across the United States including Brooks, Cooke, Dickson, Manchester, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island as well as Richmond and Schenectady locomotive works. After this combination occurred, Alco became based out of Schenectady, New York and then went to close down the other plants that had been home to the other companies.
It was back in 1906 when ALCO would first take the plunge into the automotive industry. Under a license to do so, ALCO reproduced a French car, the Berliet. This automobile was manufactured in Rhode Island until the license was abandoned in 1908.
After abandoning the license, ALCO went in to the design and manufacture of their own design and by 1910 they had managed two Vanderbilt Cups for their designs. Furthermore, an ALCO was used in the 1911 Indianapolis 500 race. The ALCO cars saw very little commercial success and by 1913, the plants shut down and production of them ceased forever.
Before closing down the plant though, Walter P. Chrysler who was their plant manager at the time, left ALCO in 1911 to take up a position at Buick and then later became the founder of the Chrysler automobile manufacturer.
Original Authors: Nick (Globel Team)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 29/08/2008
