Renfe 316 (1600): Spanish diesel-electric locomotive

ALCO RENFE 316 (formerly RENFE 1600)

RENFE 316-15 (formerly RENFE 1615)

RENFE 316 is a series of 17 four-stroke diesel-electric locomotives, formerly known as the 1600 series. These locomotives were used to haul freight trains. They arrived thanks to the global aid plan that the United States provided to Spain in 1955. The engineers of the time nicknamed these locomotives “Marilyn” due to their American origin and the slight vibration at idle.

History

This was the first diesel locomotive to enter service in Spain, with the exception of Talgo trains. The prototype was built by ALCO and its subsidiary Montreal Locomotive Works with electrical components from General Electric. The locomotive had a diesel engine producing 1,600 horsepower and was given the number DL500. It arrived in Spain for testing in 1954 and was used in Andalusia, particularly on the Despeñaperros Pass.

After successful testing, Renfe purchased sixteen more of these locomotives, but with a different driver’s cab at the rear. Ten of these were later rebuilt and became identical to the 1800 and 2100 series.