ALCO Products Inc., headquartered in Schenectady, New York, was the successor to the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) diesel engine manufacturing operations, producing large high-horsepower diesel engines based on ALCO’s established locomotive power plant technology for industrial and marine applications. ALCO diesel engines were installed in United States Navy yard craft, floating power barges, non-self-propelled barges, and auxiliary service vessels that required reliable high-horsepower diesel power for pumping, power generation, or propulsion service in naval yard and harbor applications. ALCO’s diesel engine line — derived from the V-12 and V-16 locomotive engine configurations developed for railroad service — was adapted for Navy auxiliary applications requiring the reliability of proven railroad power plant technology. According to asbestos litigation records, ALCO diesel engines installed in Navy auxiliary service incorporated asbestos-containing cylinder head gasket materials at engine cylinder-to-head joint faces and asbestos-containing exhaust manifold gasket materials at exhaust manifold joints, creating exposure for Enginemen who maintained ALCO diesel engines in naval yard craft and auxiliary service vessels.

ALCO Diesel Engine Asbestos

ALCO diesel engine assemblies incorporated asbestos in high-temperature sealing:

  • Diesel engine cylinder head gaskets — ALCO diesel engines installed in Navy auxiliary craft and power barges incorporated asbestos-containing cylinder head gasket materials at the cylinder head-to-block joint faces consistent with the diesel engine construction specifications of the period. Enginemen performing cylinder head removal and gasket replacement during ALCO diesel engine overhaul handled the asbestos-containing cylinder head gasket material during each cylinder head maintenance operation
  • Exhaust manifold and turbocharger gaskets — the exhaust manifold connections and turbocharger inlet connections on ALCO diesel engines incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the high-temperature exhaust manifold joint faces. Enginemen performing exhaust system maintenance on ALCO diesel engines in naval auxiliary craft encountered asbestos-containing exhaust manifold gasket materials during exhaust system maintenance
  • Water manifold and cooling system gaskets — the water manifold connections and jacket water cooling system connections on ALCO diesel engines incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the cooling system joint faces. Enginemen performing cooling system maintenance on ALCO diesel engines encountered asbestos-containing cooling system gasket materials during cooling system maintenance operations

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to ALCO Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Enginemen who maintained ALCO diesel engine installations in naval auxiliary vessels and yard craft and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.