The RSD-15 was powered by an ALCO 251 16-cylinder four-cycle V-type prime mover rated at 2,400 horsepower (1.79 MW); it superseded the almost identical ALCO 244-engined RSD-7, and was catalogued alongside the similar but smaller 1,800 hp (1.34 MW) RSD-12, powered by a 12-cylinder 251-model V-type diesel engine.

[2] The locomotive rode on a pair of three-axle Trimount trucks with all axles powered by General Electric model 752 traction motors.

• Santa Fe #9820 is preserved at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, but is not publicly displayed.

[7] • Green Bay and Western #2407 (ex-ATSF #841) is preserved and operational at the Illinois Railway Museum.

• The RSD-17 demonstrator, Canadian Pacific #8921, is preserved at the Elgin County Railway Museum, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.