In 1901 the American Locomotive Company, often known as ALCO, was formed by a merger between Schenectady Locomotive Engine Manufactory of Schenectady, New York and several smaller companies in order to compete with rival company, Baldwin Locomotive Works. ALCO produced over 75,000 locomotives, becoming the second largest steam locomotive producer in the United States behind Baldwin. In 1904, ALCO acquired control of the Locomotive and Machine Company of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The company diversified by producing automobiles in 1906 and in 1924 ALCO produced the first commercially successful diesel-electric locomotive in collaboration with General Electric and Ingersoll-Rand. The company’s headquarters were in Schenectady, New York. In 1948 the last steam locomotives were made by ALCO. The company ceased operations in 1969.