Not just the 244, but also the turbocharger problems!
Roads like SP and Santa Fe, both of whom had large fleets of PA's, just replaced those troubled 244 crankshafts more often till Alco came out with new/improved versions.
Also, SP and Santa Fe incorporated the improved turbocharger when it became available (visible as the exhaust stack on the roof being rotated 90-degrees from its original as-built placement).
An improved, I believe even catalogued, Alco PA with the 251 engine would have been a solid passenger locomotive. But the PA's reputation as a maintenance "problem child" combined with declining passenger ridership combined to spell the end of the PA's--and none were built.
It's not as simple as just blaming the 244 engine. I think the real problems started during WWII when EMD was allowed to continue building diesels and the other guys were not--plus the pride or arrogance associated with building the ultimate steam power. After the war, it was catch up--but too little too late. Alco also sold diesel units that didn't fit certain railroads track structure (C628--too heavy axle loadings for roads like Monon and D&H and parts of LV)...the service record after the sale, and other issues all combined to do them in.
John
