American Models ALCo RS11

Well, American Models can be full of surprises. Now I don't feel so bad about Lionel forsaking us.
The future is suddenly brighter.

I'm seeing 7 roadnames of the 8 promised. Some real winners there.

And American Models usually delivers when they say they will.

Now, if they would only update their webpage in a timely manner. Okay, now I'm nit-picking.

As the philosopher once said: "Hoo-Haaa!" 

I was wondering when AM would do the RS11.  It's been a long time coming.  I detect some money going to Michigan. 

Perhaps the 8th roadname is the ever popular Udec RR.

Rusty

 What, no Southern Pacific?  Maybe next run? Glad to see AM is back to producing new stuff, portends well for the scale........DaveB

Those look nice

Colin

Looks like a toss up between MoPac and the Demo for me.  Although the Demo looks a little too "green" in one photo. (Venue lighting perhaps?)  Tough call...

Here's a listing of original owners.

Rusty

OK Ron!!!!  DCC plugs?  Demos and MP are a go (along with my operating budget).

Roger

Gents....Here is an interesting true story about the NYC RS-11 in lightning stripes.  The NYC ordered a few units.  ALCO built them and was ready to deliver them.  NYC changed its mind and cancelled the order.  ALCO sold them to the D&H and repainted them.  So in order to be true to the prototype, the AM NYC RS-11 locos should never make it out of the ALCO factory.  We all have an ALCO factory on our layouts.  Right?  Howzat for a tale?  'Tis true.  Ed L.

PS:  Maybe a test run on a way freight, just for fun.

Yes, there is a Southern Pacific version.  It likely wasn't on display when the photos were taken since Ron loaned it out for a spin on the Michigan Group's display layout where it smoothly pulled 15-20 cars without a sweat.

They are really sweet units.

Mike A.

Edit: and the Alco demo version is definitely green - maybe a bit less bright than the photo, but still green!

Are the SPs Black Widow, or Bloody Nose paint schemes?

Found a couple interesting links here. For some reason the C&NW is not listed as an original RS-11 owner. RS-11 roster, and on Wikipedia.

"Are the SPs Black Widow, or Bloody Nose paint schemes?"

    The RS-11 came out at the end of the Black widow era maybe 1956 or 57  but everything delivered or re-painted after 1958 was Bloody Nose. I recall seeing a  few  locos still sporting the Black Widow scheme in the 60's, I guess they had not been major shopped since 1958. ....DaveB 

Espee bought 3 demonstrators, which wore the demonstrator paint with a black patch and SP silver numbers on the cab before getting painted.  The low nose RS11's were delivered in the Bloody Nose.

Fear not.  C&NW did have RS11's:

Including two rebuilt by Alco to RS11 standards from RS3's involved in a wreck:

Rusty

Some more prototype photos of the RS11 in roads offered by AM.

The Central did own RS11's, just not in lightning stripe.  In Googling around, it seems that just about everyone in any scale that offered the RS11 in NYC made some with lightning stripes, so AM's in good company.  Also, the numbers AM chose is correct for the NYC RS11's before renumbering.

Two flavors of SP:

One of the cancelled NYC units:

Rusty

Black widow scheme.

Just looking at the roads that owned RS-11s, a release of more roadnames down the road in a couple years would be nice to see.

Just those road starting with the letter "N"; NKP, N&W, NP.

Not to mention DW&P, SAL, TP&W.

And the one offs are attractive; GB&W, MEC

A good choice of prototype.

BN paint on the RS11's looked good.  NdeM had them also. 

Greg

I asked Ron about the choice of road names and he replied that he had to start somewhere.  I took that as meaning he might be thinking about coming out with more in the future.

Mike A.

I think he did a good job covering area's of the country and like his answer. "He had to start somewhere." I like his choice of a new locomotive, I'm thinking about a pair of SP and a pair of the Demo's.  There is an RS11 still working in California on the Napa Valley Wine Train, used for freight.  It came from California Western where it pulled the Skunk train but was SP originally.  Depending on the front truck design, a low nose version would be a kit bash I'd like to do. 

If American Models does an NP or BN RS-11, extra points if they include the air ringer swinging bell on the short hood.

Same goes for NP or ex-NP GP-9s as well.

I really am tickled for you S guys to see a NEW product being released.  RS-11's are muscular looking brutes that will look GREAT in S scale!

If I was still in S, the AM's Mop RS-11 would definitely be purchased in whatever numbers are to be offered.

Did you mean in general, or the models shown at the Spree?  The other guys have already answered the general question, but I believe that the model shown at the Spree was the Black Widow scheme. Either one is a great looking model.  I'll probably get one of their Eastern road units, though.  Not sure which yet.  I'll be keeping an eye on the AM web site.  Great looking models with a nice level of detail.  Typical AM power units.  Smooth and quiet runners that can handle a good consist with ease.  Being made mainly here rather than overseas is a great plus in my book!  I live about 30 minutes from the factory, so I'll be driving there, cash in hand, as soon as they're available. 

Yes, I meant the models at the Spree. I should have phrased my question a bit clearer. Black Widow it is.

Thanks for the responses.

Here's a shot, taken by Gaylord Gill, of the SP RS11 on the SE Michigan modular layout I liberated from the S Scale Yahoo group:

I think AM's got a winner on their hands.

Rusty

Rusty,

You beat me to the punch on "liberating" the photo! 

Take a good look at the model.  There's a good quantity of added-on detail, and the paint work is second to none.  I especially like the cut levers on the pilots.  Ron Bashista sent the paint work overseas, but the majority of the work is done right here in Michigan.  Watching the model perform on the SMSG layout was a treat.  When the announcement was made, there was a line-up at the American Models' table, and rightly so!  The RS-11 was done years ago in brass, but this one is a great alternative... especially in the price department!

Thanks, Ron!

That's the same M.O. used on the T&P and B&O stuff.  I suspect it will be that way for the foreseeable future.  Now that the dock strike is settled, hopefully these won't be delayed 3 months like the T&P sets were.

Notice how AM also manages to make something that appeals to both the Flyer and Scale sides.

Wonder if Ron's got anything else up his sleeve?

Rusty

Looks like future offerings will be in the "DX" series which are equipped with additional detail like grab irons, window glass, etc. Guess I'll spring for a C&NW, D&H and an SP.

You got to love how Ron does business. Announces something out the blue then delivers in a timely fashion. Not catalog something, hope for orders and wait years for it to be built if ever.

Lucky guys! Esp you get the Demo Paint schemes. We had THREE O builders of that model in O gauge yet not one of them want to offer the colorful demo model!

If I can get one of these it will get Milw. RD paint, did not get the RS3

Ray

prrhorshoecurve,

That Demo is really sweet!  A bit bright, but neat looking.  That's the one I ordered.  I'm also thinking of getting the D&H.  It was especially nice.  Hard to decide since they all looked great!

Ray,

No Milwaukee at the show, but it sounded like Ron was planning for more road names in the future.  Did Milw. run these?

Mike A.

Nope.  The Milwaukee Road didn't have RS11's.

Rusty

I am ordering the C&NW and PRR pairs. I'd get the NYC, but they were not painted in the lightning stripe scheme.

I'm sure AM will sell more NYCs in Lightning Stripe, but the rivet-counting kill-joy in me won't allow me to buy those. 

quote:

Wonder if Ron's got anything else up his sleeve?

Yup, he sure does, and I can tell you what it is: To get these on the shelves and start generating much needed income to start paying off the debts incurred to bring them to delivery.

BUY them, and BUY often!

Shucks, I may NEED that Mop RS-11 for a mantle piece.

There was a rumor that a torpedo tube Geep is in the works.

In fact, the roof air tanks, and steam generator vents are listed on their website in the parts section.

  I don't model S gauge, but find it interesting just the same.  I was reading the most recent issue of Railroad Model Craftsman and saw an article on how an RS3(American Models?) was reworked to resemble an RS1.  If,by chance, American Models should want to tool up another ALCO product, it should be an RS1.  I think it would be a great seller.  The new RS11 should also be a great seller as well, too.  

    The RS1 uses the same trucks as the RS3 and new RS11.  Hopefully, this should hold down the cost of bringing out a new model.  Who knows, someday I may go to S gauge myself.