OLD Weaver RS3

I am sorry, I meant a Williams!

Williams never had an RS3.  Weaver had done a two rail horizontal motor/chain drive unit that they delivered as three rail by installing an E Unit.  The models were some of the most accurate RS3's ever made.  They also ran very poorly in a three rail environment.  They were light weight and had severe turning radius issues because of the tower drive.  They had almost no pulling power.  The new WBB units use the standard three rail vertical can motors (K-Line tooling?).  They have no operation issues but they are at best mediocre representatives of the prototype.

 

Current Weaver models are reasonably accurate and have a good drive train.

The old weaver rs3's had numerous problems as chuck has identified.  One other very common problem was the sprocket on the chain drive disintegrating.   If you are paying more than 50 bucks for a static display model it's alot

I'd pass sounds like trouble. Treat yourself to  a newer model. Unless you are looking for a shelf queen

wow, great response guys, I am grateful to you all....I now remember a long time ago, back in 1991 I had purchased one, and returned it cuz it just wouldn't run...so I will pass this time!

Relatively new Weaver RS-3.  Note that there is no cab detail, and in most cases the flat bar hand railing is not accurate.   Vertical can motors ,EOB speed control drive, sound, and electro-couplers, front and back.  Click on the underlined phrase to access Weavers current offerings.

 

Hi

if you invest between 50 to 70 dollars, you can upgrade gears, wheels and pick up rollers making a good smooth engine.

The shell is very well detailed and scale size.

Andre.

Last time I saw the hand rails done correctly on an RS-3 was that original Weaver two rail model.  You can get a set of brass castings that are shaped right from P&D ($34) but are a little "heavy" for scale.  P&D also carries most of the other parts to do a really nicely tricked out RS-3.  You will have to kitbash or scratch built the tankage under the frame.  Too many variations from ALCO for mass production.  

 

Cab detail will be problematic since the rear motor will occupy about 1/2 of the cab.

Hi Chuck,

I have a Weaver RS-3 diesel engine, that ran about two weeks and just went D.O.A.

I took it to a crook, who not only did not repair it, but lost the box somewhere in his shop!

I retrieved my loco. and magically the box reappeared, all I paid was their phony charge to look at it and out the door we went!!!!

I called Weaver and I spoke to the owner Mr. Hayter who was gracious to allow me to send it to Weaver, they looked it over and repaired it, sending it back to me at no cost to me at all.

I am happy to say that it is running great, I bought this unit about three years ago, it is the Erie RR. diesel.

I don't know if this is the problem child, or not, but I like it and it has the 'Lionel' TMCC and EOB units in its' guts?!

Happy New Year,

Ralph

I don't know if this is the problem child, or not, but I like it and it has the 'Lionel' TMCC and EOB units in its' guts?!

Happy New Year,

Ralph

With the tmcc/Eob it sounds like the redesigned rs3 from weaver models. The redesigned ones have the 3 rail standard and dependable "China Drive" with die cast pilots and truck side frames. The shells are more robust with heftier screw mountson the inside but shell nearly detail is the same as the original 2 rail model. the only difference in shells between the old and new are detached pilots on the redesigned ones- something that 3rl scalers and 2 railers despise.

 

HEre is a picture of the redesigned weaver Rsd4. Similar to the current production rs3's abeit with 6 whell tri-mount trucks.

 

 

If its the Erie it is the later production with the geared drive and can motors.  If its the Erie Lackawanna its the early horizontal drive with the chains

Thank you both, prrhorseshoecurve and bluelinec4,

I will keep an eye and ear, on this W.M. RS-3 Erie diesel.

I compared it to a picture of a prototype and everything looked identical, except the markings on the cab sides, which was an easy and quick fix.

It, is supposed to be a 'Passenger' locomotive and whomever marked it, made it a 'Freight' loco.

Ralph

I have a Weaver RS-3 from the very first production run in the early 1980's. Yes, the sprocket on the chain drive split within less than a year. Sent it back to Weaver and they repaired it at no charge with an improved sprocket. From what i recall there was either a design or manufacturing flaw (perhaps too tight a tolerance or choice of materials) in the original sprocket. Since then with the addition of TMCC and some weights it has been a very reliable loco that runs at scale speeds. It readily pulls 10 - 12 NMRA weighted box cars. The fact that it did NOT run at the fast speeds often associated with 3 rail trains was also an early complaint.

Although it was advertised as requiring 042"curves (which it runs on quite effortlessly), i found some coupler modification was required. i slightly enlarged the opening to give the coupler more swing and modified the coupler mount to allow a shorter shank coupler than Weaver provided.

The only shortcomings i have found with it are: i can't seem to find a way to mount Electro-couplers, the driveshaft running through the fuel tank eliminates putting a speaker there for the addition of sounds, and the handrails are extremely fragile.

I'd consider buying another one as they seem to be showing up at bargain basement prices.

jackson

 

 

Easy to solve! or you add a 2nd tower or you add a dummy engine with all sound

AG.

I managed a speaker in the nose of a Rich Yoder 44 tonner.

These speakers are flat and small designed for the fuel tank of an Atlas SW9.  It may fit in the tank under the shaft.  The Atlas SW9 drive is a unique horizontal drive  that also takes space in the fuel tank  i.e. the flat speaker.  Diameter 30 mm (1.178in), 4.82 mm (.189") thick. 

 

I buy these Weaver chain drive engines all the time just to salvage the drive components for other projects and either toss the rest or drop it all on eBay to make it go away.

 

Never have had one fail yet and would like to find a few of the center tower drive versions.  You can replace the sprockets to lower the speed to a more prototypical speed so these are really good solid sources of raw materials for modeling projects. 

As I noted on the string discussing whether the RS3s run long or short end forward, I included this photo of my customized New Haven RS3.  I, too, modified the couplers.  The handrails are very fragile.  You may want to cement them in place, although you risk breaking them if you are not careful.  My NYC RS3 looks great. I had to rebuild the coupler mount in one end and got tired, so it has to run short end forward while pulling cars.

 

Lew Schneider

In defense of the Weaver RS3 and FA/FB models with single motor drives, they are the best locos for price we have seen in decades.    Yes once in awhile, especially early runs, they suffer split axle gears or sprockets.   According to a friend who worked in the industry, this is often caused by running the mold too cold.   These are all very easy to repair. 

 

I am in 2 rail, and the pulling power and speed on these is maginficent.   They don't run like slot cars or rockets, they have a nice reasonable scale model speed.    The single motor drives start all wheels at one time as opposed to all the dual motor drives I have seen where one truck starts, then the other with a jerk.   And the low speed control was great which is needed for scale operations. 

 

My single units will pull 20 cars easily on level track and a two unit set will pull 25 cars or more on my 1 1/2 % grade.   They easily handle my 48 inch minimum radius.   Kadee couplers mount directly at the right height.   

 

And the price compared to other stuff, was great then, and still is on used units.

 

By the way the new two motor drives on the weaver  units sit too high, they are not very good models.   Also they have stamped handrails which look like lionel toys from the 50s.    

Couldn't get a RS-3 in Southern roadname several years ago so I had Weaver slide a new engine under my old SRR hood shell.