Seeking advise on the most detailed Alco RS-1/3/5 in O scale

Don’t overlook the MTH RS1 just because it’s a Railking model. While not maybe the level of detail as the Atlas model it’s pretty close.  IMO it runs better, sounds better and is way more user friendly to work on. I’m mostly a steam guy. But I have a soft spot for early Alcos. I  own 3 and have 2 on order. MTH, Weaver, Williams, Lionel and Atlas have all produced RS3’s. For some reason no one has produced an RS3 model with the level of detail to the MTH or Atlas RS1’s.

I fixed the pilots on mine. From the distance I view it. It rivals any Premier model.

Posters have been asking 3rd Rail to produce these models. Nothing yet. But I think at some point you will see them. But expect the price to be north of $800 with todays pricing.

The RK RS1 i much prefer over the RS3, it seems more toylike

If you can find one, Weaver made the most detailed RS3; handrails are fragile. Early production had a not very long lasting tower (?) drive. That was replaced in later models by China drive. They rarely show up here for sale. Several are currently available on eBay.

Second vote for the MTH RK RS-1 w/PS3. I bought one from the last full production run that MTH did before Mike split.

Also look at Atlas- these are older models w/ TMCC

Happy hunting.

Bob

Another vote for MTH RS-1.  Take a look at one in person, if you are able.

@CincinnatiWestern posted:

O scale makers might have produced a high-quality model with the same level of detail as MTH premier.

The MTH RS-1 while RailKing, is Premier level detail.

I have an Atlas C&O RS-1 with a LokSound decoder. It was originally DC.

I've seen the MTH RailKing model and it's really nice, Premier level detail but at a much lower price. It's one of the best deals in O gauge.

Though my RS-1's are HO scale... the RS-1 is one of my favorite Alco's.

To me, the RS-1 was quite unique among Alco's road switcher offerings. Once the RS-2/3 hood/cab design went into production, nothing much changed until the RS-11.

As for an opinion on an O RS-1 from this closet 3-rail type:

That MTH RS-1 looks very nice.

That Atlas is great looking, too.

If I were interested in an O scale RS-1, specifically 3-rail Hi Rail, and IF I had the curve radii that could do it, I would opt for the Atlas because of it's fixed pilots and corresponding long hand rails. That is, assuming Atlas offers/offered a 3-rail version w/fixed pilots and full length handrails. However, if Atlas only offered a 3-rail with floating trucks/pilots, then I would lean more toward the MTH. (Assuming pricing was more cost effective for an MTH version.)

Best of luck!

Andre

This is an interesting question because the answer is there really isn't a great RS-2/3 that's been done in mass produced O scale.

The Weaver RS-3 probably comes closest in terms of proportion and scale down to the trucks but is dated and a lot of the detail is cast into the tool.  K-Line is not even close.  Rides high, incorrect proportions, and chunky trucks.  However, they did offer it in some interesting configurations not found elsewhere and the details are decent.  Lionel's isn't worth discussing in a scale conversation.  I got mine because I was looking for an inexpensive locomotive to pull a specific set of cars and the K-Line one fell into the "good enough" category. 

For the RS-1, MTH and Atlas are both decent representations as have been shown on this thread.  Personally, I'd lead toward Atlas.  However, I can see why some would lean MTH on the RS-1.  I can't say the same on the RS-3. Atlas's version has overall better proportions and feels more scale.

My older Atlas RS-3 in CNJ with the clunky chain drive is personally still my favorite overall.  The handrails are very delicate as has been mentioned though.  This thread is a good excuse to get it out and photograph it so you can make your own judgement.

K-LINE had an O scale RS-3 locomotive model .

Then Bachmann had a one time production run of the ALCo RS-3 locomotives.

If Bachmann is not interested in making the RS-3  then they can send the K-LINE RS-3 to 3rd Rail.

Andrew

@falconservice

If Bachmann is not interested in making the RS-3  then they can send the K-LINE RS-3 to 3rd Rail.

Andrew

The former K-Line, now Bachmann, RS-3 tooling is not even close to meeting 3rd Rail’s standard for producing accurate models.

Jonathan summed it up very well above.  There just isn’t an accurate, scale-proportioned RS-3 model with a high level of added-on details available.

That’s why I keeping hoping for one some day.  I’d be a big customer if it ever happens!!

@CincinnatiWestern posted:

I am looking to add some Alco RS units to run alongside the rival GP7 and GP9s; however, since MTH doesn't have a premier RS 1, 3, or 5 engine cataloged, I am at a loss as to which of the other O scale makers might have produced a high-quality model with the same level of detail as MTH premier.

Would love the thoughts and guidance from this group on what to look for and perhaps what to watch out for.

Thank you

So far as I know, the MTH RS-1 and RS-3 started out as Premier models, but were demoted to "RK Scale" as some Premier tooling was re-issued with more detail (I guess) and road-specific detail features. RK Scale has all the detail that I require. I have 2 MTH RS-1's - both exquisite. I also have an Atlas RS-1.

The MTH RS-3 (and 4/5), however (I have one) was a swing and a miss for MTH - very unusual. The tooling on the noses is simply incorrect. The radius on the vertical body corners is too tight, which makes the ends flat. Not an "Alco face".  Otherwise they are nice. I was hoping that MTH would correct this one day, but no.

Addendum: not remarked upon is the Lionel "bottom-feeder" RS3, with body tooling far better than one would expect (below - 2 custom-painted units I did long ago). I have a Weaver RS3 that I considered using as a chassis for the GM&O (my work; I can do better now....). It would fit. I did not, as the Weaver unit is gray/yellow L&N, and that must stay. Mechanically these Lionel units are simply very nice toys (body and truck side frames are accurate), with true "traction motors" -in- the trucks; operationally they are manageable, but too zoomy at the top end. Low end - well, they won't creep, but they can get down to "local freight slow".

My vote goes for the Atlas RS-1, it's the best version in O.

The Railking Scale RS-1 is nice but the truck wheelbase is too short.

K-Line RS-3 for comparison.  Williams did utilize this tooling, but K-Line's came with TMCC and Railsounds.  A good quality locomotive from an operations standpoint, just not a good scale model.

Cotton Belt operated theirs long hood forward, so the horn placement is good.  It is missing the stack on the short hood for the steam generator that this road number had, but that is easy enough to add.  Also, the signal lights are missing, but again an easy enough detail to add if one wanted too.

Below the frame is a different subject.  WOW!  Here comes the flood!  This is hard to unsee.  Also, the fuel tank needs some help.

My photos of my unit, so I have no problem poking fun at it.

A nice photograph of the prototype on this website.

The challenge with 3rd Rail doing one is fitting the ERR boards, smoke unit, twin speakers, a detailed full cab, and the motor inside a small hood unit such as this.  It's been discussed.  A 2 rail model would be pretty easy with the Loksound board, but just a 2 rail model wouldn't generate enough orders to get it across the finish line.

@GG1 4877 posted:

K-Line RS-3 for comparison.  Williams did utilize this tooling, but K-Line's came with TMCC and Railsounds.  A good quality locomotive from an operations standpoint, just not a good scale model.

Cotton Belt operated theirs long hood forward, so the horn placement is good.  It is missing the stack on the short hood for the steam generator that this road number had, but that is easy enough to add.  Also, the signal lights are missing, but again an easy enough detail to add if one wanted too.

Below the frame is a different subject.  WOW!  Here comes the flood!  This is hard to unsee.  Also, the fuel tank needs some help.

My photos of my unit, so I have no problem poking fun at it.

A nice photograph of the prototype on this website.

The challenge with 3rd Rail doing one is fitting the ERR boards, smoke unit, twin speakers, a detailed full cab, and the motor inside a small hood unit such as this.  It's been discussed.  A 2 rail model would be pretty easy with the Loksound board, but just a 2 rail model wouldn't generate enough orders to get it across the finish line.

These are the jacked-up pickup trucks of the train world, for sure. Otherwise, as you said, it's not too bad.

Thanks to everyone for the replies, photos, and suggestions. Truly appreciated and I will update the post when I get a couple of these up and running.

I’ve contacted Scott at 3rd Rail several times about a Alco RS3 in 3rail.I would really love to see it and I could do without cab detail and a smoke unit.

I really like my Weaver RS3, has the pittman with chain drive. I upgraded it to a Tsunami2 DCC, runs great!

IMO, the MTH RK RS-1 is a Reasonably Good Detailed Model, originally offered as RK, still RK, with an upgrade to a smoke unit a while back,  it  could use , upgraded Detail Truck Side Frames, perhaps scale axel on center dimensions and the more detailed air line/brake lines added. Then could be equal to a Premier engine. Also (2) Road Numbers, would be nice. I enjoy several of these with DCS.

RS-3, the K-Line from the frame up, has nice detail, for some reason I thought Lionel ended up with this dies, I do have a recent Williams, which I have not side by side compared to the K-line, I have some, RK RS-3's, DCS Operation and features I enjoy, detail, scale accuracy is very lacking.

A Great detailed scale accurate RS-3 is needed for sure. I have mentioned this need to MTH Reps numerous times,( along with upgrading their SD 7/9 models) to Premier level. Slim chance I suppose in these times with MTH

I have an Atlas RS1 2 rail in which I installed DCS  PS2:

It is a beautiful model with generally spot on dimensions.  Particularly the scale width hood that captures the proportions quite well. One could quibble about the handrail diameter, but I am not in that crowd

Installing the PS 2 was not easy, and required some cutting and fitting.  This was not helped by Atlas's user abusive approach to dissasembly to get the shell(s) off.  Six screws must be removed extract the trucks, and one of them comes out from the opposite side. The electrical pickups are poorly designed and executed.

I am sure if 3rd rail came out with one, all the mechanical/electrical problems would be non existent. But you are still faced with a very narrow shell to squeeze the electronics into.

The MTH RS-1 looks pretty good. I could see myself getting one at some point. I would love to see 3rd Rail/Sunset do the RS-3. That would get pretty expensive, as I would want a pair of D&H locos and a New Haven unit, so about $2700 bucks at today’s pricing with shipping.

The good news is they would take a while to get made, so I’d have time to save for them. Always look at the bright side!😊😊😊

Jeff C

@GG1 4877 posted:

K-Line RS-3 for comparison.  Williams did utilize this tooling, but K-Line's came with TMCC and Railsounds.  A good quality locomotive from an operations standpoint, just not a good scale model.

Cotton Belt operated theirs long hood forward, so the horn placement is good.  It is missing the stack on the short hood for the steam generator that this road number had, but that is easy enough to add.  Also, the signal lights are missing, but again an easy enough detail to add if one wanted too.

Below the frame is a different subject.  WOW!  Here comes the flood!  This is hard to unsee.  Also, the fuel tank needs some help.

My photos of my unit, so I have no problem poking fun at it.

A nice photograph of the prototype on this website.

The challenge with 3rd Rail doing one is fitting the ERR boards, smoke unit, twin speakers, a detailed full cab, and the motor inside a small hood unit such as this.  It's been discussed.  A 2 rail model would be pretty easy with the Loksound board, but just a 2 rail model wouldn't generate enough orders to get it across the finish line.

Jonathan - curious that this loco shows the cab with figure facing the short hood and, the F is on the short hood, so K-Line got this wrong.

@MR-150 posted:

I’ve contacted Scott at 3rd Rail several times about a Alco RS3 in 3rail.I would really love to see it and I could do without cab detail and a smoke unit.

Agreed. I would rather see 3rd Rail do an RS-3 without smoke and detailed cab vs. not do one at all.

Of the people I personally know running 3rd Rail diesels, almost no one uses the smoke unit and everyone I have had this conversation with has said they could live without.

~Chris

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Jonathan - curious that this loco shows the cab with figure facing the short hood and, the F is on the short hood, so K-Line got this wrong.

I'm not surprised that the figure is facing the wrong way.  When you ask the factory to rotate the cab for just a few roads in a production run it can create chaos. This would be correct for most other roads.  It is easy to fix too.

As the "F", yes incorrect as to the front of this version of the RS-3, but I think I may actually instead be short for "Flood Line" so perhaps it is correct.