Solving the Crew Shortage Problem…For MTH RK RS-3s

Nice work. I believe MTH did the RS3 before the RS1 which features cab figures. Never understood why the RS3 wasn’t upgraded. Forum member Don Masso came up with a nice solution. Not sure how he did it. He put pictures up against the engines body that’s seen through the windows with an engineer and fireman. I think you could also make out the controls.

@Dave_C posted:

I believe MTH did the RS3 before the RS1 which features cab figures. Never understood why the RS3 wasn’t upgraded.

I think it would require significant changes to have figures in the RS-3 cab that are as nice as the ones in the RS-1.  The RS-1 has the motor under the short hood while the RS-3 motor is in the cab.  The RS-1 motors are geared to the front and rear axles while the RS-3 motors are geared to the center axles.  The body mounting screws are also in different locations.

@Lehigh74 posted:

MTH Railking Alco RS-3s are nice locomotives, but they don’t have a crew. For good reason. There is no room in the shell to put the standard engineer/fireman figures between the window and the plastic that hides the motor.

Since I had the shell off of my Suzie-Q, I decided to solve the crew shortage problem.

MTH sells 120 packs of passenger figures (about 80 seated and about 40 standing). After populating my passenger cars, I have many of the standing figures left over. The figures are actually S scale, but even then, they need to be trimmed down to fit in the RS-3. Painting the passenger figures for passenger cars is usually a tedious affair, but these were easy since only about ¼ of them will be visible. A little Scenic Accent Glue and the RS-3 has a crew.

This looks like a good idea. But if you’re open to a suggestion. They look like they’re standing up in the cab. Any way to bring them down a little, so they appear to be in a sitting position? 🤔

@Yellowstone Special posted:

This looks like a good idea. But if you’re open to a suggestion. They look like they’re standing up in the cab. Any way to bring them down a little, so they appear to be in a sitting position? 🤔

I thought about mounting them lower, but then it seemed to me they would not have a good view out the front window.

They look great ! Nice job !

@Lehigh74 posted:

I thought about mounting them lower, but then it seemed to me they would not have a good view out the front window.

.......and it was probably a good idea to stand for a better view especially when someone yelled ... CARIBOU  ON  THE  TRACK ... .

Nice job. I've considered adding figures to my RS-3's but didn't want to obliterate a regular engineer figure. The smaller figures work better too.

Cab view of an RS-1

@Lehigh74 posted:

I thought about mounting them lower, but then it seemed to me they would not have a good view out the front window.

I see. 👍

Looks great and a nice effort improving the appearance of your locomotive.  Great job!

Nice job! I did the same with my MTH RS3 by shaving the backs of a couple  of the Artista conductor figures.  Not hard to do at all, but the key thing to do is to tape the cab with painters tape above and below the metal rail so you don’t scratch the paint when removing the shell. Here’s mine -

it definitely adds to the look of the model. Everyone that has an MTH rs3 should definitely give it a try. If I was to do mine again, I’d print out a little cab interior detail from a photo and insert that before placing the figure. I believe @SIRT did this and it looked extremely good.

I’ve done this cutting about a third of the poor guy off. Basically at the shoulder so then you have a flat surface to glue him in.

@Strap Hanger posted:

Nice job! I did the same with my MTH RS3 by shaving the backs of a couple  of the Artista conductor figures.  Not hard to do at all, but the key thing to do is to tape the cab with painters tape above and below the metal rail so you don’t scratch the paint when removing the shell. Here’s mine -

it definitely adds to the look of the model. Everyone that has an MTH rs3 should definitely give it a try. If I was to do mine again, I’d print out a little cab interior detail from a photo and insert that before placing the figure. I believe @SIRT did this and it looked extremely good.

The Artista figures look fantastic.  I'm surprised you got them in there with a little shaving.  I may just have to recrew.

I stick a piece of paper between the handrails and the cab when I remove and install the shell.

@Lehigh74 posted:

The Artista figures look fantastic.  I'm surprised you got them in there with a little shaving.  I may just have to recrew.

I stick a piece of paper between the handrails and the cab when I remove and install the shell.

Thanks! The Artista "looking back" and Looking forward" conductor figures are angled (since they are turning their heads while seated), which decreases the full shoulder length.  So much so, that I don't recall any more than a few scrapes of the back with my file to get them easily in the cab.  What's also great about these figures is that the folded arms allows you to perfectly seat them with the arms "resting" on the bottom of the cab window (no more too high or too low placement issues). They really are a good choice for populating an MTH RS3 and you don't have to waste time painting.

I modify all RS-3's by installing plastic engineers. I take the grinder to the backs and then cut off the legs to fit. MTH claims there isn't any room in the cab. I also color code a cardboard wall and install it as well along with dual head lamps on some units.

They sell a nicely detailed - expensive diesel without figures. Just plain laziness.

Good job Strap!

Hey, I think that's BEN.

I have the SP&S version of this loco.  I always assumed the omission of a crew was due to cost or so they could designate either end of the engine forward and not have to change the crew to match it.  Shows what I know.  Thanks for the info, and you guys did a great job on adding those figures.

Here is one of mine that I did years ago as referenced by DaveC.

@DMASSO posted:

Here is one of mine that I did years ago as referenced by DaveC.

Nice .  Well done

@Lehigh74 posted:

MTH Railking Alco RS-3s are nice locomotives, but they don’t have a crew. For good reason. There is no room in the shell to put the standard engineer/fireman figures between the window and the plastic that hides the motor.

Since I had the shell off of my Suzie-Q, I decided to solve the crew shortage problem.

MTH sells 120 packs of passenger figures (about 80 seated and about 40 standing). After populating my passenger cars, I have many of the standing figures left over. The figures are actually S scale, but even then, they need to be trimmed down to fit in the RS-3. Painting the passenger figures for passenger cars is usually a tedious affair, but these were easy since only about ¼ of them will be visible. A little Scenic Accent Glue and the RS-3 has a crew.

OK you’re gonna get into trouble with the brotherhood of locomotive engineers and carmen. We require two crewmembers, not one. LMAO

great job/fix/find

If you install them like I did, the diesel looks better going in any direction especially in lash ups. Many times I saw crew members with back toward window, vs. looking ahead.

@SIRT posted:

If you install them like I did, the diesel looks better going in any direction especially in lash ups. Many times I saw crew members with back toward window, vs. looking ahead.

Excellent explanation .

This has been an outstanding thread on solving crew installation and positioning.

@ThatGuy posted:

OK you’re gonna get into trouble with the brotherhood of locomotive engineers and carmen. We require two crewmembers, not one. LMAO

great job/fix/find

Actually, I put one on each side.  But since they had to be trimmed down, there are about 1-1/2 crewmembers.

@Lehigh74 posted:

Actually, I put one on each side.  But since they had to be trimmed down, there are about 1-1/2 crewmembers.

You are fortunate Bob.......I  installed mine in a Lionel 6220 from the 1950s.......together there might be about 3/4ths of a crew with what looks like two .

I’m going to pile this question on this post. I’ve been looking for crew figures for scenes like a person throwing a switch or doing work like coupling. Jobs like crews do. Need them for modern era. I’ve looked at Arttista, Woodland Scenics, Scenic Express. O scale guys come close. Anyone know any other places.

Even crews in a F3 needed surgery......

@poconotrain posted:

I’m going to pile this question on this post. I’ve been looking for crew figures for scenes like a person throwing a switch or doing work like coupling. Jobs like crews do. Need them for modern era. I’ve looked at Arttista, Woodland Scenics, Scenic Express. O scale guys come close. Anyone know any other places.

Surprised you didn’t find anything at Artsta or WS.  Not saying you will find anything, but some others to try are Bachmann, Barclay, MetalFigures, Model Power, Model Tech Studios and Preiser.

For a wide variety of figures check out Modelu, located in the UK they scan actual people dressed appropriately and 3-D print them in a variety of scales. Recently added a North American line. The have figures for different eras.

@ChiTown Steve posted:

I’ve done this cutting about a third of the poor guy off. Basically at the shoulder so then you have a flat surface to glue him in.

I'm not brave enough to use the knife Steve.  

I will use a small file, small dremel bit or a piece og 220 grit wet and dry sandpaper.      It keeps me from taking too much material ( head , face, neck , shoulder , chest ) at one time.               If I use prepainted figures the paint has to be removed to ensure good adhesion with the glue.

Bob, Bob, Strap, Steve, Don, Well done!!  This is a project I have on the mental to do list.  I have two RK RS-3s that need crews!

@Dallas Joseph posted:

I'm not brave enough to use the knife Steve.

I will use a small file, small dremel bit or a piece og 220 grit wet and dry sandpaper.      It keeps me from taking too much material ( head , face, neck , shoulder , chest ) at one time.               If I use prepainted figures the paint has to be removed to ensure good adhesion with the glue.

Great points I will use these next time. Thanks!

Put the plastic figures on a bench grinder, 10 sec. you will be done. All figures going into an MTH RS-3 and SW's have to be only waist up and thinner or they will never fit. No legs needed. Grind a flat spot on their backs or shoulder-elbow to fit into desired position.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

This looks like a good idea. But if you’re open to a suggestion. They look like they’re standing up in the cab. Any way to bring them down a little, so they appear to be in a sitting position? 🤔

The seats on the real RS-3 are pretty high compared to the windows. His model looks correct (and great) to me.

My photo

@Will Ebbert

Wow! I did not know that. Thanks for sharing the photo. 👍

@Yellowstone Special posted:

@Will Ebbert

Wow! I did not know that. Thanks for sharing the photo. 👍

Something new to me also Vern .

Boy is this forum great or what !?!