Alco mania

[Chet]

I am an Alco fan also. I painted a number of Atlas Alcos for my freelance railroad almost 20 years ago. Here are some of them.

[Steamtrains]

Gotta love those early diesels....I think I have another one in my future...

What type is that one in the foreground (#402..??) Who makes the kit..??

[Chet]

402 is an RSD-3. These are fairly old Atlas units. I think they came out 15 years or so ago, if not before.

[e-paw]

I got the paint all striped on the RS-2's, drilled out all the holes for the grab irons, and while I was at it.... I drilled open the radiator fan and exhaust grills. Those were replaced with see through brass grills. I am still looking for prototype pics of the exhaust stacks to try to find a match for those grills, if they even have them.. I kind of remember looking down the stack of CNJ RS-3 # 1554 and not seeing any grill. I test fit a grab on one of the RS-2's to see how they would fit.
   

Also in the works is a second RSD-4 for the CNJ.     I have striped the paint on this shell also. It will be built the same as number 1610 that I finished up earlier.

[doctorwayne]

402 is an RSD-3. These are fairly old Atlas units. I think they came out 15 years or so ago, if not before.

Chet, that 402 looks likes an RS-3 to me, while the 425 is either an RSD-4 or RSD-5 - the three axle trucks are the giveaway.


Wayne

[Chet]

You are correct. 401 & 402 are RSD-3's, and 425 is an RSD 4/5. That's why the re is a difference in the number. The RSD-1's are also numbered different as is the RSD-11. There are a few more that aren't in the picture. Must have been in the hidden staging area.

Alco's weren't too common in Montana, where my layout is set, but that's what's nice about freelancing. Anything goes. Throws rivet counters a curve ball.

[doctorwayne]

Chet, I think that your use of RSD- for all of those locos may also be confusing the issue a bit, as Alco's use of the "D" suffix denoted a six axle unit with all axles powered, while RSC-s were also six axle diesels, but were in a 1-A-1 configuration, where the middle axle was unpowered, and was there merely to decrease the axle loading - useful on light rail where extra powered axles weren't need. Up until the appearance of the Century-series, I believe that Alco used the simple RS- designation for all four-axle hood units, and their Canadian MLW subsidiary did likewise.
That said, it's your railroad and whatever designation you chose is entirely up to you. Regardless of the terminology, those are some great looking locomotives.

Wayne

[e-paw]

I have to go with Doc on the RS "D" thing.

I added the stiffeners on the two RS-3's    


I also installed the equipment box on the fireman's side on the CNJ unit. I did this one a little differently, on this unit I attached it to the walkways instead of the car body.    

And all the unwanted details were removed.    

[e-paw]

Some more pics to post......
All the handrails were installed and the shells were reunited with the frame.    
I have finished all the end grabs and added some more details to the pilots. I also added the train-line air hose and poling pockets. They were made from some plastic sprue that I cut real thin and drilled out the center of each after they were glued in place.    

Under the short hood the LNE units have a light that shines on the steps, so that was added in the proper location.    

They LNE RS-2's also have a receptacle next to the equipment box ( they are not fuel tanks, they are located under the cabs ). I'm not sure what they are for but I think they are for charging the batteries and jump starting the loco's. We have a similar receptacle on our F-3's, and that's what they are for on the EMD's, so I will assume they do the same on the Alcos.    

[e-paw]

With Christmas over I am able to get back to work on some projects. I managed to get the two LNE RS-2's ready for paint. I just need a break in the sub zero weather so I can pull out the airbrush and toss some colors around.

I had to fabricate the MU system from various spare parts. I think they are the ALCO factory MU system. It consists of two receptacles ( one larger than the other ) and two air lines. The big problem that I see with system is that it blocks the walkway between locos, it forces you to climb up and down each unit in order to cross from one to another. As far as I can tell they kept this system on all the switchers and road switchers until the CNJ take over when they were sold off to other railroads or scraped.
    you can also see that I replaced the horns, adding one over the short hood as well. But, it can be seen better in this pic.    


Another detail that I added is a circular cover on the cab on the short hood side. I don't know what this is for but, I used a thin cross-section of plastic rod for it.
   

Now if mother nature would corporate a little I can get some painting done.

[bdw9535]

e-paw,

Did you bend your own grabirons or are these pre made, and by what company? Could the circular covers be cab vents?

Bruce

[e-paw]

It could be a cab vent ,,, and they are the stock handrails with grabs that I bent myself from .015 brass wire.


Here's a pic of the MU system.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/lne/lne655s.jpg">http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/lne/lne655s.jpg</a><!-- m -->

[Charlie B]

It could be a cab vent ,,, and they are the stock handrails with grabs that I bent myself from .015 brass wire.


Here's a pic of the MU system.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/lne/lne655s.jpg">http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/lne/lne655s.jpg</a><!-- m -->

Steve, I scanned some more pictures yesterday and I found this one of a CNJ RS3 which answes your question, however, it may make more work for you.
       

Charlie

[e-paw]

Hey, Thanks Charlie. I got to cross reference that RS-3 to see what the CNJ # was. It looks like it could be from the same order as 1554 which is still in regular freight service. But, I just found this pic. It kind of looks like a bell, and it only shows up on some of the engines. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/lne658.jpg">http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/lne658.jpg</a><!-- m -->

That CNJ shot gives you a good look at the CNJ marker lights that I copied and it also shows the horn over the short hood.

" EDIT "
Just found it here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/alco/rs3/rs3repaint.html">http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/alco/rs3/rs3repaint.html</a><!-- m --> Looks like I was right It's 1545, part of the same order.. these were dual purpose engines, used in both freight and passenger service.. They had dual control stands, steam boilers, and all three different sets of cab signals that allowed them to be used any where on the system plus on run through trains into Philadelphia on RDG trackage.

[Gary S]

I've never been a fan of the Alcos, but this is some excellent work. I gotta say I'm starting to like them!!!!