Alco RSC-3

[PGE_Modeller]

IIRC, the Atlas RSD-4/5 had the two closely spaced axles powered, so it would have "B-1" trucks, with the idler axle inboard of the powered axles.  If my memory is failing me and it is the two widely spaced axles that were powered, then the truck designation would be "1-B" (idler outboard, i.e. toward the end of the locomotive).

In the 1950-52 "Locomotive Cyclopedia", an ALCo specification sheet for the RSD-4 lists the locomotive type as "0-6-6-0" (Whyte) or "C-C" (A.A.R.).  It appears that they had not decided which classification system to go with for diesel-electric locomotives.

The 4-wheel AAR Type B trucks used by ALCo had a wheelbase of 9'-4"; the A-1-A trucks on the RSC-2 had a wheelbase of 10'-6" while the A-1-A trucks on the RSC-3 had a wheelbase of 11'-0"; and the the three-axle Type C truck on the RSD-4 had a wheelbase of 12'-6" total with the axles spaced assymmetrically at 5'-7"/6'-11".

Cheers,

[Bob Bufkin]

The RSDs had all axels powered.  The RSC axels are not C but A-1-A. 

[Purrs]

Thanks for all the info guys. Apart from the trucks was/is there any differences ie body, between the 2, 3 and 4's?
Thx

[AVR Mark]

The Alco RS-2 and RS-3 were more alike than different from each other. They could be compared to the differences between a EMD GP-7 and GP-9. In both cases the manufacturer made changes as production went on. All the RS-2s and many RS-3s originally had Air Cooled turbochargers as opposed to Water Cooled turbochargers. Kato chose to put the Air Cooled turbocharger on all the RSC-2 models and Water Cooled turbochargers on all the RS-2 models. The visual difference is that on the Air Cooled turbos the exhaust stack is offset to the left and is positioned fore and aft. On the Water cooled turbos, the Exhaust stack is centered and mounted side to side. Due to maintenance problems, most or all the RS-2s and RS-3s had the original Air Cooled turbos replaced with Water Cooled turbos. Later models of the RS-3 came from the factory with Water Cooled turbos. The biggest differences between the RS-2 and RS-3 are as follows: RS-2 had its fuel tank mounted under the cab floor with a fuel filler and gauge on the cab side. The battery box was mounted under the frame just forward of the cab. On the RS-3, the positions of those were basically swapped, that is the fuel tank was mounted under the frame between the trucks (several variations including a water tank also) and the batteries were mounted in boxes on the running board behind the cab. The short hood of the RS-3 was slightly wider (probably less than six inches difference) than the RS-2. The RS-3 also had a larger radiator but that is difficult to see on a model. The RS-2 and RSC-2 were almost exactly the same above the running boards as were the RS-3 and RSC-3. The RSD-4 (36 made) and 5 (204 made) had the RS-3 cab and hoods on a longer frame so that the longer 12 foot 6 inch wheelbase C trucks could be used. The Alco C trucks all had the same wheelbase until the C-630 and C-636 came with the "Hi-Ad" trucks. The Atlas Alco RSD-4/5 trucks should have had but did not have the same wheelbase as the later Atlas Alco C-628 models. This was done so that the RS-3 and RS-11 models could be also sold as the RSD-4/5 and RSD-12 without making a correct length model (think save money) The early RSD-4/5 models (made by Kato) had all three axles powered but the later Atlas (made in China) did not.

The Atlas (made by Kato) RS-3 was a revolutionary product when it was first released in the mid 1980s. The Kato RS-2 is an excellent model that looks fine and runs well.

 I own several of the Atlas RS-3s, both original and later (Made in China) versions and like them all. I also own several of the Kato RS-2 models which are fine. I have not had the opportunity to see and compare the Walthers/Lifelike or Bachmann models so I can't really comment on them. 
Hope this is useful to you.

Mark

[wcfn100]

Kato chose to put the Air Cooled turbocharger on all the RSC-2 models and Water Cooled turbochargers on all the RS-2 models.

 

The RS-2 models came with two different stack options.

http://www.buynscale.com/kato-rs2.htm

Jason

[Bob Bufkin]

There are also a few brass models of the RS2, RS3 and RSD.  They have some beautiful details aren't great runners.

[AVR Mark]

When confronted with great photographic evidence such as you have, I have to say that as far as I know, all the RSC-2 models had "air cooled" turbo stacks. All the Kato RS-2s that I had seen, including the seven that I own, in three different road names (including two undecs) have "water cooled" turbo stacks. Obviously several other road names that I had not seen before or more likely didn't remember had "air cooled" turbo stacks.

Mark   

[wcfn100]

When confronted with great photographic evidence such as you have, I have to say that as far as I know, all the RSC-2 models had "air cooled" turbo stacks.

I don't doubt that.  It should be noted that they share the same shell so a water cooled RSC can be had.  I see the shells are down to $8 now too.   


Jason