Specifics of the Atlas RS-3 coming out

[OldEastRR]

is this exactly the same as the first DCC one? At least the shell -- I understand all of them will be speaker-equipped so the mechanism will be different. I'm wondering if they will be single or dual headlights.

[spookshow]

I think you have confused everyone. Atlas hasn't released a DCC-Ready RS-3 yet.

-Mark

[OldEastRR]

It's not released yet, but N scale Supply, Hogtrainz, and the Atlas website all have pre-orders going for them. The Atlas production schedule  shows expected delivery 2nd quarter 2024. Either me and all those places are crazy, or Atlas is coming out soon with another RS-3, in Silver and Gold versions.

[Philip H]

It's not released yet, but N scale Supply, Hogtrainz, and the Atlas website all have pre-orders going for them. The Atlas production schedule  shows expected delivery 2nd quarter 2024. Either me and all those places are crazy, or Atlas is coming out soon with another RS-3, in Silver and Gold versions.

https://hogtrainz.com/shop/product-category/locomotives/atlas-n-scale-locomotives/atlas-n-scale-rs-3/
https://www.nscalesupply.com/atl/atl-locomotivealcors-3-2022.html

[peteski]

The conundrum still exists Al.
You initially asked "is this exactly the same as the first DCC one?"  Well, since there was no "first DCC one" and nobody (like Spookshow) has the model in hand to do a review, your question cannot be answered. Unless of course we have an industrial spy on the Railwire who has seen the model's blueprits or prototype, and who is willing to spill the beans.

[Chris333]

How many pickles are in a peck?

[nickelplate759]

How many pickles are in a peck?

Does it matter if they are pickled, or who picked them?

[peteski]

Does it matter if they are pickled, or who picked them?

It does! I think Peter picked and pickled them.

[Chris333]

@Peter_piper

[sirenwerks]

How many pickles are in a peck?

I think Gregory would definitely want to know.

[OldEastRR]

So either it's the exact same model details, or nobody knows for sure what it looks like. I tried Atlas several times but got no replies. So I guess it'll have dual headlights again.

[wazzou]

I’d almost guarantee they aren’t tooling a new shell just to change the headlight.
They probably think there’s still modeling in the hobby.

[robertjohndavis]

With the sound versions on the shelves, it’s a good time to revisit some of these questions.

Has anyone tried a shell swap of an older RS-3 on the new sound chassis?

What are the overall running characteristics?

Are they heavy enough to handle more than a few cars on a 1% grade?

Are the typical Atlas QC issues apparent in the sound units (bad decoders, bent axles, filthy wheels from the factory, general inconsistencies)?

[peteski]

With the sound versions on the shelves, it’s a good time to revisit some of these questions.

Are the typical Atlas QC issues apparent in the sound units (bad decoders, bent axles, filthy wheels from the factory, general inconsistencies)?

I recently installed (for a friend)  ESU LokSound and a bank of stay-alive caps in one of the DC versions of the new RS-3s.  I'm not a fan of the new mechanism.  Couple of the wires from the trucks were pinched (almost to the point of the bare wire poking through the insulation) under the speaker enclosure. The truck's wires are too short to run them over the speaker enclosure to a connector on the bottom of the light board.  I'm also not sure how the motor mounts (simply pieces of foam tape stuck on the top and bottom of the motor) will fare after few years.  That is the only thing retaining the motor in its large cavity.  The motor can freely be moved laterally and longitudinally in its cavity.  They most likely did that for sound deadening effect, but I prefer the motor to have a more positive mount.  Due to the addition of the speaker and full-length light board/decoder the loco is not very heavy, so it probably won't pull all that well on a grade.

The wheel look like the wheels Atlas has been using since their first "low friction" trucks, but the have reduced the flange height.  I replaced those with Kato wheels because they seem to stay cleaner longer than atlas (and they look so much better).

I have no reports of its pulling ability. My friend will mostly use it for a yard switcher.
Spookshow has a review of the new RS-3. Worth reading. https://spookshow.net/loco/kators3.html

[bigdawgks]

My RS3s run great. Pulling power of the pair is excellent for their size. They run smoothly at slow speeds and even on questionable trackwork I haven't noticed any issues.

They are also LOUD! The sound of the Alco prime movers drown out everything else, including the horn. I might try to adjust the volume levels at some point.