Atlas/Kato RS-3

[strummer]

I just picked up one on eBay. It runs as smooth as any engine I have, and with the MT conversion is a great addition to my little "fleet". It arrived decorated in the ATSF black scheme,with white stripes on the cab sides and the ends of the engine.
Is this factory paint,or did someone just do a REALLY good job with paint and decals? A quick search of the web ( including Mark's site) hasn't revealed this as being an Atlas offering.
I'm fine with it either way; just curious.

Mark in Oregon

[AVR Mark]

What is the number? Could it be one of the Kato RS-2s? 2099 and 2110 are the two numbers that Kato made, but ATSF only had one RS-2 and during its career it did carry both numbers. I don't recall that ATSF had any RS-3s but I could be wrong and probably am. ATSF did have about sixty RSD4s(about 10) and RSD-5s (about 50) both of which are  hard to tell apart and do share many features with the RS-3. If it is a Kato RS-2, it is a great model and easy to convert to DCC.

Mark

[u18b]

While somewhat similar, the RS2 and RS3 are different locos.

The RS-3 has battery boxes behind the cab (long hood forward).


A quick scan of this website shows you may have a really good paint job.
http://www.amherst-depot.com/rs3.htm

[strummer]

What is the number? Could it be one of the Kato RS-2s? 2099 and 2110 are the two numbers that Kato made, but ATSF only had one RS-2 and during its career it did carry both numbers. I don't recall that ATSF had any RS-3s but I could be wrong and probably am. ATSF did have about sixty RSD4s(about 10) and RSD-5s (about 50) both of which are  hard to tell apart and do share many features with the RS-3. If it is a Kato RS-2, it is a great model and easy to convert to DCC.

Mark

The number is "901", and I'm pretty sure it's an A/K RS3. It had the open pilot ends with the Rapido couplers,and "17708 Japan" molded on the bottom of the trucks,just like my other "first run" Atlas RS3.

Mark in Oregon

[strummer]

While somewhat similar, the RS2 and RS3 are different locos.

The RS-3 has battery boxes behind the cab (long hood forward).


A quick scan of this website shows you may have a really good paint job.
http://www.amherst-depot.com/rs3.htm

Yes, that would appear to be the case here...lucky me!

Mark in Oregon

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, the 900 class were SD24's, a much more modern loco although initially delivered in silver and black zebra stripes. Atlas made them in two zebra schemes? Seems odd someone would go into the trouble of a professional quality "zebra"paint job, which is not easy at all to do, on an engine ATSF never had and slap a wrong number on it.... Otto K.

[spookshow]

Santa Fe had only one "sort of" RS3 (originally built as a demonstrator unit for the TP&W in 1950). The body was actually closer to an RS2, but the insides were RS3. Santa Fe acquired it in October 1950 (renumbered to 2110 and painted in black/silver zebra stripe). Santa Fe renumbered it to 2099 in May 1952. It was later repainted to blue/yellow. Retired in 1969.

Cheers,
-Mark

[Cajonpassfan]

Mark, correct on the "sort of " RS-3... It was the Alco 1600 demonstrator (244 engine, 1600 hp) but looked like a -2 with a steam generator. A great photo of it in "Early Diesel Daze".
Otto K.