ATLAS ALCO RS-3 DRGW question

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Got 2 second hand atlas RS-3 DRGW in fair conditions and weathered

They seem to have a black orange stripes paint scheme is this the Aspen Gold paint ?This locos gained this livery in 1954 when after getting the new hood doors were also repainted in this achemeThey also had they turbochargers re-placed in 1957 58 possibly resulting in a modified exhaust stuck Does this mean that the atlas model is prototopically correct only for a brief period 1954 to 1958 in this configuration ?

thanks very much for your reply

stefano

2

IIRC, most RS3’s were delivered with the air-cooled turbo and the louvers on the hood doors. The large square openings came later in production as did the cross-wise turbo stack(water-cooled). Many railroads upgraded their Alco fleets to the water-cooled turbo as the old air-cooled units failed. You are going to have to look at lots of pictures to verify the details. You might want to go to the Utah Rails web site - lots of good information there.

Jim

3

Hi Jim

Great piece of informations there

Thanks very much for your reply

I have been on Utahrails website and find it excellent

thanks again

stefano

4

Atlas offered both paint versions in their HO RS-3’s. The yellow horizontal striped paint represents the original paint job that came on the them as delivered.

According to Rio Grande Diesels Vol 1, only one Alco RS-3 was painted into the “switcher” version, which has orange stripes on the ends, similar to the other hood units as they were painted in the 1960’s and going forward. The RS1-3 so painted was #5204 in 1963.

"As the only Alco freight engines on the Rio Grande, #5200-5204 weren’t successful enough to warrent a reorder, although they exhibited the comon virtue of Alco’s by pulling more and using less fuel than their non-turbocharged competition from LaGrange. Alco’s #244 engine wasn’t as reliable as the Grande would have preferred, and by 1953 the RS-3’s were being kept off through freights to avoid road failures. In the late fifties Alco marketed an improved, water-cooled turbochager for the #244; these “kits” were applied to all five Grande units.

One caption states that thelengthwise stacks indicate the old style air-cooled turbosupercharger, the Achilles Heel of Alco’s 244-series engines. The Also S3’s were in deadlines by 1965.

5

Hi Rio Grande

thanks very much for your reply

If i understand you correctly only one of this Atlas RS-3 DRGW is prototopically correct the 5204 as it was the only one to receive the paint scheme [represented by atlas] in 1963 ?

Should this model also have a different exhaust stack ?

thanks again

6

Both paint jobs are correct, however Rio Grande only ever had one RS-3 painted in the latter switcher scheme and that was for the last couple years of 5204’s operational life. Four of the five had the original horizontal yellow stripes for their entire lives (I have one of these original paint version). One of the five was repainted as mentioned. Having two switcher scheme versions wouldn’t be consistant with what the Rio Grande did if that is important.

The Atlas model appears to represent the 1958-1965 due to the exhaust stack style. One difference I note compared to the photo’s is there is the model has some additional box or appendage under the frame along side the fuel tank which the Rio Grande prototype did not. I think the Athearn version doesn’t have it. Athearn has offered a more recent RS-3 painted in yellow horizontal stripes. It may be part of the A-line shells which Athearn acquired and began releasing new HO RTR engines.

So in short, the Atlas model appears to be good from about 1958 until retirement in 1965. Both paint schemes are correct. Only one was repainted according to Joseph Strapacs book, and that happened in 1963. Joes states "Although GP30’s were delivered the year previously in this color scheme, #5204 holds the distinction of being the earliest first-generation unit to bear the new colors, used to this day.

7

Hi Rio Grande

Thank you for the much appreciated overview on the Atlas model of the DRGW very interesting pieces of history there

thanks again

regards

stefano

8

Hello 5761

My thanks also.

It looks like I will have to browse this topic also now after getting three bits of info on a quick look at two pages.

By the way I have been away from home and just now looked at your reply to my passenger car question.

I have the book by Sun. Now I will have check my purchases against your info.(relevant comments added to that thread)

Thanks for the help

Rob