Which is the better version of the RS-1/RS-3 that Atlas has put out. Is it the yellow and white boxed RS-3 that is made in Japan or the Atlas Classic RS-1 that is made in China. I am concerned with smooth running and pulling power.
Detail is of secondary concern.
I have always been thumbs up on Atlas engines and their running quality.
I do not own either but MR has reviews of the RS1 and RS3 and you can look at them for your review if you can find the issues.
Atlas Alco RS-3 diesel review
Model Railroader, January 1985 page 47
( ALCO, ATLAS, DIESEL, REVIEW, RS3, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, MR )
Atlas/Kato RS-1 road switcher review
Model Railroader, November 1987 page 43
( ALCO, ATLAS, DIESEL, KATO, REVIEW, RS1, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, MR )
lmmcook,Either RS1 or RS3 is a winner. However the newer Classic units include:
RS1
Features Include:
NEW! Separately-applied wire grab irons
NEW! Coupler cut bars, trainline hoses and lift rings
NEW! Improved painting and printing
NEW! Improved detail on radiator section
NEW! Revised roof detail on long hood
Realistic die-cast mainframe
Five-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels for optimum performance at all speeds
Directional lighting
Factory- equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
Friction-bearing or rolling-bearing trucks where appropriate
RS3.
Directional lighting
- Factory-installed AccuMate® couplers
- Dual-flywheel equipped five-pole skewed armature motor for super quiet performance
- Metal grab irons
- Accurate painting and printing
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There is nothing wrong with the older Atlas/Kato RS1 or RS3…The only difference the older Alcos have cast on grabs and no pilot details.
I have a few RS-1’s, both the made in Japan and the made in China versions. Other than a higher level of detail on the made in China version I can’t find much of a difference between them. Both are fine runners.
Thanks for your input Brakie and Snuffy. I plan on getting 2 RS-3’s and 1 RS-1.
Although the Japanese/ Kato drive version has the better drive (and not by much), the shell is old technology and lacks detail and the pilots are weak. A couple of mine even have some minor distortion of the pilot. Only trouble would be if pulling a fairly long train, you can actually see the body mounted coupler move with the pilot under strain.
The newer Classic is a fantasic quality piece, I would choose it.
Bob K.
How long a train are you looking at pulling? these were first generation diesels and not much greater in power (if at all) than local steam. They were certainly not the same as todays big power. They should be pulling moderate length trains… even in multiple.
The other alternative is that you have severe grades… again the RR answer to this is shorter/lighter trains… or divide the train and haul it up the grade in two parts (doubling the grade). This can make for some interesting operations. Don’t forget that getting a train up a grade is one problem… getting it down a grade SAFELY is something else. RS1 and RS3 don’t have dynamic braking.
Have fun [:P]
Dave,Some roads RS3s was DB equipped.
David Foster, I plan to pull 12-16 cars with a prevailing grade of 2%. These trains will be local freight trains with switching.
You should be ok with one loco, but double heading would be better.
I own both the older and the newer versions of the RS, they are both good running, but the newer one has much better detail.
I own two of the locos (B&O RS-1’s) and expect them to be able to handle 12 cars up a 2% together. I would not want to put too many more on them. If I am faced with a bigger train, I’ll break out the ABBA F set or any number of steam helpers.
If none is availible then doubling the hill will do it.
Atlas made good models with these, the only problem is that they were not QSI equippted. I guess eventually they will produce them with DCC and Sound and I will probably get more of them.
Final verdict, the RS-1’s run well together.
I’ve got an older Life-Like P1K RS3 that I found at www.modeltrainstuff.com (M.B. Klein) for a good price. I put in my own decoder and upgraded the headlights to LEDs. It’s a nice, smooth-running engine. The detail level isn’t as good as a P2K.
I have two of the Atlas Classic RS-3’s in the Boston & Maine paint scheme. Both of them are excellent pullers. The details are sharp and crisp. Installing the DCC decoders couldn’t be easier. If I remember correctly, the newer ones are now coming with LED’s factory installed.
I can confirm the factory installed LED’s. I just installed a TCS A4X decoder in each of mine; I have two units in SCL. I also have one of the Kato built original units in Seaboard Air Line. The picture below was taken by Mike Garber.
