I have a problem…I’m addicted to ALCOs in HO. [8D]
It started innocently enough with D&H PA, given to me as a gift. That grew into 6 more assorted D&H Alcos (RS3s, RS11s and C424s). Now, I’ve embarked on a search for some Reading Alco C424s and possibly RS3s. Wish me luck.
Any other Alco-holics about?
Nick
Don’t worry Nick, I’m an ALCOholic. I don’t have any yet, but I’m getting a pair of Atlas S1s, and some P1K and Kato RS2s.
I’d go for a 12-step program if you don’t want to end up like this.
Not there yet, but somday I may very well be an ALCoholic… right now I’ve only got 6 ALCos, but that is a rapidly growing number…
At one time I, too, was an ALCO - holic. I was modeling New York Central and that was the source of most of their steam power.
The cure proved to be worse than the disease! I am now addicted to modeling Japanese prototype in 1:80 scale.
Don’t try to help me. There’s a large, surly Samurai with two extremely sharp swords just inside my layout space door!
Chuck
Did someone say ALCO? The switchers are my favourites. I’ve got eighteen Atlas ALCO switchers (some made in Austria, some made in China) and five Life-Like ALCO switchers. I’ve also got ten RS units, three FAs, and three Centuries.
My son & I have 20 between us. Everything from the Atlas ALCO switchers to Stewart C628s.
i have a S2 and an S-3 so not quite there
You do mean “Help… where can I find more”? don’t you…
I’ve lost count of my Alcos but they’re mostly CNW and an RS32 unpainted in brass…one day it will get to be yellow and green…
Don’t do what I did, don’t install sound units in your Alcos!! I did, and I havn’t been right since!!!
Sometimes I go down the basement, fire up the layout, and just stand and quiver listening to the harummp,haruummp, harummp of an RS3 idling.
My only possible salvation might be to put sound in some EMD’s, might , maybe drown out some sound.
HAHAHA! Exactly.
So far I’ve struck out locating any Reading C424s. I guess I’m off the the paint shop.
I’d procure some S series switchers too, but neither Reading or D&H’s lasted into the 70s.
Nick
An ALCo rusting in peace:
Bob Boudreau
There is the Alco RSD-15. Broadway limited sells the locomotive with or with out sound.
There about a 100 dollars with out sound and around 200- 250 dollars with sound.
You should also look into buying an RSD 4/5 or RSD 4 as they are called there also alco model units.
I have one of the RSD4/5 units and I like it very much.
James
Tiger Valley Models - dedicated to helping ALCo - haulics http://www.lynnet.com/~tigervalley/
And don’t forget that, in addition to the NYC Niagaras (and many other NYC steam), most of the UP steam locomotives, including the Big Boys and Challengers were Alcos. 
The first step is admitting you have a problem…
Greg
I’m both a D&H and ALCo addict. Here’s a few of mine:
D&H 5007 RS-11 LoNose (Atlas/TigerValley):
A batch of RS-3m s being built using my lo-nose conversion kit (Atlas units):
D&H 4099 RS-3, an updated and super detailed Hobbytown with an Atlas drive:
D&H 5023 RS-36, TigerValley w/Atlas drive, (now finished):
Quick, run to your nearest LHS and purchase at least three top-of-line steamers. Any kind of steamers. It may not cure your ALCO-holism, but when you’re done you won’t have any money left to buy ALCOs. [:D]
I’M with you bro, got FA’s painted in SP black widow even though they didn’t have them, s-2, c-628 in brass , c-630, got one of the new RSD-15’s from BLI, RS-2, next are the RS-11 and 424’s, and any thing else I can find. Love em !
D&H ? Great road, well so I hear.
ALCO: Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
Southern Railway had hundreds of RS3’s, some 250 give or take. Don’t forget the DL109’s and DL110’s, and of course the PA’s. Then the switchers, but they get lost among the NW2’s and SW models. I’m still on the hunt for green Southern RS3’s. Sorry Athearn, no black ones for me… Maybe next batch???[%-)][%-)][%-)][%-)]
Brad