One for the diesel experts!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Does anyone know if the HO Atlas/Kato RS-3 mechanism will fit their RS-11 shells? Will the fuel tank also fit? I have several RS-3’s I would prefer to be RS-11’s and it would be the cheapest way to get there.

Thanks,

oldline1

2

I would think the RS11 would fit as Atlas did cheat and use the RS3 chassis for the RS 11 as the shell is too short versus the prototype.

Rick Jesionowski

3

I would think that they would, as the prototypes were the same length, at 56’ 6".

Mike.

4

Would they weight and mechanism allow that? Atlas does sell the shells for rs11. At about $10. Could always buy one and try it

5

Mike,
Well, the prototypes are not exactly the same. While they are the same length from end sill to end sill, there’s one noticable difference…

The RS-11 has 31’ truck centers:

http://www.alphabetroute.com/nynhh/dieseldgms/1400-1414.pdf

The RS-3 has 30’ truck centers:

http://www.alphabetroute.com/nynhh/dieseldgms/0517-0561.pdf

6

Thanks Paul, I didn’t look any farther than the length.

There was a thread earlier that I thought might help, but that thread was about swapping drive train parts between the Atlas RS1 and the RS3.

I don’t have any Alcos, (EMD & GE fan) I don’t have any hands on experience.

So, if the OP wanted to his Alcos to be “prototypically correct”, he woulld need to address the truck issue.

If that doesn’t bother him, than a shell swap would be worth a try.

Mike.

7

Of course, I can’t give you a direct answer. The Atlas Classic RS 3 and Rs11 (and RS32/36) use the same drive system. All three are interchangeable but you might have to change the weights. Not sure if the fuels tanks on the rs-3 and rs-11 are interchangeable.

You may be able to go to the Atlas parts website and view the diagrams, or from somewhere else on the 'net.

8

Unless someone responds who has actually fit an HO RS-11 shell on an HO RS-3 chassis, this is the best advice. Buy an undecorated HO RS-11 shell and try it.

Rich

9

Yes, as long as both are Atlas Kato they will work, you will need the RS11 walkway and railings, and the fuel tank also to be correct, works fine, fuel tank should just pop off, one end easier than other, forget which.

10

Thanks for the help, Guys. I’m not after 100% authenticity or I’d go for a Rapido model. I just happen to have several Atlas Classic RS-3’s and prefer RS-11’s. If the truck spacing is off a bit I can live with it. There are plenty of these RS-11’s on feebay but I can get the RS-11 shell and tank cover cheaper than buying a complete engine. Selling there hasn’t been all that great for me and now with charging state tax and all it’s a losing situation to me.

Thanks for all the help.

oldline1

11

Atlas used the same chassis for the RS3 and RS11 in the “yellow box” era, hence the RS11’s wheelbase was too short and was actually quite noticeable.

Later releases, Atlas corrected the wheelbase on the RS11 making it slightly longer than the RS3.

Mark.