Since the Trainman line’s O scale products are very affordable, I think that post-starter set newbies with an interest in scale-sized trains might be likely to plop down their hard-earned bucks for a Trainman locomotive.
The product we’re exploring today, the Alco RS-3, was Alco’s best-selling diesel (more than 1,600 sold) and was a truly well-thought-out and smartly executed piece of locomotion. Approximately 36 of the venerable first-generation diesels still exist, most in the custody of museums or heritage railways.
Out of the box
Although cosmetically similar to the previously mentioned RSD-4/5, what a difference a paint job makes. The earlier model had a rather Plain Jane Chicago & North Western scheme, whereas the RS-3 has an ultra-snazzy Great Northern design. While both paint schemes are prototypical, just one makes you do a double take.
But Atlas O is selling more than a paint scheme – it’s selling a nicely detailed product as well. Starting on the roof, you’ll find add-on wire grab irons, an add-on horn, exhaust stack, and the blades of an exhaust fan set beneath a see-through screen.
The sides have a plentiful amount of cast-in hatch, hinge, seam, and louver detail. Both ends of the shell have twin-beam headlights, add-on grab irons, and miniature GN logos.
The handrails are wire with metal stanchions, and on their base you’ll find what I gather is a simulated uncoupler arm. It is placed a bit higher than you’ll find on most models, but it’s an easy-to-omit detail.
The pilots have steps and cast-in multiple-unit lines, and the truck-mounted coupler has a brake line dangling nearby. The walkways feature a safety tread pattern, and the steps have white safety accents.
The die-cast metal sprung trucks are superb. They model the AAR Type B truck, and are painted a flat black, which shows off their detail. The fuel tank houses the speaker. You’ll find sound/no sound and run/program switches beneath the truck on the short-hood end of the model.
On the test track
The Trainman RS-3 operates on O-31 and wider-diameter curves. The model has coil couplers on both ends and one power pickup roller on each truck. They are roughly 6½ inches apart. The overall length of the frame is 13¾ inches (roughly 55 feet in O scale).
The flexibility of commanding the model with Lionel’s TrainMaster Command Control system can’t be understated, since it liberates an operator from having to stand by the transformer to manage the train’s speed all the time. Of special note are the two coil couplers, which allow for prototypical switching operations without needing to rely on uncoupler sections.
Lionel’s RailSounds system offers a solid sound package that adds substantial realism to your operating sessions. I particularly like the locomotive startup sounds, where the diesel takes a shot at cranking to life! Horn and bell functions will get your attention, too.
The RS-3 ran smoothly in both command and conventional modes. Our sample’s low-speed average was 9.5 scale mph, while the high-speed average was 72 scale mph. Drawbar pull for the locomotive was 2 pounds.
Being a fan of the Trainman line’s conventional locomotives, I’m pleased to say that taking the quality of the basic diesel and adding control and sound systems – and coil couplers – are worthy steps up. So whether you’re new to the hobby or a veteran three-railer, if you want affordable scale-sized locomotives that pack a little extra punch, the up-gunned Atlas O RS-3 is a hard model to beat!
Price: $369.95 (no. 0436), conventional version $229.95 (no. 0411)
Features: O-31 operation, two can-style motors, two coil couplers, Lionel TrainMaster Command Control and RailSounds systems
Pros: Scale size, good performance, superb graphics, solid sound and command-system package
Cons: None
Made in the People’s Republic of China for Atlas O
I'm surprized that MTH or Lionel hasn't made a Great Northern
version of the RS-3 alco yet in command control.
I have been looking at Atlas 2-rail locomotives for my scale All-Nations kit cars, built over a 30 year period. They have never run because of the cost and availability of two rail kit locomotives. At this point I'm not too proud to consider a RTR Atlas (or MTH) 2-rail engine. I do have Lionel, MTH, Atlas, Weaver and K-Line 3-rail engines and rolling stock, Lionel being in the majority.