Review: MTH O gauge Alco RS-11 RailKing line diesel

ON THE CUSP OF ALCO’S DECLINING YEARS, the Schenectady, N.Y. locomotive builder fielded the 1,800 horsepower RS-11 as a replacement in the catalog for its popular RS-3 (and its cousins). The new Alco locomotive could be purchased in low- or high-hood versions and was suitable for both freight and passenger operations. Its natural target was the wildly popular GP7/GP9 line produced by Electro-Motive.
Although more than 300 RS-11s were built between 1956 and 1961, the locomotive was hardly the smash hit Schenectady needed. The RS-3, by comparison, had sold more than 1,200 copies.
In spite of their origins from a failed locomotive maker, at least a few RS-11s continued to toil on into the 21st century. At least six RS-11s are preserved, and it wouldn’t surprise me if one or two others were standby power on a shortline or tourist railroad in the hinterlands somewhere.

Out of the box
This O gauge model from MTH really maximizes what I refer to as “texture.” From the angular notches on the noses to air filter frames on the sides and raised details on the roof, there is quite a bit to touch and see here.

The pilots have the now-forbidden footboards for brakemen, accented in yellow on the edges. Black-and-white safety stripes cover the flat faces of the pilot as well as the brake and multiple-unit lines and the uncoupler arm (though I couldn’t find any photos of a New York Central prototype painted with quite this much zest for safety).

The decks all have cast-in safety tread and the handrails are yellow with black stanchions. The sides of the frame are painted white.

The cab windows have wiper arms, and the cabs have crewmen facing the long hood front.

The end handrails have no chain or drawbridge, but both ends have double-rows of grab irons rising to the top of the shell, including two smaller grab irons bracketing the headlights.

The irons are yellow, which is both safety conscious and looks distinctive against the car body’s black color. There are low relief caps for sand placed in the center of the notches on both ends.

One side of the short hood had an additional line of grab irons running up to the rooftop.

The level of cast-in detail is good, and the hinge and latch detail is deep enough to be clearly seen – even on a jet-black background.

You’ll find cast-in louvers and screens, but you’ll also discover one interesting see-though item – there’s a wire screen covering the cooling coils on both sides of the long hood.

Up on the roof, you can easily spot the cast-in detail of the exhaust, and a see-through point that suggests there is a smoke unit; but don’t try to pour any fluid down it, because you’ll just make a mess! You’ll want to note that this model, as part of MTH’s RailKing value line, does not have a smoke unit.

Paint was applied neatly, and I noticed no overspray. Lettering was first rate. I liked what I call the “Softer Side of the Central” Water Level Route logo with the word Central, in script. This logo didn’t get especially wide use, and I remember it best for being on the experimental Xplorer locomotive built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton in 1956.

There are also bits of graphic detailing like a builder’s plate, a red and white FUEL sign, and “F,” “B,” and “2,” on the side of the frame.

On the test track
I love the sound of the Alco prime mover – it creaks, it shakes, it sounds like “Stand back, this baby’s gonna blow!” Firing up the model is terrific. The sounds are good, and while I’m no fan of voice effects, demonstrating the Freight Yard Sounds for people touring our building did get some grins and raised eyebrows.

As for speed, rolling down the test track, our low-speed average was 4.5 scale miles per hour and the high-speed average was 82 scale miles per hour. Drawbar pull for the model was 1 pound, 5 ounces.

The model has speed control, which is a terrific feature in any brand of locomotive. In conventional or command mode your locomotive should stay right on the desired speed you select, whether going upgrade or downgrade. This will significantly enhance your three-rail fun.

The model has coil couplers that functioned flawlessly.

The RailKing RS-11 is a good model of a distinctive general-purpose design by Alco. The ProtoSound 2.0 sound system is terrific, and the locomotive’s command package and features deliver solid performance. If you’re interested in 1960s power, check it out!

O GAUGE ALCO RS-11 RAILKING LINE DIESEL
Price: 299.95 (no. 30-2817-1)

Features: O-31 operation, two can-style motors, ProtoSound 2.0, coil couplers