Description
The Rapido Trains HO scale ALCo RS-11 locomotives feature:
- Correct hood and roof profiles 3D scanned from the prototype
- Operating number boards, headlights, class lights and cab control stand lighting
- Working inspection lights in the inspection light castings
- Straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
- Huge amount of newly-tooled roadname-specific details
- Full underbody piping, conduits and steam lines, where appropriate
- Correct roadname-specific corner steps
- Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Heavy, die-cast chassis and full, multi-color interior
- New, rock-solid 5-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels and Rapido's renowned silky-smooth drive
- DC/DCC/Sound ESU LokSound**
- Accurate sounds recorded from a real Alco 251B prime mover
Prototype Information:
Many roads purchased RS-11s with a total of around 462 units produced. The largest customer was the Norfolk & Western with 99 units. However, the Pennsylvania RR signed on for 38 units, while the Nickel Plate took 35 and SP took 34. Other customers included the Delaware & Hudson, Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific, Lehigh Valley, Missouri Pacific, New Haven, Northern Pacific and the Seaboard Air Line. Commonly regarded as one of the most reliable of ALCo locomotives, examples survived in Class 1 usage well into the late 1970s, while many are still in use on short lines today.
The RS-11 could be set up for either freight or passenger service, with passenger units having a steam generator fitted into the short hood and a larger fuel/water tank beneath the frames. RS-11 units could be designated for either long hood or short hood forward operation. Some units, like the N&W’s, were provided with dual control stands and could be operated with either end forward. Over the course of RS-11 production there were many noticeable changes made to the design. These included variations in carbody filter quantities and sizes, fuel tank designs, cab window size and placement and many other small details.
