Alco RS-1 SLSF (AT&N) 101 - Model Questions, Details And Photographs

Got a RS-1 from Ken Wulfert and doing a little detailing job.

I have questions. I know about as much about Alco diesel electric locomotives as Alco steam locomotives.

Remembering the F was on the long hood end, what is that right in front of the cab on the walkway?

Whatever it is they modified the handrails for it. See attachment a ways down the page in the middle of page. Looks to me like some air brake valve modifications.

Besides the exhaust extensions, MU connections, horn, re-rail frogs, and that box looking thing in front of the cab, what other AT&N/SLSF mods were done to the RS-1s?

http://www.msrailroads.com/AT&N.htm

 

Thanks Karl,

Yea those class lamps really stick out.

And that beacon just looks like a Silverfish dome.

The shades will be done as well.

I haven't found any really good detail shots yet.

I have an idea how to do the valve though.

 

Thanks Larry.

I saw that, the only image I have seen with a RS-1 mu'ed.

Anyway, I got the stack modified, and the horn installed. Used brass tubing I chucked up in the lathe, belled the end, then ground down. Drilled out the bottom of a Cal-Scale 190-665 Leslie RS5R24 horn to fit .030 brass wire, bent to install where the original blat horn was located. It is sagging a bit, but I will get it straight when it gets painted and glued on.



Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

Made a bit of progress in the last few days on this RS-1.

I managed to drill an .028 hole down the middle of the handrail stanchion where the brake valve modifications were done, that was a challenge. I installed the brake valves I cobbled together and the step and covers from modified Cannon parts for same too.

I also bent the handrail for that handrail modification, painted, installed, it press fit into the original stanchion so that worked so far. I didn't paint the valves grey so they would be seen better. Understand locomotives go thru 92 day, and 1, 2, 3 year air maintenance and changes.

A 3 year air maintenance gets many components changed out whether any failures or not. Most of the time the rebuilt valves were painted primer grey, so that is why, I noticed there were grey valves in a few pictures.

Next, I have had those Alco brake chain guides, Custom Finishes H-147. In my parts drawer for probably 25 years. Glad to put them to use. Had to drill out all of them to get the chain thru them.

I am pondering how or even if I will do the MU receptacles on the end handrails. I have decided to not do the beacon atop the cab. There are a lot of images that show them without that particular device.

It will also get a dose of weathering.

A few progress photos.

 

Thanks Sherrel!

I still have to get some class lights, Cal Scale #280, sunshades and a couple other details on it but coming along.

 

Tom,

A top-notch job as we have come to expect.

At some point in time, after February 28, 2017, I will have more time to try my hand at detailing like that but I will have a long way to go to get to your level.

I will have a RS-1 on the River Division and your work is an inspiration.

 

The old girl looks good Tom. Nice! Love the tall stack.

FYI,

I have four sets of Details West NB-156 Number Boards for Alco switchers. The diagram in the pack shows them on a yard switcher, but they look like the ones used on the ends of Alco road switchers as well, aka RS-1, RS-2, RS-3.

Frisco, nor AT&N, used them on the RS-1's, but SLSF did use them on the RS-2.

You want them?

Ken

 

Beautiful modeling.

Love the chains!

I am a steam guy but I am hooked on the sounds that these early diesels had.

 

Thanks Guys for the comments, I appreciate it.

Some more progress photographs. Got the shades on. Used HO scale 3.5' X 1.5' pieces of plain paper painted with Floquil Grime, folded and glued with canopy glue to the cab sides. They are quite robust and take the paint well.

It was interesting to see how far off-set the cab windows are, did not notice it till I got the shades on. Also fabricated the MU connections using styrene and a couple Details West parts.
I tried to match the photos as best I could. Boy the way those things stuck out on the walkways, I bet a few people barked their shins good on them.

I am waiting on the Cal-Scale #280 class marker lamps to come in now.

The Kadee 58 couplers were too long IMHO, so I went with Kadee #43s instead, they look a little more tucked in to me.

Ken,

Let me check my stock I may already have a few.

 

Is it DCC with sound?

 

Hi Jim,

No sir, old school DC, like me lol.

I cannot figure out how to even get the shell off without tearing something up.

 

To remove the shell, remove the coupler boxes and then release the tabs on the inside of the underside of the frame by the trucks front and rear.

The shell and walkways will come off as a unit.

 

Thanks Keith,

The under-frame and walkways are metal, I have drilled into both, and appear to be one piece.

The hood, cab and handrails plastic.

 

Okay,

It is a much older model and the hood and cab come off but require disconnecting the handrails.

 

Wonderful work Tom.

The old "101 girl" will really strut her stuff now!

K