Comments on Lionel RS-3?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any comments/feedback on the current $85 (list) Lionel RS-3?

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know you get what you pay for... But I'm looking for some first-hand commentary/feedback on what you *do* get for $85... [:)]

FC

[Kooljock1]

Wheels spin with as many as three cars. But other than that...

Jon [8D]

[brianel027]

The graphics and paint on some of these new ones like the black ATSF and the Ontairio Northland are pretty nice in this price range. The Santa Fe is sharp with the cab stripes even if it is black. The frame and handrails are plastic and this is an extremely light engine... you WILL need to add some weight to it inside the cab over the motorized truck.

These locos are not great pullers. Even my redone Lionel Industrial Switchers (with weight added) pull more cars simply because the center of gravity is different. This new RS-3 locos are really intended as the kid's first train engine, although I think Lionel is well in the financial position to put 2 motors in these and all lower end diesels. To my understanding the Ontario Northland RS-3 did come with 2 motors although the catalog said only one. But the same is true for the recent U36B's (Western Pacific, CSX) which also come with 2 motors even though the catalog said one. The Conrail U36B which actually did come with one motor is the only Lionel engine of recent years I wanted and it was't worth one dime over $50 though it listed for $130. Even at the $90 blowout from Charlie Ro, it was still a rip off. It was a terrible puller even on a flat layout... it slipped on curves and switches.

Lionel can't afford national media advertising. OK, but these sets and engines are the business card to the future and as such an advertisement to the new customer... they need to at least be able to pull more than 3-5 all plastic train cars.

In the bang for you buck department, I would avoid these new Lionel RS-2's unless they are being blowout for 50% off or unless you find the Ont. Northld. with dual motors. The single motored units are absolutely not worth it when compared to other locos you can get for nearly the same money:
-Any decent used MPC or LTI loco with dual motors
-A Williams 44ton Switcher (single motor but pulls much better that Lionel)
-Any K-Line Alco FA, MP-15 or S-2 will pull far more cars than the new Lionel RS-3

[LS1Heli]

I do have the Conrail U36B. It has one motor as stated and a traction tire. I have found that if it pulls the correct cars (cars that are lightweight and are modern era) you can pull more than three.

Pulling old, worn out, dry, dirt postwar units with any of the engines above is just plain & simply put stupid. They were not designed for that.

I have never had a pull test for my U36B so I can not say what the max is for one of these single motor engines (RS-3 & U36B).

[Anonymous]

I have one which I bought almost a year ago in PRR markings. Paid $67. new from Nicholas Smith Trains. With its 2 traction wheels, it has pulled well for me, but due to my small layout, I've never had it pull more than 6 cars. I know some like scoff at trains costing less than $300., and others are very knowledgable about something they have no personal experience with. I think it's a good deal for the price. I also think the PRR version looks MUCH better in person than the awful photo in the catalog. Joe

[Chris F]

When it was introduced in 1988, Lionel's RS-3 came with dual can motors and a metal chassis. Like postwar Lionel did with NW-2's and ALCO FA's, Lionel LLC reduced costs to use the RS-3 in its least-expensive sets. The low point was the RS-3 in the "Safari" set, which, IIRC, did not even include a reversing unit.

My 28856 C&NW RS-3 came with the Midwest Freight starter set. It has a single can motor in the front truck, a plastic frame, and plastic handrails. OTOH, is has a 3-position reverse with lockout switch, horn, three lights (front, rear, cab - though non-directional), window "glass", and front and rear operating couplers.

The paint job is very good, but, strangely, the number (198) isn't prototypical for a C&NW RS-3. Another strange thing is the inclusion of an on-off switch for the horn.

I've only used my RS-3 to pull the three cars that came with the set. If I were to find there were a problem pulling more cars, the first thing I would do would be to add more weights. There already are two (one in the fuel tank and one over the front truck), but there is plenty of room for more. If I wanted more power, I'd add a motor to the rear truck (parts are available from Lionel for about $13 plus shipping), but I wouldn't go through the hassle of adding wheels with traction tires (don't have the right tools).

I bought the set because I'm a fan of the C&NW, not because I wanted an RS-3. Hobby Lobby was selling the set prior to this Christmas for about $100. If Lionel were to offer another C&NW RS-3 for separate sale, I'd buy that for the same reason that I bought the set.

[philo426]

I got a cheap construction zone set(With a one -motored RS-3) for 50 bucks about 4 yearsago.I took the chasiss to my LHS and had him install another motor a nd re-painted the shell in NYC lightning livery.It now pulls 20 plus cars with no problem the addition of the second power truck is critical in improving pulling capacity.Note that the engine is very fast and must have a decent load to run at a realistic rate.

[otftch]

I just add a second power truck and weight.Presto,fifteen cars with no probelm.You can buy these modern locos (RS-3/GP-9/U-25) for a dime a dozen.I buy them whenever I get a good deal,broken etc,and put the parts away.When I find a nice one I just add the second motor truck and away I go.You can even replace the frame with a metal one if you have one laying around.
Ed