RSC2 or 3

[Christian H]

Hi, I´m Christian from Germany,

what are the differences between a RSC2 and RSC3. On the net I find fotos of the museal RSC3 no.561 but have one fotos of the PGE no. 561 in the livery paint  or of the 561 of the British Columbia Railway?

Thanks!

[leighant]

I understand the Pacific Great Eastern (nicknamed ("Prince George Eventually" or "Province's Greatest Expense") became the British Columbia Rwy in later years, so PGE 561 could very well be BC 561.

The answer to difference between RSC2 and RSC3 will be in the old first edition of Kalbach's Diesel Spotters Guide.  Unfortuneately, my copy is in my train room which has been taken over by my homeless day-sleeper in-law and I am not allowed in the room until the hours when he is usually gone and I am usually sleeping. 

 

[cprted]

Leighant, your words are wise and true. PGE 561 is BCR 561. You can see this loco at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish (home of the Royal Hudson 2860). When they were purchased by PGE, 561 and all the others were RSC-3s, meaning they had 6 axles. Sometime later, they had their trucks swapped for 2 axle trucks, making them RS-3s. At some point during 561's restoration, the WCRA was able to get their hands on a pair of RSC 3 axle trucks to return the locomotive to its original appearance. I'll see what I can find in the way of pictures.

[cprted]

RSC-3 PGE 561 in its original (and present) condition:



RS-3 PGE 562 after conversion to 2-axle trucks:


RS-3 BCR 561, also after conversion:

[lonewoof]

According to the Diesel Spotter's Guide, the differences between  RS-2's and  RS-3's  AND between  RSC-2's  and -3's are:

RS-2, RSC-2 have battery box slung under frame between rear truck and air reservoir; -3's have battery box on running board behind cab;

RS-2, RSC-2 have fuel filler on cab side; -3's have filler on tank.

HTH

/B