Back in 1975 and 1976 the D&H had eight RS-3 locos re-engined by Morrison Knudsen, and chopped their noses at the same time. These locos were called the RS-3m. I was 16 at the time, and loved customizing model cars, so I figured I could take an AHM RS-2 and turn it into a D&H RS-3m. Nowadays you can just buy a resin shell of the RS-3m, but that was not an option back then. Also, the AHM RS-2 was not that well designed, so if given a choice you would start with a better shell, but this is what I had to work with. I chopped the nose, added the dynamic brake box and battery boxes, filled in the pilots, and then stopped work and carted the partly completed loco around ever since. During the pandemic quarantine I decided to finish the job. So here is my RS-3m, completed 45 years after I started it!
The AHM drive was crude, and there was not room for it in the shell anyway, so used a second non-powered truck to turn this unit into a dummy. I have an Atlas D&H RS-11 to pair with it. The RS-3 has a two function decoder in it for the headlights, and the RS-11 provides the motive power and sound. I picked up this used Santa Fe unit to get the second truck I needed. I don't have a model railroad, so I am not sure how much use this will get, but I was glad to finish it and honor the vision of my 16 year old self.
Somewhere along the way I got this picture of RS-3m 503, so that is the number I
put on my engine.
Nice!
I love the fact the project took 4 decades! I have one I started over 25 years ago... maybe I will finish it in the next 15!
Great job on the model.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Amazing work even despite the AHM shell!
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Wow, that loco is stunning! Would have no idea it came from an AHM model.
A shame its a dummy, maybe you could put the shell over an Atlas chassis or something...
Charles
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
JDawg Amazing work even despite the AHM shell!
Great Job and attention to detail!
What a handsome locomotive. I also like that you followed through on a decades old project. Dan
Incredible job!!! Now, any chance you could do one for me?
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Thanks! I watched a few of your videos. Great prototype action, and I liked the RS-3 in your Massena train show video. If you really want an RS-3m, this is the way to start https://www.pnwresins.com/collections/ho-scale-train-locomotive-engine-shells/products/rs3u-chopnose-engine-shell It's very close to what the real thing is/was. It needs just a few corrections, such as to the door on the front of the short hood - right now it is only suited to a person perhaps 2 feet tall going through it! Add some paint, Microscale decals, and an Atlas RS-3 chassis, and you are good to go! BTW, one of the earlier responses to this post suggested I put Atlas running gear under mine. However, the AHM shell is just a bit shorter than the Atlas shell, so getting my shell to fit would require a lot of work, so mine will remain a dummy.
Awesome that you finished it, also awesome that you kept it all this time. On a different but similar track, this week I finished a rocking horse for my granddaughter that my brother in-law started for his niece 57 years ago. He didn't complete it for his children either. He was cleaning out his basement this summer and dumped it on me in pieces lol.