Perhaps I'm a little late to the party, recently finally acquiring some Bowser engines including a pair of C-430's and a new C-630 which has the way cool controllable class lights.
I just today received one of the HO Bowser Alco RS-3's in the L&N paint, and I've also seen some of the other RS-3 units in person. The level of road specific detailing and how quietly they run in even plain dc is absolutely remarkable. The fit and finish seems to be improving with each diesel run (I know there was a paint issue with some BCR diesels for which new bodies are coming). The painting on the L&N units is absolutely remarkable with clear clean separations and thorough paint coverage over the grills and everywhere.
(Disclaimer: it has been 30 years since I last worked for Bowser and I'm not authorized to speak on behalf of any company).
I'd buy more RS-3's in more flavors but right now my budget is shot. If you haven't seen them they are worth checking out.
John
PRR8259 Perhaps I'm a little late to the party, recently finally acquiring some Bowser engines including a pair of C-430's and a new C-630 which has the way cool controllable class lights. I just today received one of the HO Bowser Alco RS-3's in the L&N paint, and I've also seen some of the other RS-3 units in person. The level of road specific detailing and how quietly they run in even plain dc is absolutely remarkable. The fit and finish seems to be improving with each diesel run (I know there was a paint issue with some BCR diesels for which new bodies are coming). The painting on the L&N units is absolutely remarkable with clear clean separations and thorough paint coverage over the grills and everywhere. (Disclaimer: it has been 30 years since I last worked for Bowser and I'm not authorized to speak on behalf of any company). I'd buy more RS-3's in more flavors but right now my budget is shot. If you haven't seen them they are worth checking out. John
I have the WESTERN MARYLAND and C&O RS-3's on order. And I hope they do the hammerhead in WESTERN MARYLAND, they were the passenger power on the WM after the steam was retired.
Sheldon
There is a list of planned versions on their website; it may already be out of date.
I would think WM hammerhead has a good chance...but doesn't hurt to ask nicely.
PRR8259I would think WM hammerhead has a good chance.
Did the "Hammerhead" RS-3s run with the long or short hood forward?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks for the quick review.
Even though I run modern trains, I'll be running a train or two circa about 1969 too. I saw the pics of the RS-3 and it caught my eye as being very well done. I'm on the fence since I don't know which road would be best to re letter to a hand me down short line. I like the Erie Lackawanna scheme. Will have to find one if I decide to get one.
- Douglas
Doughless Thanks for the quick review. Even though I run modern trains, I'll be running a train or two circa about 1969 too. I saw the pics of the RS-3 and it caught my eye as being very well done. I'm on the fence since I don't know which road would be best to re letter to a hand me down short line. I like the Erie Lackawanna scheme. Will have to find one if I decide to get one.
Remember Bowser only did one RS-3 in Erie Lackawanna as they only had one Phase III unit but lots of Phase I. Bowser may do the Phase I units in the future.
By the way I love my PRR and NKP Units.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Douglas--
It's your railroad so you could choose whichever paint scheme you think is the hottest one to have.
As an example I just delivered an ex-UP DM&IR C-630 body to a guy who has a big model railroad down near Philadelphia. He is painting those ex-UP Bowser C-630's into a fictional scheme where he paints out the DM&IR herald and adds a pretty blue contrasting color onto the UP yellow--for a fictional leased unit. They actually look really cool in the armour yellow and blue.
If you want the facts, one of the easiest, quick ways to get them is to search the loco photos on rrpicturearchives.net because at the top of the listing of each individual diesel they cross reference the road number and sometimes builder's plates of units with the second, third, and fourth etc. owners--so that can be a quick way of finding all the subsequent owners of any given loco as well as how long it was photo verified to remain in service.
With the RS-27's one or two units actually ended up in lease service for awhile--relatively early for that--but they were actually sent out as leasers. I have absolutely no idea which if any RS-3's could have been leasers, but it would be worth looking into.
SeeYou190 PRR8259 I would think WM hammerhead has a good chance. Did the "Hammerhead" RS-3s run with the long or short hood forward? -Kevin
PRR8259 I would think WM hammerhead has a good chance.
All Western Maryland RS units were set up with the long hood forward and I am pretty sure that was the "standard" configuration from ALCO.
PRR8259 Douglas-- It's your railroad so you could choose whichever paint scheme you think is the hottest one to have. As an example I just delivered an ex-UP DM&IR C-630 body to a guy who has a big model railroad down near Philadelphia. He is painting those ex-UP Bowser C-630's into a fictional scheme where he paints out the DM&IR herald and adds a pretty blue contrasting color onto the UP yellow--for a fictional leased unit. They actually look really cool in the armour yellow and blue. If you want the facts, one of the easiest, quick ways to get them is to search the loco photos on rrpicturearchives.net because at the top of the listing of each individual diesel they cross reference the road number and sometimes builder's plates of units with the second, third, and fourth etc. owners--so that can be a quick way of finding all the subsequent owners of any given loco as well as how long it was photo verified to remain in service. With the RS-27's one or two units actually ended up in lease service for awhile--relatively early for that--but they were actually sent out as leasers. I have absolutely no idea which if any RS-3's could have been leasers, but it would be worth looking into. John
I'm not too interested in modeling historical fidelity. Short lines modify Class I schemes when they receive hand me downs, or devise their own schemes that take heavily from the bigger railroads.
I look for schemes that are easy to modify without destroying the wonderfully applied factory paint and details.
I looked through all of the paint schemes on Bowsers site and so many are modifiable for free lancing. Its easy to add lettering to MOPAC dip blue, B&M dip blue, Milwaukee Road, the GBW, etc.
I might pre-order one of the LV hammerheads. Scratching off lettering and micros setting decals over the base paint is something that I have no concerns doing. I'm thinking a hammerhead RS-3 would be a locomotive that got pushed down to toiling in the low revenue SE USA woodchip and pulpwood areas that I'm modeling.
I purchased 3 Bowser RS3s in B&M minueman paint DC only. They look fantastic , nice color ,very good B&M details. They run with good speed control even at slow speed. I am very happy with these engines.
Ron High
The Spokane Portland & Seattle Railway Historical Society (infelicitously abbreviated SPSRHS) negotiated a special run of the RS-3 in the "red-top" scheme with the special road number of #96 which will only be available to SPSRHS members. I jumped on one. I can hardly wait.
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
It looks like the Hammerhead was made in 1953, and included a Steam Generator... PERFECT!
But... it is not available undecorated.
Bowser announced them:
"HO ALCo RS-3 Pennsylvania "Hammerhead" Locomotive A classic locomotive. We measured the real locomotive at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, Otto Vondrak, President. . At the museum the Hammerhead has the Conrail rebuild. For a great day visit the Museum. Read the history of the loco at https://www.rgvrrm.org/about/railroad/lv211/ The Bowser model is as built for the PRR. HO scale, can motor, LED lighting, blackened nickel plated wheels, and many detail parts. Chassis the same as used in our recent release of Phase 3 locos. DC Analog Version $249.95 Sound/DCC Version $349.95"
Twelve replies and no photos? Let's fix that:
NKP_540-RS3 by Edmund, on Flickr
NKP_540-RS3b by Edmund, on Flickr
EL_1057-broadside by Edmund, on Flickr
EL_1057-curve by Edmund, on Flickr
When the usual E8 was in the shop the Cleveland-Youngstown commuter train I sometimes rode was pulled by an RS-3:
Erie Lackawanna Solon Ohio by Edmund, on Flickr
I'm pretty impressed with the Bowser engines. I had the Nickel Plate pair on a sixty-car freight and they had no problem hauling that train up a 1.5% grade.
I'd really like Bowser to offer the New York Central versions that had the air reservoir moved to the top of the long hood. They just look unique to me.
NYC_RS3_Commuter by Edmund, on Flickr
This is the Proto 1000 model that I modified.
Proto 1000, RS-2 by Edmund, on Flickr
— and a real one:
New York Central RS3 8344 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
I may well be wrong, but from what I can recall, Alco RS3s were all built to run long hood forward unless the RR requested other wise. NP had their RS3s set up for short hood forward ops. Perhaps there may be more??
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
PRR8259 There is a list of planned versions on their website; it may already be out of date. I would think WM hammerhead has a good chance...but doesn't hurt to ask nicely. John
SeeYou190 It looks like the Hammerhead was made in 1953, and included a Steam Generator... PERFECT! But... it is not available undecorated. -Kevin
Apparently, the SGRR worked out a deal to acquire a hammerhead or two painted in LV colors after the LV reconsidered how many they needed. Apply SGRR decals somewhere and put the loco into service until it gets repainted or relettered, if it ever does.
I got to Bowser's store today and picked up 3 more RS-3's: 1 GB&W and 2 NKP, one of which was plain dc. Other two units have dcc/sound.
About all I can say is the YouTube videos really do not do the sound justice. It is really outstanding: clear, pretty crisp to my ears, and most certainly loud enough (some, not me, may want to turn it down). The sugar cube speakers are right below the radiator fan screen, which is open (painted brass).
I really like these models and missed out on perhaps getting more. Most roadnames are sold out at Bowser, not even available in their retail store for local walk-in traffic, and are now gone from most distributors. They have a few roadnames like GB&W left in plain dc (both road numbers).
SeeYou190It looks like the Hammerhead was made in 1953, and included a Steam Generator... PERFECT!
That was the purpose of the hammerhead. For the RS3, dynamic brakes and a steam generator were both installed in the short hood. If you wanted both (which, surprisingly, few railroads did), the short hood had to be raised to accomodate them.
I thought I read somewhere that PRR ordered it to work in the mountains, with a steam generator to be used in case the boiler failed on a passenger loco.
I used to volunteer at Genessee Valley, and I railfanned at the Rochester and Southern Brooks Ave Yard -- LV 211 was leased to the R&S to pay for her purchase cost before going to the museum. I spent many happy hours crawling over that locomotive, and scraped down the trucks in the early 1990s for painting. Both steam genny and dynamic brakes were removed (I assume when she was rebuilt by Conrail to an RS3m); there's now a giant cement block in the hood, though the yard staff told me she still didn't pull very well.
Technically she should be called a hammerbutt, as she was built to run long-hood forward...
Glad to see a model of her in HO -- though to me, she'll never look quite right without the conical EMD switcher stacks!
Aaron