I came across several images of the Alco MRS-1 diesel, which was produced in the early 1950s for the DOD and given to Army and Navy railroad serviced facilities (weapons depots, cargo rail lines at ports). It looks like a very interesting locomotive to model, although my research found only one European modeler who ever attempted it (on display at a museum). The hood is flat ahead of the cab, the cab roof and the following hood is peaked (30 degree angles?) That would require some interesting kitbashing and hobby engineering, but it might be possible.
If I was to think about building it, what existing (Athearn...Atlas...?) diesel HO model(s) might best serve as a starting point, from the standpoints of both the body and frame?
Cedarwoodron
In case some want to know what they looked like:
http://www.berail.be/usa/alco/alco.html
Frank
It'll be a challenge. It's related to the RS-1, which Atlas does a pretty good job on, but there are some significant differences. It's a rather long in tooth model, but not overly hard to come by at a reasonable price. You've already mentioned some of the challanges with the cab. The truck sideframes will be another one, although I'm sure you can find something close enough. I presume one of the six-axle drivetrains Walthers/Proto makes can be adapted by just swapping in the chassis.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Have Fun, Cheers the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Bear: I only found one angle-view drawing- more like a sketch- with a very small image size online; in the real world, these diesels were made with adjustable gauge trucks, so they could run in Australia, Russia, most of Europe, etc. In reality, they sat in storage for 15+ years and a few were eventually used by the army and navy, with others being sold off to such as Alaska Rail. In 1950s money, they were $500,000 each- an enormous cost over-run (or a juicy govt contract, depending on how you look at it). In the photo images I have seen, the trucks resemble the 3 axle ones used on the Athearn rotary snow plow, although they may also resemble passenger heavyweight trucks, but I am not familiar with those.
I am going to look at those RSD diesels- ALCO didn't start from scratch with a completely new design, but probably re-engineered an existing frame and body to suit the military specs asked for.
The starting point will be a CAD drawing- then I can visualize it better for actual building.
I did think that the FM Trainmaster bore some resemblance to the MRS-1, but dimensions are another thing.
To make it more complicated - EMD made some too. The EMD ones have peaked roofs, the Alcos are flat topped with external radiator shutters on the long hood.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Didn't either Alco models or Hallmark produce these once in brass?
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
Gidday Ceddarwoodron, I looked a bit harder .......
http://www.thedieselshop.us/DataMRS-1.HTML
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/Rallymodeller/AlcoMRS-1fmhUSN.jpg
Having just thrown the scale ruler over my HO Atlas/kato RSD-4/5, the pilot to pilot length appears about right, but the truck wheel base is one and a half scale feet too long, which then puts the truck centre measurements out. Having said that, it would be good enough for the girls I go out with , but the rivet counters would probably disapprove.
An interesting project, have fun.
Cheers, the Bear.
I don't have info on the actual wheelbase/frame dimensions of the military units, which were all (AFAIK) 6-axle. However, the RS-1, upon which these units were based, had a wheelbase of 31'0". The RS-2 and 3, upon which the 6-axle RS-4/5 were based, had a wheelbase of 30'0", one foot shorter. These factors could be important in any swapping of mechanisms between the various models.
Steinbrenner's "A Centennial Remembrance" indicates that the Alco model was RSX-4 and that it was based on the RSD-4. Since they both used the 12 cylinder 244 engine rated at 1600 HP and had similar trucks that seems a reasonable conclusion.
Because of the low clearance design, it would not practical to modify either an RSD-4 or an RSD-12 to represent an RSX-4 since almost none of the body would be common.
However, Alco later produced an export model, the DL-541 which was very similar to the RSX-4 in most respects, but it used an 1800 HP 12 cylinder 251 engine. A later version, DL-543 had the same engine rated at 2000 HP.
An accurate scale model of the DL-541 was produced quite some time ago by an Australian company AR Kits.
One was offered recently on E-Bay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NSW-NSWGR-AR-Kits-45-Class-HO-Scale-New-in-box-/251387264425
The illustration for that auction shows the general similarity between the RSX-4 and the DL-541. The main visible difference is that the radiator is further forward on the DL-541.
When searching for these models the NSW Railways classification "45 Class" should be used since the model number DL-541 is almost unknown. The models were also sold as a South Australian "600 Class", also a DL-541.
I'm a little surprised Ja Bear didn't mention this, NZ being the nearest foreign country...
M636C