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Alco RS3: Can Anyone Identify this Model?

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  • Member since
    February 2020
  • 2 posts
Alco RS3: Can Anyone Identify this Model?
Posted by GP737 on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 10:25 PM

I recently acquired a second hand HO Alco RS3. The seller did not know the manufature of the locomotive, and it did not come with its original box. There are no manuftures name or model or serial numbers any where on the model, both inside and out. It has a single centermounted motor powereing both trucks. There appears to be a tray at one of the ends for a speaker. If anyone can identify this locomotive I would appreciate it. This is my first post. I hope the pictures show up.

ALCO RS3 Shell

ALCO RS3 Chassis

 ALCO RS3 Circuit Board

ALCO RS3 Motor and Frame

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 168 posts
Posted by speedybee on Thursday, March 10, 2022 9:41 AM

I don't own this model, but since no one else has replied, in my layman's opinion it looks like the Athearn

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH96774

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Thursday, March 10, 2022 10:30 AM

Hello All,

It is indeed an Athearn from the Ready To Roll series; "DCC Ready".

The unit I have is in the Denver & Rio Grande West livery. The date on the box is 2005.

A Digitrax decoder plugs into the 9-pin wiring harness and sits in the tray where the dummy plug is.

Mine came with a Digitrax DH126D decoder installed. 

You could install a DH166D if you want to add more lights.

The "D" at the end of the decoder designation refers to the wiring harness type: PS=9-pin; short, P=9-pin; medium, D=Wired- -no plug installed.

I don't know about adding sound to this unit.

That would be a question for good folks at Athearn athearnhelp@horizonhobby.com.

I tried to look up a parts diagram on the Athearn website but none was listed.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, March 10, 2022 10:53 AM

Here is a link to your model.

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH96774

Rich

Edit Note: Oops, my apologies to speedybee who posted that same link before I did.  My bad.

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, March 10, 2022 10:56 AM

Here is a link to the parts diagram that jjdamnit was referring to:

https://hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosionAthearn/athearnrtrrs32005.jpg

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Thursday, March 10, 2022 11:10 AM

Hello Alll,

richhotrain
Here is a link to the parts diagram that jjdamnit was referring to: https://hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosionAthearn/athearnrtrrs32005.jpg Rich

Great find!

Thanks for sharing.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 2,572 posts
Posted by John-NYBW on Friday, March 11, 2022 8:52 PM

I have three of those and it is an Athearn. I bought mine about 15 years ago and plugged in a basic Digitrax decoder. At the time, speakers were too big to consider adding sound but now with the new sugarcube speakers, I might have to reevaluate. I'm not saying it's doable because there isn't much room under the shell but it's worth looking at. 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Friday, March 11, 2022 10:14 PM

I had this loco in CP livery and at the time I bought it MRC had a drop in sound decoder that actually worked and sounded good. I sold it as I decided to go strictly CN.

A few years ago Kleins found a few' new old stock' in their warehouse in CN colours. I ran it with a motor decoder but wanted sound. The MRC decoder was no longer available. Then a year or so ago I found the decoder on ebay from XL Systems Inc. Apparently they bought the MRC rights. Anyway it was only about $50 so I bought one. It really is drop in with the speaker on the board. It works fine with decent  motor control and sound. 

I just did a search of XL's website and this decoder is now $37. 

CN Charlie


 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, March 12, 2022 8:53 AM

GP737
I recently acquired a second hand HO Alco RS3. The seller did not know the manufature of the locomotive, and it did not come with its original box. There are no manuftures name or model or serial numbers any where on the model, both inside and out. It has a single centermounted motor powereing both trucks. There appears to be a tray at one of the ends for a speaker. If anyone can identify this locomotive I would appreciate it. This is my first post. I hope the pictures show up.

 

WELCOME to the forums... Welcome

Your first few posts are moderated and so will not show quickly.

I, on the otter hand (and otters akways have two hands) have been here near forever, or so it seems.

 

Posting a pikture seems to be no problem, Use the photo icon above and inseert the URL

 

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    February 2020
  • 2 posts
Posted by GP737 on Saturday, March 12, 2022 9:15 AM

Thank you all for your replies and information. I am working on installing a Tsunami TSU-PNP8 with a speaker, and current keeper. I will put a post up to let you know how it turned out.

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