Story and Photos by Harry K. Wong
With a diesel locomotive roster dominated by Alco Products (the American Locomotive Company), the Delaware & Hudson was no stranger to the locomotives built in Schenectady, New York. In 1967, The D&H purchased four former Santa Fe PA-1s to upgrade the power on its passenger trains operating between Albany, New York and Montreal. In 1973, these PAs were sent to Morrison-Knudsen of Boise, Idaho to be rebuilt as “PA-4s” with more modern Alco 251-series prime movers. After the PAs were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen, the Delaware & Hudson sent off eight of its Alco RS-3s to M-K in December 1975 for significant upgrades as well. As with the PAs, which had their problematic 16-cylinder 244-series prime movers swapped for a newer 251-series prime mover, each RS-3 exchanged its worn-out 1,600hp 12-cylinder 244 prime mover for a new 2,000hp 12-cylinder Alco 251-series prime mover. To accommodate the taller new prime mover, the long hood was raised six inches with a large rectangular box for the dynamic brake assembly added behind the cab. To improve forward visibility, the short hood was lowered, and the cab received a larger front windshield topped with a new numberboard assembly with vertical headlights. Now rated at 2,000hp, these freshly modernized Alcos could now put down 56,000 pounds of starting tractive effort. Though more commonly known as RS-3ms by the railroad and most enthusiasts, Morrison Knudsen designated these rebuilt Alcos as a TE56-4A (Tractive Effort 56,000 pounds, 4-axle, Alco prime mover). Back on the railroad, the RS-3ms served faithfully until they were finally retired in March 1988. One RS-3m survives today. Former D&H 1976/506 now serves on the Arcade & Attica as its #114.
The Model
Now available from Bowser Trains are highly detailed replicas of Alco/Morrison-Knudsen RS-3ms for HO scale. Out of the box, each locomotive comes with a plethora of details and operating features. On the top of the cab rests a brass Nathan M3 airhorn along with a Sinclair radio antenna with a separate cable and a cab vent. The cab window glass is clear and thin, revealing a one-piece cab interior fully furnished with seats and engineer’s control stand inside. Impressively rendered etched metal windshield wipers accompany each of the front and rear cab windows. Behind the cab on the long hood is the large rectangular dynamic brake box with side grilles and separately applied lift rings, followed by the exhaust stack and the large Alco radiator assembly topped with an etched metal see-through round radiator grille with fan blades underneath. Unique to these RS-3ms is the traction motor duct that defines most of the walkway on the fireman’s side. All walkways and steps feature “nub”-style tread detail. Atop the side sill sprout vertical stanchions of POM plastic supporting the side railings painted in a contrasting color per prototype. Beneath the sill are two air reservoirs with an intercooler and the fuel tank mounted between the AAR Type B trucks. Each truck features separately applied brake cylinders with axle-mounted attenuator cables on the forward truck. While the provided plastic m.u. cables seem a tad short in length, other pilot details include positionable etched metal drop steps, formed wire coupler cut levers, train line air hoses and a snow plow on the front pilot…
