PRE-ORDER - HO ATLAS MASTER RSD-4/5 SILVER UTAH RAILWAY #306 - DCC/Sound

Well over 1,300 RS-3 road-switcher locomotives were built by ALCO between 1950 and 1956. It can be considered one of the most successful four-axle diesel road-switchers ever produced by the builder. These 1,600hp locomotives were powered by an ALCO 244 V-12 engine which was complimented by rugged GE electrical components. The RS-3 was truly a versatile locomotive. It could be found in virtually every type of service from passenger and commuter runs to heavy-haul and local freight assignments. Original owners of the RS-3 tended to be in the eastern and central regions of the US (with heavier concentrations in the northeast and southeast).

During this same time-period, ALCO offered a six-axle road-switcher which was more commonly found in the west. The RSD-4/5 was externally very similar to the RS-3, having six-axle trucks as an obvious spotting feature. They produced the same 1,600hp as an RS-3, but offered increased tractive effort due to the use of a larger generator. Many RSD-4/5s were assigned to operate in mountainous territory (with varying degrees of success) on the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe and the Utah Railway.

After finding great success in dieselizing with a fleet of six Alco RSD-4s, Utah Railway purchased a single RSD-5 in 1955, which it numbered 306. These diesel locomotives lugged long coal trains across the Castle Valley deserts and over the famous Soldier Summit between Mohrland and Provo, Utah, for thirty years, finally being retired in 1982 to be replaced with slightly newer secondhand Alco RSD-15s, EMD F45s and SD45s.

Utah Railway 306 is the only Utah RSD unit to survive, thanks to the efforts of the Promontory Chapter National Railway Historical Society and Doyle McCormack. It is now displayed at the Utah State Railroad Museum in Ogden, Utah, where it will be restored to Utah Railway paint. A portion of the proceeds from each sale of this model will be donated to the Utah State Railroad Museum for this restoration!

This is a PRE-ORDER for the locomotive. Artwork is conceptual and subject to change. This is a non binding PRE-ORDER for the locomotive. Once the locomotives are received from Atlas and ready to ship the buyer will be invoiced for the full purchase price of $199.95 for non sound/DC locomotives and $319.95 for DCC/Sound locomotives. These locomotives are expected to be delivered in late 2026 to early 2027. Pre-Orders for these are still available.