COMME-N-TARY: N-Scale Diesels Part 1 – First Generation Freight Road Locomotives About our N-scale columnist
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John Drye is our N scale editor and columnist. Click here to learn more about John.
he first N Scale models of American diesel locomotives were produced almost 50 years ago. Some of these were mediocre at best. They often represented a vague prototype, were poorly painted and ran even worse. It wasn’t until the 1980s that N Scale locomotives featured flywheels and smooth-running motors. Since then, models have steadily improved to the point that N Scale diesels run smoothly, slowly and reliably, with outstanding paint and exceptional detail, often railroad or model specific. Many are DCCequipped or DCC-ready (with plugand-play decoders). A few even come with, or are ready for, sound. This survey will focus on recentlyreleased modes of first generation road locomotives and, discuss availability, performance, and appearance
Page 149 • Issue 9 • Sep/Oct 2010 • Comme-N-tary column, page 1
of the current crop of models, and provide a little historical perspective both of the models and prototypes. One thing that the prototype and models have in common is that a particular unit might not stay in the manufacturer’s catalog indefinitely. Just as EMD went through FTs, F3s, F5s, F7s and F9s, including variations, in the 40s and early 50s, today’s model manufacturers don’t keep a particular offering in production for long. This column won’t try to describe what roadnames are available because such a summary would be out of date almost by the time the information hits the Internet. Manufacturers’ reasons behind this marketing approach might warrant another column. So, one bit of universal guidance is that if you see an appealing model in your favorite roadname, don’t hesitate. We’ll go by prototype manufacturer, beginning with A for ALCO.
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) Before building the first American diesel locomotive in 1924, ALCO built steam locomotives for dozens of railroads such as UP, SP and the NYC, including the UP’s famous Big Boy 4-8-8-4. For a while, ALCO was
the preeminent diesel manufacturer, focusing on switch engines (to be covered in a subsequent article). ALCO manufactured many of the diesels considered classics today; the first roadswitcher and the passenger-service PA. The company ceased making locomotives in 1969, well into the second generation, but successors continue to manufacture ALCO-designed diesels today for non-railroad uses.
RS-1 The prototype RS-1 was introduced in 1941 and is considered the first roadswitcher, combining the visibility of a switching locomotive and the high-speed performance of a road locomotive. The very first units were constructed during WWII and were sent to the Soviet Union. In the US, they were primarily used in local freight operations. Atlas RS-1: Atlas has offered models of the RS-1 since 1988, initially in conjunction with Kato. The RS-1 was one of the first N scale locomotives to feature a flywheel for smooth performance. The model has been upgraded several times, most recently with units released in and after 2003. These include a new motor, white LEDS and knuckle couplers. Typical of all Atlas locomotives, paint is applied sharply and crisply. As of this writing,
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