Rapido Trains has released the most accurate Alco RS11 to date decorated for Seaboard Air Line Railroad. A recent delivery of a silent version allowed me to fully inspect the details of the model and share my thoughts on how to enhance the model to more accurately capture the look of a well worn SCL RS11.
SCL 1210, April 1968, courtesy G. Elwood's Fallenflags.org
Prototype information:
The Seaboard Air Line units were the first to be delivered to Seaboard Air Line with dynamic braking capabilities. The 10 unit order (Alco order numbers S3325 and S3333) were delivered in June 1960. These were the first Alco 251 prime mover equipped locomotives on the roster and all were assigned initially to West Jacksonville, Florida and were used primarily south and west of Savannah, Georgia. The units operated short hood forward and were constructed with high short hoods.
The RS11s were numbered SAL 101-109 and were used in 4 or 5 unit consists on fast manifest freights and could often be seen in consist with the 1965 built Alco C420s. All of the RS11s were conveyed to Seaboard Coast Line in July 1967, when they were renumbered SCL 1202-1211. In 1976, all of the RS11s were transferred to power short L&N where they were again renumbered as L&N 950-959. Initially, the units wore a, "L" suffix after the road number (i.e. 1204L) until fully repainted. The RS11s were ultimately retired in 1981 after 21 years of service.
The prototype specifications of the RS11 were 1,800 horsepower Alco 251B prime mover, 40" wheel size, 74:18 gear ratio, 65 mph top speed, 61,130 pounds of tractive effort, 1,800 gallon fuel capacity, 26L air brakes, and were dynamic brake equipped. Of the 10 units, two were repainted using Seaboard Air Line Jolly Green Giant paint, SAL 100 and 101. These units would retain their light green paint through the SCL merger and were renumbered SCL 1202 and 1203.
The Rapido model is well executed and prototypically correct for Seaboard Air Line to include the correct car body filter arrangement and dynamic brakes. The model will serve as a basis for a split image SCL unit and includes highly accurate underframe details, horn, separately applied etched metal grills, and wire grab irons. The revision of the exhaust fan housing looks exceptional as does the cab contour. The horn is accurately shaped and in proportion to standards, however should be replaced with a Leslie RS3L.
The model includes sun shades which must be applied separately, and the wind deflectors need to be replaced with finer etched metal components. The separately applied grab irons are parts which I will replace with finer wire, and am further considering replacing the intercooler piping and screen with aftermarket parts available from KV Models. Overall, the model is an amazing basis to model a split image SCL unit.
The necessary changes to convert the model to a split image SCL unit include:
- Number board changes from black to white
- Install ShellScale HO104 Alco numerals
- Removal of existing herald, road number and SEABOARD lettering
- Application of new SEABOARD COAST LINE road name and road number (Microscale)
- Application of a split image herald to the short hood end only
- Replace end grab irons with finer wire .0125" diameter
- Replace wind deflectors with KV Models part 1006H
- Remove segments of orange stripes per prototype photos
- Weather and reduce opacity of yellow and orange stripes within radiator housing
- Replace horn with Bowser 190-628, Leslie RS3L
- Install whip antenna atop cab roof
Any data on which SCL RS-11s kept the SAL-based freight green paint the longest? Any make it to 1970-71?
ReplyDeleteNo hard cut off dates, but most were repainted by 1969. The RS11s were all repainted into the split image scheme by 1968, however, some members were repainted as early as May 1968. Eventually all were repainted by the early 1970s and eventually became split image L&N units with the "L" following the last number to indicate they were re-assigned. The transfer to L&N took place in 1976.
ReplyDelete