ATSF RSD-15 Excellent job on that one. If memory serves me right Santa Fe had the largest fleet of "Gators" around. Espee had three and Cotton Belt had ten but the model wasn't produced in large quantities. A great lookin Alco.
I have a night shot of 9834 as the wallpaper on my computer..... that's how I feel about them. I'm at least mildly puzzled on why the yellow stripe on top of the long hood is missing..... it should be there, even though it's benefit is questionable. Still, a great restoration project. To me, the 'big show' of RSD15's was when they were assigned to the York Canyon Unit Coal train in the very early 1970's, before the SD24's were rebuilt, and before the SD39's arrived. A typical YK/KY would have ten Alligators on it, six on the front and four in the middle; with the loaded train split 60/40. YK/KY was one of the pioneer long-distance unit coal trains in the US, and one of the very first with remote control mid-train helpers. On the return empty trip, they would run all TEN on the front. Now THAT's a train. My somewhat abbreviated attempt is four on the front and 25 custom-decalled cars with my repowered/redetailed MP's. Stuff like this is why you really, really, want to be in N scale. I was going to put Atlas components under the shells, but the new C624/8 trucks are just too slippery and frames too light. My old repowered MP's pull like mules and run slow and cool with Kato motors, a little noisy and rocky like the prototypes, but they never, ever spin. I'd like to see somebody do a new one, but I'd rather it be Kato - it would probably pull better, judging by the state-of-the-art metallurgy on the NW2.
I was speaking with a manufacturer yesterday that expressed interest in doing the DL600b. I hope it's not just blowing smoke to get me to stop asking.
Fortunately, Broadway offers the RSD-15 in HO scale. I own 2 of them in the Zebra Stripe paint - which brings up a question; When did ATSF put air conditioners on the roof? after they were painted Blue/Yellow?
The RSD7 (about 25 made) is similar. There were several ( approx 170) of the RSD 12s made, but I don't know how similar the RSD12 is to the RSD7/15. With modern model construction capabilities, maybe there could be some adaptation of these three models. Also, both high-hood and low-hood versions were built. RSD15...75 built 57 feet over pilots RSD7 25 built. RSD12 170 built. 49 feet over pilots So forget that.
there are 2 SP RSD12's left at the OERM...and they do not look anything like the RSD15, even as a low nosed unit
The RSD-12 was the six axle version of the RS-11. Pretty easy to model in HO with Atlas engine components...
