Introduction

Atlas Trainman 10004361 HO Scale ALCo RS32 Diesel Southern Pacific SP 4006 – DC

Designated as a DL721 by ALCo, the 2,000hp RS-32 was intended to compete with EMDs GP20 and GEs U25B locomotives. Only 35 units were produced, with 25 units ordered by New York Central in 1961 and 10 units by Southern Pacific in 1962. New York Centrals RS-32s were commonly seen in both road and local freight assignments. Southern Pacifics units were initially used in road service, but later settled into local freight service in San Franciscos commute territory. Here they were sometimes called upon to rescue stalled commuter trains. They later migrated across the system, ending their SP careers in Texas during the late 1970s with various other ALCo models.

Designated as a DL701 by ALCo, the 1,800hp RS-36 was only slightly more successful than the RS32, with a total of 40 units produced between 1961 and 1963. Interestingly the DL701 designation was also used for the RS-11 locomotive, and this has been the cause of some confusion when tallying fleet rosters. The largest purchaser of RS36s was Delaware & Hudson with a total of 12 units. These units served the D&H well, operating in road and local freight service through the 1980s. A few units even lasted into the 1990s holding yard and local assignments, serving their original owner for nearly 30 years. Norfolk & Western eventually amassed a larger fleet than the D&H, with the acquisition of Nickel Plates 11 units, giving N&W a total fleet of 17 units (some with high short hoods). Other original owners included Tennessee Central, Apache, Atlantic & Danville and Chicago & North Western (single unit order).

Given their very low production numbers, it is interesting to note that a handful of RS-32 and RS-36 locomotives can still be found in service today on a few US shortlines and tourist railroads.

FEATURES:

• Dynamic brakes as appropriate per road name
• NMRA 21-pin plug for DCC
• True scale dimensions with accurate details
• Separately applied hand rails and end railings
• Locating dimples for grab irons
• Directional lighting
• Realistic die-cast underframes
• Equipped with AccuMate Couplers