HO RS-3 Locomotive Alton Southern #43 (ATH-2153)

An HO-scale replica of the ALCO RS-3 diesel-electric locomotive, this model faithfully recreates Alton Southern #43 for realistic operation on a home layout. The RS-3 was a 1,600-horsepower B-B road switcher from the early 1950s, designed to handle freight and switching duties with rugged reliability. This version captures the look, proportions, and paint schemes of the era, offering an authentic centerpiece for mid‑century North American railroading on HO tracks.

Under the hood, it features a heavy die-cast frame, all-wheel drive, and a five‑pole motor with flywheels for smooth, quiet power. It’s offered in DCC-ready form with Quick Plug 21-pin NEM connectors, and sound-equipped variants use a SoundTraxx Econami decoder with a cube speaker for convincing engine, horn, and bell sounds and strong low-speed performance. Realistic details include LED lighting, see-through etched radiator fans and cab windows, metal grab irons, and fine-scale handrails, plus McHenry scale knuckle couplers and RP25 wheel contours for reliable operation on popular HO track. Fully assembled and ready to run, the model meets an 18-inch minimum radius (22 inches recommended) to ensure smooth curves on typical layouts.