N Alco RSD-15 Locomotive, Gray & Red, Paragon4, SP #251

The Alco RSD-15’s were built between 1956 and 1960 in Schenectady, New York.The RSD-15 was powered by an Alco 251 16-cylinder V-type engine. Rated at 2,400 horsepower, these versatile locomotives were suited for mainline freight and passenger service.

Key Features

• Paragon4 Sound & Control System
• Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF
• Precision Drive Mechanism
• All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
• ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis

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In The Box

• (1) N Alco RSD-15 Locomotive

Introduction

The locomotive rode on 3-axle trucks with all axles powered by GE model 752 traction motors.The trucks have asymmetrical axle spacing because of the position of the traction motors.The six-motor design allowed for higher tractive effort at lower speeds than a similar four-motor design.

The RSD-15’s could be ordered with either a high or low short hood, and the low hood versions quickly earned the nickname “alligators” due to their unusually long noses.

Features

• Paragon4 Sound and Control System featuring ROLLING THUNDER
• Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for Superb Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism Engineered for Heavy Towing and Smooth Slow Speed Operation
• All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
• ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting
• Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers

• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Grab Irons, Horns, Bell, and Antenna
• Prototypical Light Operation
• Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the Alco RSD-15 Diesel Locomotive
• MicroTrains-compatible couplers (2)
• Will Operate on Code 55, Code 70, and Code 80 Rail
• Minimum Operating Radius:9 inches

Overview

In 2022, Broadway Limited is offering models of the RSD-15’s in N scale with DCC and Sound for the first time.They are offering models of RSD-15’s from 9 railroads in 10 distinct paint schemes. All road numbers and paint schemes are prototypically accurate.They are also building three models that were very similar in real life – two C and O RSD-7’s and a CP RSD-17. The models will be BLI RSD-15 models with the C and O and CP paint schemes applied. There wasn’t a lot of detail variation among the RSD-15’s, and we are making three distinct models – a standard low-hood model, a standard high-hood model, and a PRR-type high hood model with different locations for the bell and horns.