The Alco RS-3 was one of the most successful first-generation road switchers ever built. With 1,600 HP and a versatile B-B wheel arrangement, these locomotives could handle everything from locals and transfers to mainline freights. When the Burlington Northern was formed in 1970, it inherited a small but distinctive fleet of RS-3s from its predecessors Northern Pacific, Spokane, Portland & Seattle, and former Great Northern units that had migrated to SP&S.
By the early 1970s, many of these RS-3s received Cascade Green paint with black roofs and sills and bold BN logos, making them compact but eye-catching members of the early BN diesel roster. They worked branch lines, secondary mains, and local freights across the Pacific Northwest and upper Midwest, often lingering in service long after larger power arrived.
Now, Sunset Models 3rd Rail brings these Burlington Northern RS-3s to O Scale 2-Rail and 3-Rail for the first time outside of brass, with a precision ABS shell, die-cast chassis, and fine brass detail parts that deliver museum-quality fidelity.
Road Numbers Offered — BN Cascade Green
All three are documented Burlington Northern RS-3s from the 1970s era:
BN 4054
BN 4056
BN 4064
Each locomotive is finished in BN Cascade Green & black with correct placement of logos, numbers, and safety lettering for freight service.
Model Features
• Precision ABS Plastic Shell with Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Fine Brass Detail Parts — grab irons, handrails, bell, horn, pilot hardware, and rooftop fittings
• Prototypical BN Details — correct Cascade Green/black layout, BN logos, number styles, beacon/antenna options, and era-appropriate details based on inherited NP/SP&S units
• Powerful Can Motor Drive for smooth, quiet performance in freight and local service
• All-Wheel Drive and Electrical Pickup
•Advanced electronics: 3R ERR Cruise/TMCC/Railsounds compatible with TMCC/Legacy/DCS, 3R Conventional for your choice of sound, and 2R ESU Loksound 5.0. Blunami is available as well
• LED Lighting Suite — headlights and number boards
• ERR Cruise is compatible with Legacy, DCS, TMCC, and Conventional control systems, Blunami is not and indepently operated through the iPhone or Andriod Apps.
Smoke is not available in 3R versions due to space constraints.
Early BN Road Switchers, Recreated in O Scale
The Burlington Northern RS-3s represent a fascinating transitional moment: classic first-generation Alco power wearing brand-new Cascade Green paint, working side-by-side with second-generation EMDs and GEs on a freshly merged mega-railroad. Their compact size, distinctive sound, and unique heritage from NP and SP&S make them ideal subjects for serious BN and Pacific Northwest modelers.
Reserve your Burlington Northern RS-3 today and add authentic early-BN road-switcher power to your O Scale roster.
Minimum of 20 needed to be reserved to build.
Photo courtesy of brasstrains.com
