The ALCo RS-3 was one of the most versatile first-generation road switchers built, with 1,600 HP and a flexible B-B wheel arrangement that made it equally capable on branch freights, yard transfer service, and mainline locals. On the New Haven Railroad, RS-3s were core members of mid-century diesel power — handling everything from interchange freights to branch assignments across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
New Haven’s distinctive paint treatments further set these locomotives apart:
Pullman Green and Orange, a classic New England scheme with vibrant accents that reflected the line’s corporate livery in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
McGinnis scheme, a bold variation named for the railroad’s president in the early 1960s, featuring modified stripe work and distinctive color balance that stood out on Northeast rails.
Sunset Models / 3rd Rail now brings these iconic New Haven RS-3s to O Scale for the first time outside of brass, with rock-solid engineering, ABS plastic shell, die-cast chassis, and fine brass detail parts worthy of museum-quality presentation.
Paint Schemes & Road Numbers Offered
Pullman Green and Orange
Classic NH paint with deep Pullman Green body and bright orange accents on the nose and cab area, paired with black lettering — a favorite among New England modelers:
NH 537
NH 541
NH 550
McGinnis Era Scheme
A distinctive mid-century livery applied later in these locomotives’ careers, featuring a refined stripe layout that highlighted the railroad’s evolving visual identity:
NH 546
NH 553
NH 558
Each version is finished with accurate striping, number placement, and period-correct details and steam generators based on prototype evidence and historical rosters.
Model Features
• Precision ABS Plastic Shell with Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Fine Brass Detail Parts — including rooftop fittings, horns, handrails, pilot details, MU connections, and grille frames
• Authentic New Haven Paint & Lettering — correct Pullman Green/Orange and McGinnis placements per roadnumber and era
• Road-Specific New Haven Details — headlight types, number boards, horn/antenna combos, and brake stencils unique to each locomotive
• Powerful Can Motor Drive for smooth, quiet, reliable 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.
Classic New England Diesel Power, Done "A Cut Above" in O Scale
The New Haven RS-3s are quintessential examples of Northeastern freight diesel power — compact, strong, and dressed in some of the most memorable paint schemes of the era. From the striking Pullman Green/Orange to the bold McGinnis freight look, these road switchers bring a blend of character and utility to any layout set in the 1950s–1970s era.
With this release, Sunset Models / 3rd Rail delivers the first non-brass O Scale production of these New Haven icons — combining accuracy, detail, and performance for serious modelers.
Reserve your New Haven RS-3s today and add classic Connnecticut-era diesel power to your O Scale roster.
Minimum of 20 of each road needed to be reserved to build.
Photo courtesy of brasstrains.com
