The Alco RSD-5 was a 1,600-HP, six-motor road switcher designed for heavy freight, transfer work, and low-speed pulling power. Its C-C trucks and muscular Alco 244 engine made it ideal for the Pennsylvania Railroad, where a small roster of RSD-5s supplemented other road switchers during the railroad’s transition from steam to diesel.
The PRR assigned its RSD-5s primarily to western lines and division points where their tractive effort was most useful. While the railroad tested several Alco models in the early diesel era, only a very limited number of RSD-5s were acquired — making these locomotives some of the rarest diesel road switchers ever to wear Brunswick Green.
Now, Sunset Models / 3rd Rail brings these locomotives to O Scale for the first time outside of brass, featuring an ABS shell, die-cast chassis, and brass detailing that rival all-brass imports in appearance and presence.
Road Numbers Offered — Brunswick Green
These locomotives are represented in their classic PRR Brunswick Green freight scheme with gold lettering and keystone number plates:
#8446
#8449
#8451
This trio represents the full, extremely small group of RSD-5s rostered by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Model Features
• Precision ABS Plastic Shell with Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Fine Brass Detail Parts — handrails, grilles, pilot hardware, lift rings, MU details
• Accurate Brunswick Green Paint with PRR Gold Lettering
• Road-Specific PRR Detailing — correct lighting, handrail configurations, keystone plates, and PRR-style appliances
• Powerful Can Motor Drive for strong, smooth operation
• 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.
A Rare PRR Diesel — Finally done "A Cut Above" in O Scale
While the Pennsylvania Railroad rostered thousands of locomotives, the RSD-5s were exceptionally rare, used in select districts where their tractive effort could shine. Their limited numbers and distinctive Brunswick Green appearance make them some of the most desirable early PRR diesels to model.
This Sunset Models / 3rd Rail release brings them to life with unmatched accuracy, refined detailing, and premium O Scale performance.
Reserve your PRR RSD-5 today and add one of the most uncommon diesel locomotives ever to operate on the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Minimum 20 of are required to be reserved to be made.
Photo courtesy of Matthew J. Herson, Jr.-Lloyd Transportation Library
