The Alco RSD-5 remains one of the most distinctive six-axle road switchers ever built — a locomotive that blended traction power, rugged Alco reliability, and visual presence. Its C-C truck arrangement and 1,600 HP 244 prime mover made it equally capable on heavy freight drags, transfer service, and secondary mainlines.
On the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, six-axle power was a staple of system-wide freight and transfer work. Two of Santa Fe’s most memorable paint families — the high-contrast Zebra Stripe and the bold Blue & Yellow “Bookend” freight scheme — highlight the era when Alco road switchers helped define the look of diesel freight power across the nation.
Now, Sunset Models 3rd Rail brings these classic Santa Fe RSD-5s to life in O Scale 2-Rail and 3-Rail with tooling that rivals brass in detail and presence, combining an ABS plastic body, die-cast metal chassis, and fine brass detailsfor true museum-quality appeal.
Paint Schemes & Road Numbers Offered
Zebra Stripe (Black & Silver)
A bold, high-visibility treatment from Santa Fe’s early diesel era, favored for transfer and secondary freight assignments.
ATSF 2152
ATSF 2135
ATSF 2155
Blue & Yellow “Bookend” Scheme
A classic freight paint scheme featuring bright yellow ends (“bookends”) with deep blue bodies and large Santa Fe lettering, widely recognized across the 1970s freight roster.
ATSF 2122
ATSF 2129
ATSF 2140
Each roadnumber in both schemes is finished with accurate paint placement, fleet lettering, and era-specific details to match Santa Fe’s distinctive freight branding.
Model Features
• Precision ABS Plastic Shell with Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Fine Brass Detail Parts — handrails, grillework, lift rings, horns, rooftop fittings, and pilot hardware
• Road-Specific Santa Fe Detailing — correct light packages, horn and antenna layouts, number board treatments, hood and pilot features unique to each unit
• Powerful Can Motor Drive for smooth, quiet performance under heavy freight consists
• 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.
Santa Fe Six-Axle Power, Now in Premium O Scale
From the striking contrast of Zebra Stripe to the bold primary colors of the Blue & Yellow Bookend era, the Santa Fe’s six-axle Alco road switchers represent one of the most iconic chapters in American diesel freight history. Their combination of functional excellence and memorable paint made them fan favorites from coast to coast.
With this release, Sunset Models 3rd Rail delivers the first O Scale production of Santa Fe RSD-5s outside of brass, giving modelers the detail, performance, and visual impact they’ve long desired.
Reserve your Santa Fe RSD-5s today and add classic ATSF freight power to your O Scale roster.
Photo courtesy of brasstrains.com and americanrails.net
