Ho Alco Rs1 with Soundtraxx Tsunami Dcc

Today we're looking at an Atlas/Kato HO scale model of an Alco RS1, which I recently upgraded to DCC with Tsunami Sound. The RS1 was built by the American Locomotive works from1941-1952. The RS stood for "Road Switcher", and it was designed to serve both switching and light road duties hauling passengers and freight. This particular model represents the ATSF 2394, which served the Santa Fe from the early 1940s until the early 1970s. Today's model was built by Kato of Japan for the Atlas Tool Company of Hillside, NJ, about 1989. It offers great detail for that time, with textured radiator grills, rivets, door outlines, molded grab irons, lift rings, and other details. Minor cosmetic upgrades that I did included number decals for the number boards, and painting the smoke stack silver to match the prototype. Inside, I upgraded to surface mount LEDs for lighting, installed a Tsunami Soundcard, keep alive capacitor, and speakers. The tighter package made for some challenges, but in general, installation was similar to the Kato/Atlas GP7s. Let's go ahead and listen to the RS1 sound as I start it up, move it through the throttle steps, blow its horn, and ring its bell. Enjoy. > As you can see, that Alco RS1 by Atlas/Kato remains an excellent model, even now, more than 20 years after it was built. Thank you for watching. And we'll see you next time. Remember, half the joy of model railroading is doing it yourself.