SUNSET MODELS 3RD RAIL ALCO RS3 RUTLAND - 2 RAIL

On the Rutland Railroad, RS-1s and RS-3s handled everything from bridge traffic and local freights to yard switching and branch line operations across Vermont and New York. Their combination of sure-footed performance, excellent visibility, and mechanical reliability made them ideal for the twisting grades, harsh winters, and light rail common across the Rutland system. By the 1950s and 1960s, these locomotives had become some of the most recognizable diesel power in northern New England.

Classic Rutland Appearance

Rutland Railroad locomotives were known for their clean, purposeful appearance, reflecting the railroad’s reputation for professionalism and efficiency. Finished in classic Rutland black with bold yellow striping and lettering, RS-1s and RS-3s projected a restrained but unmistakable New England identity.

Today, Rutland Alcos are especially prized by railfans and modelLers for their authentic regional character—diesels that worked hard in challenging territory and represented one of the most respected regional railroads of the Northeast prior to its 1963 shutdown.

Museum-Quality O Scale by Sunset Models 3rd Rail

Sunset Models 3rd Rail proudly brings the Southern Railway RS-3 to O Scale 2-Rail and 3-Rail, capturing the proportions, detailing, and mechanical character of this classic Alco with museum-level accuracy.

Each model is engineered for serious operators and high-end collectors, combining durable construction with fine-scale detail.

Accurately rendered Rutland black with yellow striping and lettering, matched to prototype photos and era-correct practices.

Each locomotive includes road-specific details reflecting actual Rutland variations, not generic Alco tooling.

Model Features

* Precision ABS Plastic Shell with Die-Cast Metal Chassis

* Fine Brass Detail Parts — grab irons, handrails, pilot details, MU hoses, lift rings, horns, and rooftop fittings

* Authentic Southern Railway Paint & Lettering — correct fonts, striping, herald placement, and era-specific finishes

* Road-Specific Rutland Details — lighting arrangements, horn placement, number boards, exhaust styles, and appliance layouts per prototype

• Powerful Can Motor Drive for smooth, quiet performance

• All-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel 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. • OEM Blunami Upgrade Option Available in both 2-Rail and 3-Rail

*OEM Blunami Upgrade Option Available for both 2-Rail and 3-Rail

*LED Lighting Suite — headlights and illuminated number boards

*ERR Cruise Compatibility: Legacy, DCS, TMCC, and Conventional control systems

Smoke is not available in 3-Rail units due to space constraints.