SUNSET MODELS 3RD RAIL ALCO RSD5 SANTA FE - 2 RAIL

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 

Zebra Stripe (Black & Silver) Scheme: A bold, high-visibility treatment from Santa Fe’s early diesel era, favored for transfer and secondary freight assignments.

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.

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.