When we released our first run of HO scale RS-11 locos we were bombarded by questions like “How come you didn’t do (insert your favorite roadname here) version?” As we found out early on, despite carrying the same “RS-11” designation, most road’s RS-11 locos had unique features. This makes them really neat for modelers, and a real headache for manufacturers! Maybe that explains why most of these have never been done in plastic before.

Many roads purchased RS-11s with a total of around 462 units produced. The largest customer was the Norfolk & Western with 99 units. However, the Pennsylvania RR signed on for 38 units, while the Nickel Plate took 35 and SP took 34. Other customers included the Delaware & Hudson, Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific, Lehigh Valley, Missouri Pacific, New Haven, Northern Pacific and the Seaboard Air Line. Commonly regarded as one of the most reliable of ALCo locomotives, examples survived in Class 1 usage well into the late 1970s, while many are still in use on short lines today.

The RS-11 could be set up for either freight or passenger service, with passenger units having a steam generator fitted into the short hood and a larger fuel/water tank beneath the frames. RS-11 units could be designated for either long hood or short hood forward operation. Some units, like the N&W’s, were provided with dual control stands and could be operated with either end forward. Over the course of RS-11 production there were many noticeable changes made to the design. These included variations in carbody filter quantities and sizes, fuel tank designs, cab window size and placement and many other small details.