This RS-1 Project is to build three Rutland RS-1’s for my layout. The RS-1’s were used on locals based out of Malone, New York in the 1950’s. Typically numbers 401, 403 and 405 were in rotation through Malone based on the locals AM-1/MA-2 and MO-1/OM-2. RRHS member Steve Mumley discussed during the 2012 Malone Convention how engines were rotated through Malone, starting off with AM-1 from Alburgh, Vermont. The engine would then work as the Malone Shifter, then go out to Ogdensburg as power on MO-1. It would then return the next day as power for OM-2, and then go out as power for MA-2, making the full circle. With three engines in rotation and each of the trains on a schedule of out one day, back the next, this schedule worked well.
One might ask why the engines were on such a rotation? The answer is simple, gas tax. The Rutland Railway, being a frugal outfit, would refill the diesels’ in Vermont where the fuel taxes were cheaper. New York State, even in the 1950’s, had much higher fuel taxes.
RS-1 #404 sometimes appeared in this rotation however #402 never did as it was equipped with a radio for switching in the yard at Burlington.
This build will chronicle the steps to building an RS-1, but as I have three in various stages of construction, the photos will be of the steps and parts, not the same locomotive from start to finish.
| This unit has a Soundtraxx Tsunami AT-1000 decoder installed, programmed for an Alco 539T Prime Mover and an S3 Leslie Horn.This started out as a C&NW RS-1 that was dipped and stripped. |  |
| I used a 16mm by 35mm mini-oval speaker mounted over the truck in the long hood. |  |