I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
good because they don't run slow, IE you have to keep them going at a
good clip.
Does anyone have one of these? Are they really that bad? Any idea
what they sold for originally?
Thanks,
Dave

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Bob May - 03 Jun 2004 18:46 GMT
The early stuff was basically toy train models and operated as such. 3 pole
motors and tall gearing often made the stuff run at very high speeds. In
addition, some had poor gearing that made a lot of noise which would make a
poorly adjusted Hobbytown loco sound quiet.
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Woodard R. Springstube - 03 Jun 2004 20:32 GMT
> The early stuff was basically toy train models and operated
> as such. 3 pole motors and tall gearing often made the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Losing weight is easy! If you ever want to lose weight,
> eat and drink less. Works every time it is tried!
They also had "pizza cutter" flanges, not the RP-25 flanges used
on nearly all modern models. These deep flanges would work with
code 100 rail, but would hit on the spike heads of code 70. I
don't know about code 83, but I would bet that you could have
problems there also. On the whole, I learned to stay away from
AHM 35 years ago. Their freight cars weren't too bad if you
replaced the trucks and put Kadee couplers on them; although,
they were a bit more crude than the contemporary cars.
Frank A. Rosenbaum - 03 Jun 2004 20:28 GMT
They also have rubber/neoprene traction tires that are hard to find now a
days.
If you want an RS3, spend the extra $$'s and buy a Kato or atlas or even
Stewart.

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> I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
> engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Dave
Bill - 03 Jun 2004 22:11 GMT
Dave wrote:
Any idea what they sold for originally?
--------------------------------------------------
Ads in a 1981 issue of Model Railroader has most AHM Diesels for around
$8-15.
Bill
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Jim Bernier - 04 Jun 2004 00:23 GMT
Dave,
Do not waste your money. The AHM engine was an RS-2. First came out
about 1970 with 4 wheel drive, and very poor body/handrails. Later came
out in the late 70's with 8 wheel drive, and somewhat better
body/handrails. This model had RP25 flanges, but the cheap motor was
still there. I bought a pair at the local discount place around
Christmas time, rebuilt the pilots and made them into CGW engines. Got
rid of them when Kato announced their RS-2 in the CGW delivery scheme!
Jim Bernier
> I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
> engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> http://DLW-SussexBranch.com
> Monomania can be a good thing
Trainman - 04 Jun 2004 01:00 GMT
> I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
> engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> http://DLW-SussexBranch.com
> Monomania can be a good thing
Crude detail, deep flanges, and poor runners. Very difficult to mount
Kadees.
If you can get them under 10 bucks apiece delivered, fine. Anything more,
not worth it.
Don
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Captain Handbrake@Atlantic Coast Line.com - 04 Jun 2004 02:28 GMT
Dave Rutan <rutan3@nac.net> wrote in message
news:5d458ff4.0406030901.77e07b3@posting.google.com...
>> I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
>> engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>> Thanks,
>> Dave
Strictly a toy train. If all you want is a toy train then they will do fine. If you
are interested in scale model railroading, that is, something more than just watching
a toy train go round and round at breakneck speed, then don't bother with the thing.
They are cheaply made, poorly scaled, poor runners and are not worth spending any
money on fixing-up. There are far better models of RS-2 and RS-3 locomotives on the
market than these.
Captain Handbrake
JCunington - 04 Jun 2004 04:14 GMT
>I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller.
They're good for practicing kitbashing if they're cheap enough...
Jay
The Canada Goose is living proof that birds have cross-bred with cattle and
rats.
Greg Forestieri - 04 Jun 2004 12:49 GMT
> I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
> engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Dave
To answer the question in your subject - Yes.
Dave Rutan - 04 Jun 2004 14:59 GMT
> I'm thinking about buying an AHM RS-3 from an online seller. The
> engine was made in the 1980s. A fellow modeler says they're not that
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Dave
Thanks for all your responses. It's unanimous, I'll leave it be.
Stuff like that is fine if it drops in my lap for free, but I'm not
paying money for it.
Dave