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ALCO RS-11 LOCOMOTIVE PRODUCT GUIDELINES
Thank you for purchasing this model of the classic American road switcher, the ALCo
RS-11. For many years we had wanted to do this distinctive road switcher and in early
2020, we succeeded. The response from our customers was such that we just couldn’t
say no to a second run of this iconic classic. Being one of the most recognizable
locomotives on the rails from the 1950s onward, we bring you the results of our blood,
sweat and tears. We ran out of Jason’s blood, sweat and tears, so we had to sacrifice
those from all other employees to get this project finished. But rest assured no project
manager was harmed in the making of this RS-11. Much.
If this is your first Rapido locomotive, we must ask – why is this your first Rapido
locomotive? No seriously, we’ve been around now for almost 20 years and we’ve
produced an imperial ton of US products, like the E8s & PAs, NH EP-5 and FL9,
Amtrak F40s, Comet coaches, RDCs, FA-2s, B36-7s, X-3 tanks, GLa hoppers, USRA
boxcars, etc. So just for that, we’re going to make sure you LOVE your RS-11. And
then you’ll tell your friends you LOVE your RS-11. And then they’ll tell their friends.
And then we’ll be make even more RS-11s because everyone should have one!
If you are a returning customer, welcome back! Just put your engine on the track. All
we ask is you don’t intentionally set it on fire, don’t use it in a daredevil stunt or as a
lawn dart, and don’t MU it to anything made by Tyco. Oh, and REALLY keep it away
from cheap DC controllers. Crappy power packs can quickly and easily give any
Rapido locomotive an unwanted makeover…and not the good kind.
Our head office is in Canada so our model train manuals have usually been full of
beavers, maple syrup, and snow. We have made every effort to remove any Canadian-
isms from this manual, eh? There’s usually a good amount of humour through these
manuals anyway, so it’s always good to keep things on the lighter side. After all,
model railroading is supposed to be fun, whether you’re an experienced modeller or
just beginning! Dang it – humor doesn’t have a “u.” And modelers should only have
one “l.” Man, it’s only page one and we’ve already screwed up twice! Josh was the
one who wrote the first RS-11 manual and supervised this one. He obviously didn’t
learn anything so he’s fired...again!
As always, if there is anything amiss with your RS-11 please do not hesitate to contact
us. We stand by our products 100%. The best way to contact us is through email
Messenger Pterodactyl as well. Our contact info is at the back of this manual.
However, please do not send a faulty model back to us without first getting authorization.
You wouldn’t believe how many times we get a delivery of a broken locomotive with
only a name inside, meaning we have no idea what’s wrong with it! (Hey Rick – your
pantographs are still sitting on the shelf in our bathroom.) If it’s something simple – like
a loose grab iron – then we’ll likely tell you how to fix it yourself. While we generally
will support repairs to your RS-11 for a considerable length of time, please realize that
eventually the parts supply will run out. That, or Godzilla will obliterate the greater
Toronto area. Whichever comes first. Unfortunately, that will dictate when we can
no longer help you. Again, please make sure you contact us first so we can tell you
whether there’s enough parts (or people) left to do your repair.
