The first plastic HO-scale example of this switcher is the very impressive for its time Hobbytown RS-3 model.

Just as the Hobbytown RS-3 was impressive for its day, a new standard was set by the Kato-made Atlas RS-3 first released in 1985. This Japanese produced Atlas plastic ready to run RS-3 is often quoted as the first of the modern or current era diesel models. It was a standard setter and is still among the Atlas offerings in HO, now in the Atlas Classics line. The recent examples come from China and are based on the original Kato tooling of the '80s.