Atlas introduces the Kato-made ALCO RS1 in late 1987. The Atlas RS1 is reviewed by Model Railroading magazine in its Performance Test Report in the November 1987 issue. The first release included the very interesting image of a Gulf Mobile & Ohio with New York City's skyline as a backdrop. Atlas does point out the use of a "special modeler's license in creating this non-prototypical scene. The initial collection of RS1 diesels included: Rock Island, Santa Fe in freight blue and yellow with two roadnumbers, Pennsy with two roadnumbers, Soo Line, New York Central with two roadnumbers, Chicago & North Western, Baltimore & Ohio, New Haven, and Gulf Mobile & Ohio. The issuing of multiple roadnumbers was a fairly new concept in '87, when this model hit the market. Atlas proclaimed the first RS1 production was a quick sell out and early 1988 saw a second release: KCS, Spokane Portland & Seattle, Santa Fe in early Zebra Stripe scheme, NYC in black with Lightning Stripe, Ann Arbor, Rutland, Amtrak, Southern, Central of New Jersey and the two versions of Undecs. A set of five RS1 models was part of the Atlas 1989 product line offerings: Great Northern, Milwaukee Road, Susquehanna in maroon & gray, more Santa Fe in Zebra scheme with two roadnumbers.