Weaver RS3s

I can't answer you question about the shells, but I'm always on the lookout for these "lousy" chassis, keep me in mind if you want to sell it.

Here are some older posts, one does state Weaver put their older shell on a new chassis.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/old-weaver-rs3

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/weaver-rs3

Gene Anstine

It should "drop right in" - kind of. Mounting methods and screw holes are a question. I do not have either generation, but as they are certainly the same Weaver body tooling modeling the same prototype the only issues should be the mounting arrangements - nothing a model RRer can't fix.

Try looking at some photos on eBay of for sale vertical-motor types; maybe some chassis shots will give you a clue - but I'm sure someone here has more info from personal experience.  

Thanks to both responders-if I can find the more modern base version at a reasonable price, I will gladly give GA the older one as I have no use for it. I actually did originally send it to a store which supposedly had expertise/parts in fixing these units- it came back in worse shape that when i sent it  ;o(    O well-it was worth a try.    Thanks again-turtle7

I have both types, single motor and the China drive. The single is easier to control, has great power, and if kept clean runs better than the 2 motor drive. If one motor has problems you may not be able to run it.

Dick

I believe old and new Weaver shells interchange with slight mods but I had a different experience.  I owned an old Weaver Lehigh Valley RS-3 with the scale wheels and chain drive. I loved the graphics and paint but it was not able to negotiate some of the tighter curves on mylpayout that were around 039.  The engine sat in the box for years until one day I measured the Weaver cab against a new old stock Lionel RS-3 cab. They were extremely similar in size so I removed the Lionel cab, ground the chassis flat with a Dremel and then mounted the Weaver cab with two screws similar to the way the Lionel FM cabs are mounted. Later replaced the horn with an old Williams true blast, added another Lionel power truck  and the engine looks and runs great as a Lionel/Weaver hybrid.