I got to see the Lionel Alco S-2 switch engine today. Didn’t get to handle it though, locked in a glass case. Anyway, my impression of the thing is WOW! Lionel’s body shell is great looking. The rivets on the cab looked big, but they were on the noticeable side of the prototype anyway. The Lionel number was the correct number for WP’s S-2 and the trucks were fantastic looking Alco Blunt trucks. The next surprise was the steps. They were attached and not swinging like the bigger engines in O gauge. The front of the pilot had a large hole for the dang tinplate coupler though. The hand railing was great looking too. Now, not having looked up its skirt to see what the wheels and gearing looked like, I would hesitate to pay the MRSP. If it could be remotored with a set of Weaver power trucks and a substitution of the side frames I might consider it. If it has the single horizontal motor and gear tower like the old Weaver RS-3 a substitution of NWSL wheels would be even better. So, with that in mind, I think Lionel’s S-2 might be a quick and easy source for a scale unit. Not having priced a brass unit in some time, it seems that it might be cheaper on the budget than a brass unit. From memory, I never did like the brass blunt trucks, but Lionel’s looked very good. Question. Has anyone seen one of these units to know what kind of motor is in it? Greg Elems
Here is a link to a picture on another forum. Lionel's catalog don't do it justice. http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?q=Y&a=tpc&s=63160042&f=57660482&m=26910131&p=2 Greg
Quite a change from the Lionel of my youth! Is that boxy exhaust stack specific to the WP as shown? I'm used to a different version on most S-2 models. Boxcab E50
The pictures I've checked show the boxy exhaust stack on the WP. I didn't get to see the S-2's in action very much, so that was a detail I didn't look at. The S-4's had the other stack. MTH is supposed to bring out an S-2, but they have the AAR type B switcher trucks, which makes it an S-4. Lionels has an attached steps and pilots while MTH will have a the swing steps and pilots. Lionel's sounds like it might be a reasonably easy job to 2 rail. Greg
Here is a poor view of the exhaust stack on an S-2 of which I am most familiar: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gn/gn2s.jpg Boxcab E50
Yep, that is the stack I thought of too, till I started looking at the WP pictures. The Tidewater Southern and Sacramento Northern both picked up a pair of MP S-2's and they had different stacks. One was like the GN unit, two were 0 shaped and one was round. They were even extended on some WP units too. Greg
Hi Greg!(you talk to me at OGR as Lehigh Valley Railroad, well used to) These S-2's and S-4's are great models. Very detailed and FIXED pilot!!
Hi and Welcome Lehigh Valley Railroad. I cycle into OGR at times. Good to see you here, maybe we'll talk more often. I tend to keep checking in here more often. I finially got to look at one up close and personal the other day. Just wondering what it would take to 2 rail one of those babies. Greg
