Straight out of the box.
In direct comparison with an P2K ALCO S-1 i missed:
- safety pattern on running boards
- the grab irons
- lift rings on hood
- riveting on roof top
- brake hoses
- no cab interior

But...
- For the price to be paid for this loco she is well detailed and done.
- Crisp and clean detail.
- Cab windows in line with cab walls.
- Fine detailed handrails with prototype apperance, made out of nearly unbreakable plastic.
- 2 flywheels
- Very smooth running.
- Very bright warm white LEDs front and aft, dimmable
- One of the best captured sounds of an ALCO turbocharged 539 diesel engine.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vvcl8wl80">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vvcl8wl80</a><!-- m -->
This is that what you hear really in the H0 modell too. All other sound decoders have not this distictive whistling of the turbocharger.
This is an OEM decoder and not all sound files are there as on an usual aftermarket Tsunami sound decoder.
Of course the most important sounds an soundfiles are acessible:
- exaust level
- choice of 3 horns
- horn level
- bell ring frequency
- bell level
- 8 notches can be programmed and attached to speed steps
- sound is either in DCC or in DC mode possible


Under the shell. This is a sound equipped loco.


The drivetrain. I seems to me this is a 100% complete new constructed model.



Here i have mounted the missing grab irons and lift rings.
I also removed the bonnet extension into the cab to create a see thru cab.

They can be easy bend out of 0.4mm brass wire. Only on the cab there are two handrails moulded on left and right besides the rear door. This i have removed with an sharp knive before drilling the mounting holes fir the new handrails.

In conclusion, this is not a high-end model, but this lower middle-class modell offers much opportunties for upgrading.
You get what you pay for.

Lutz

Thank for the review Lutz. It's good to hear this engine as enough strong point to be worth purchasing for upgrading and customing. It's how I like it! ;-)

Matt

Very nice engine, Lutz! Your review is very informative. This one is also DCC/Sound and just out of the box. I will be adding some detailing as you suggest, renumber it, and add some weathering. Thank you for posting your photos!

Here's a comparison shot of the Atlas/Roco S-4 from the 1980s:[attachment=10547]
I think the price then was actually comparable -- in the $40 range -- to the street price of the Bachmann. I like the SP lettering of the Atlas a little better than the Bachmann, though I can't fault the Santa Fe or WM lettering on the Bachmanns I have. The Atlas is an S-2 cab pretending to be an S-4 in this case, and the Bachmann has better pilot detail. Still, for a 30 or so year old model, it holds up pretty well.

Lutz;

Really appreciate your review of the Bachmann ALCo S-4. You've talked me in to purchasing one (should arrive today), even though I need yet another locomotive like a toothache! Only question now is which L&N paint scheme to use on it!

I have one of these on order. Are there dimples or any guide for the positioning of the front handrails?

Steve Williams Wrote:Are there dimples or any guide for the positioning of the front handrails?

Afraid not. The nose is smooth so I'll have to make some sort of template for installing them on mine. It is smooth running and it does sound just like the ALCo S-2/S-4 I operated on the F&C in the 80's. Over all, not a bad model for the price and with sound too.