I bought this model (Erie 528) on sale from Model Train Stuff for under $50, and I am pleasantly surprised. There are no grab irons, molded or otherwise. Also, there are no air hoses or much other pilot detail. The handrails and coupler levers are superb. Coupler levers and the radiator walkway are separately-applied details. The finish is very good. The model disassembles easily. It has the plug for DCC atop the PCB, as well as an enclosure for a speaker. The directional L.E.D. headlights are the correct dual Pyle type horizontally oriented for an Erie S-4, and they function very well. According to the instruction sheet, there are two other headlight configurations depending upon the prototype. There is no cab interior detail. My model came with the wheelsets properly gauged and Kadee-compatible magnetic couplers.

This model should be a breeze to detail and weather. It runs very, very nicely. The mechanism operation is smooth right out of the box, and has improved steadily over the six weeks or so I have been playing with this model switching locomotive. Sergent couplers intended to replace Kadees drop right in. This model is not as heavy as the Atlas S-2, but it is heavier than the Proto 2K S-1.

I really like this model because it's easy to take apart/put back together, requires no carving of molded grabs/other detail, runs well, and is set up for easy conversion to DCC with sound. I think this is a very nice model. If you're looking for a neat yard-power project, this Bachmann S-4 may be worth a look.

O.k. eje, i agree.

Several weeks ago we had a discussion about it.
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Is it possible for you to show us a photo of the PCB of the non sound equipped ALCO S-4?

Lutz

The PC board is pretty vanilla, with the plugs and jumpers. There's nothing too small to work on, so I think it's a good design. Note the small speaker enclosure above the lead truck to the left.

I did debate briefly with myself regards putting this info on the existing Bachmann S-4 thread; I decided selfishly to do a new thread to accommodate actual detailing and customization of my stock model which has neither DCC nor sound. I hope y'all don't mind that I started a new thread for this. Ric

Thank you eje.

I much prefer missing detail (but correct body shape) to moulded on detail. If you are going to produce a budget model this is the way to go.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still in the air about the correct location of the bell. From images on George Elwood's magnificent 'site, it appears the Alco-type bell is located toward the forward edge of the sand-fill roof panel to the right of the centerline. It also appears there is a short fabricated bracket upon which the bell assembly mounts, I presume to make it level. By chance does anyone here have info regarding the bell location on an Erie S-4? Thanks! Ric

The bell could be on top of the hood as a railroad option, but most of the time it was beneath the cab. It was beneath the cab on the Erie units.