Hi folks,

We are actually looking for a new switcher locomotive for our Donohue Paper Mill. We actually use a Bachmann GE 44-Ton. The engine is nice but most of you know the questionable running qualities of this model. I could upgrade it but don't feel like putting more time and money on it. Adding sound to it is out of question too.

Thus, knowing Donohue swapped its 44-tonner for an ex-CP Alco S2, this is the locomotive I'm looking for. Main modification include rebuilding the cab roof which was shopped back then. No other big customization is needed excepting a good paint job.

Actually, one can find sound equipped S2 at very good prices. Bachmann and Atlas both released neat looking engine. I've have a sound-equipped Bachmann RS2 and was more than surprised by the quality of this entry-level model. According to reviews, it should be the same. I own several old Atlas S2 from the previous tooling. Hard working engines weighting a ton.

Actually, I'm leaning toward the Atlas engine because of its details and because I feel it should run very nicely like older ones. However, I'd like to know if any of you had the chance to compare both models first hand. Particularly the sound. The Bachmann engine had limited functions, that's a given. Alco sound is a particular thing and makes switching move interesting.

By the way, I'm not on a tight budget for this next acquisition, so the cost isn't a selling point this time.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Matt;

Can't speak for the Atlas model, but I do have one of the inexpensive Bachmann ALCo S-4 models and am very pleased with both its performance and especially the sound. Having worked on the real thing (both S-2 and S-4) I have to say they captured the sound right on the money. Especially like the turbo charger whistling sound. Of course the Bachmann model has limited detail, but easy enough to add grab irons and other details if you wish, as Bachmann simply omitted them rather than mold them on the body shell.

The decoder does has limited functions, directional headlights with off/on, three different horns, adjustable bell rate, etc. Right out of the box mine ran really smooth and didn't have to do any adjustments to the decoder. Little rascal will creep along and never stalls in my "dead frog" turnouts. The S-2 should be the exact same model with only a change from the AAR truck frames to the Blount frames.

Atlas is releasing the S2, new tooling and liveries in both sound and non sound in the next couple of months … <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.atlasrr.com/newho.htm">http://www.atlasrr.com/newho.htm</a><!-- m -->


..I've got 2 on order …one in CN


and one in one in Central Vermont

I have one of the older Atlas/Kato S-2s. While it's about a year too modern for my late '30s layout, it's hard to resist using it, as it's solidly-built and a really smooth runner. It formerly belonged to my son, who's no longer interested in trains. If I keep it, I'll probably upgrade the details and repaint it.

Here it is switching a car into GERN:






Wayne

I also just received an old atlas S2 in the Pennsy scheme. I'm planning to repaint it for Penn Central/ Conrail, though I'm not sure any of these even got a cr patch. That thing is heavy! TCS makes a drop in decoder for it.

Thanks guys!

I own several of the old Atlas S2. I feel you could smash the thing on the wall and get it back running without any serious mechanical issues (well, details are another thing).

So nobody among us saw the new tooling Atlas version in action, it's sound quality and general performance?

@FCIN: You confirm what I read over the net. Sound got to be dead on spot for switching engines IMHO. Do you think the decoder could handle a flashing beacon? My prototype has it and I really would like to duplicate this nice feature. If Bachmann decoder can't take it... it's a little bit less satisfying.

BTW, I just took a look at a few high quality picture of Donohue's switcher. What a strange beast. It is a ex-CP S2 that was reshopped. Among many modifications including the cab, the replaced the long hood fan by a EMD circular fan the kind you find on F-units. Original trucks were also replaced, which means it technically looks like a S4!

Good thing both S2 and S4 have the same guts! ;-)

Regards,

Matt

Matt...I don't think the new tooling Atlas S2 has hit the market yet....hopefully any day... But I could see us having to wait another month or two before we see them in our hands.

Genetk44 Wrote:Matt...I don't think the new tooling Atlas S2 has hit the market yet....hopefully any day... But I could see us having to wait another month or two before we see them in our hands.

Gene, in fact it did hit the market recently. It's readily available virtually anywhere. That's the reason why I'm surprised to see so little review about them.

BTW, that's the beast I'm trying to replicate.



Matt

well I haven't seen the most recent ones that Atlas announced last week, at any of the shops in Montreal yet. and walthers are showing them as June 2015 arrivals. These are available now <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2.htm#.VDlfad5iaTI">http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2.htm#.VDlfad5iaTI</a><!-- m -->

But these, which have the CN and CV that I want, won't be available until 2015 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2a.htm#.VDlf1d5iaTI">http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2a.htm#.VDlf1d5iaTI</a><!-- m -->

sailormatlac Wrote:

Genetk44 Wrote:Matt...I don't think the new tooling Atlas S2 has hit the market yet....hopefully any day... But I could see us having to wait another month or two before we see them in our hands.

Gene, in fact it did hit the market recently. It's readily available virtually anywhere. That's the reason why I'm surprised to see so little review about them.

BTW, that's the beast I'm trying to replicate.



Matt

For whatever it's worth, that's an S-4, although Bachmann and Atlas do those as well.

@Gene: Nice CN and CV locos indeed! Why CV is so addictive? It's been a while since I visited the shops in MTL, I'm always on crazy schedule when I go there.

@jwb, you're right and wrong at the same time. According to the trucks, yes, but it is a S2. For my modelling purpose, getting a S4 would be the best choice and that makes your point right. I could also swap trucks from a S2 if they are still compatible with Atlas new tooling.

It started as CP 7098 back in August 1949. Serial Number 76491.
Sold to Merrilees, a rail supplier and locomotive reseller based in Ontario and Quebec.

According to CPR Diesel Locomotive roster website:

Quote:Notes : Built by MLW (1949), retired (12/1982), sold to A. Merilees (1985). Sold to Donohue Bros., Clermont QC. (1985). Cab roof lowered for mill clearances, and renumbered to #1079.

Here's a picture of this switcher as delivered. Another good reason to model it!

http://www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20...1079-1.jpg

Why trucks were replaced by Merrilees, no idea.

Matt

@jwb: I've been looking around at other CPR rosters. Even more confusing.

Canadian Industrial Locomotives roster says a S2.
Mountain Railway's roster says S2. CPR paint scheme shows the loco with Blunt trucks, the Donohue one with Bloomberg. BUT, their database page says it should be a S4.
Trainweb.org's roster says S4, and picture of sister's unit 7099 is indeed a S4.

Any CPR fan can tell us more about that!

Now, for that matter, all I care is that Donohue's unit had Bloomberg trucks and I'll stick with that!

Matt

Matt....I don't have any Central Vermont stock....but I'm sure I can find a use for the loco....plus I find that particular livery quite interesting. Besides, I really like the smaller switchers.

sailormatlac Wrote:@jwb: I've been looking around at other CPR rosters. Even more confusing.

Canadian Industrial Locomotives roster says a S2.
Mountain Railway's roster says S2. CPR paint scheme shows the loco with Blunt trucks, the Donohue one with Bloomberg. BUT, their database page says it should be a S4.
Trainweb.org's roster says S4, and picture of sister's unit 7099 is indeed a S4.

Any CPR fan can tell us more about that!

Now, for that matter, all I care is that Donohue's unit had Bloomberg trucks and I'll stick with that!

Matt

According to the CPR roster in Rail Canada Vol. 3, numbers 7096, -97, -98 were all S-2s (CPR class DS-10j) and were the last ones built. CPR 7099, also built in 1949, is shown as a separate listing and is an S-4 (CPR class DS-10k). The next listing is for S-4s 7100-7108 (DS-10k), 7109-7114 (DS-10m), and 7115-7118 (DS-10n).

It's my understanding that the main spotting difference between original S-2s and S-4s is the Blunt trucks on S-2s and AAR switcher trucks on S-4s - someone may have noticed the re-trucked version and mistakenly dubbed it an S-4. Evidently, the late version of the S-2 body was almost identical to the S-4 - obviously an evolution of the original design, as some early S-2s had horizontal intake louvres for the radiator.

It's also not unusual for the owner railroads to make modifications to locos over the years. Perhaps Merilees (a dealer in used locos and rolling stock and also a real rail enthusiast) had an S-4 with a clapped-out prime mover but good trucks/traction motors and the CPR loco needed only the trucks/traction motors to make it into a saleable loco.

Wayne

This happened elsewhere -- the Bachmann S-2 lettered for US Army at some point got AAR trucks and went to the Alaska Railroad. I've heard various things about S-2s having rivets on the cab sides and S-4s not (or maybe the other way around), but I don't believe either Bachmann or Atlas/Roco made any changes for this.