It Crawls Like Molasses! Lionel ALCO S-2 Switcher

Today I'm reviewing the new 3-Rail O-Scale ALCO S-2 Switcher from Lionel. Enjoy!
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[@Ericstrains]

Enjoy this video folks. I believe the next locomotive review will be for the Lionel 4-6-6T tank engine. Enjoy!

[@kyletrummel69]

Can't wait for that one!!

[@jackhollandthe3800]

Sounds interesting

[@mistermadmachine6311]

I wonder what it looks like

[@jordandorsett3106]

I think I seen 1 before

[@jordandorsett3106]

On Ebay

[@Blur4strike]

I appreciate O-Scale for what it is, and I'm saying that as an N-Scale modeler. It's large, packs features that might be hard to pull off in N-Scale form (smoke units), and brings a smile to everyone's faces.

[@gravelydon7072]

Oh you can pull off smoke units in N Scale, once. ;-)

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@Blur4strike]

@@Ericstrains You're welcome.

[@Karat260]

Erics trains: This knife is awesome. Me: No it’s massive.

[@Ericstrains]

Ha thanks!

[@mistermadmachine6311]

Come on That’s not a knife

[@mafucow]

I remember fondly watching your videos as a five/six year old. Your channel will always hold a spot in my heart!

[@Mnnti.]

we have 2 over here on the Oc&t railroad in pennsylvania sweet little locos

[@doubleutubefan5]

where is OC&T? I'm in central PA

[@Mnnti.]

@@doubleutubefan5 In Titusville Pa

[@IansTrains]

Beautiful color on the unit

[@Ericstrains]

Yep!

[@paulkhoury3160]

Amazing. It really sounds like a real Alco! Pretty cool you can bring it to run 8 in idle. All the stuff I've been missing since I last played with TMCC 20 years ago.

[@danielrichter5066]

This is a nice little switcher. I have the TMCC version with the same drive - works very well. I don’t know if they changed the insides (besides the boards) but, if you open it, you will find it challenging to get everything back inside the narrow hood. My big complaint about both Lionel and MTH versions is that it is the wrong engine sounds. It appears that the sounds are the 244 engine, not the 539T. The 539T used a Buchi turbocharger which had a very distinctive whine. Listen to some of the KZbin videos of the S2’s in action and you will hear the difference.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@gravelydon7072]

If you didn't hear the whine, the engine wasn't running. ;-) Or someone slipped an S-1 or S-3 in on you. It doesn't really sound like a 244 either as it doesn't have the lope and rattle like the one I also ran had. Might be closer to a 251.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

I actually have a WABCO A2 long bell horn that came off a scrapped B&O ALCO S2. Bought it from a train show in MD for only $300. Planning to soon have it restored and installed on my car by the end of the year. Great looking model I must say.

[@bernardsaucier2062]

Eric, you do a fine job of describing this models key points. Thanks!!

[@Ericstrains]

Thank you!

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

I overlooked one of these in my favorite road name the other day in a train store... I'm gonna go back and get it.

[@maxnash8450]

3:25 Saftey first why be reckless? *Reckless rates drop to zero*

[@chickenchuggets6395]

Noice

[@brodster7042]

Noice

[@trezjr73]

Nice review of a nice engine. Fixed end steps. Slow speed control (for more appropriate prototypical "crawling"). Let's hope Lionel views this and gets some Alco sounds on them in future batches. Mr. Muffin is coming out in 2024 with a custom Delaware & Hudson version I have my eyes on.

[@mhgs13]

Great review Eric. Love the speed control. Just kind of wished Lionel Matched their horn sounds up a little better with the locomotive.

[@gravelydon7072]

The engine sound is all wrong too. If you've ever operated a real S-2 you would know what is missing. ( Hint 1, where's the lope? Hint 2, where's the Buchi turbo sound. ) And from the factory, an S-2 had a mechanical governor that was directly controlled by a hand throttle. There were no steps in the engine RPM. Later, engines like our RS-1, were modified to have an 8 step throttle. An original S-2 had to have the Generator Field Switch pulled when parked and running because if you bumped the throttle out of its stop, the loco would silently creep off and the vibrations of the engine running could cause the throttle to slowly open. Ours had the most obnoxious single note horn. Which is a good thing at a grade crossing. ;-)

[@mhgs13]

@@gravelydon7072 While it maybe that the engine sound is off somewhat. To the general model railroader they are not going to worry to much if it has a 244 or a 539 engine block. As long as it sounds like an Alco. But, when you are looking at a locomotive and you hear the sound of a multi-chime air horn and all you see is a single-chime air horn. That's bothersome

[@wildcatindustries8030]

Can’t remember if it’s an S2 or S4 but we had a switcher for a coal loading plant that was re-engined with a CAT prime mover. Surprisingly nice locomotive for those that used it.

[@thecannoneer5850]

You know I love model trains but I don’t have the space nor the money to buy and use them . So I watch channels like yours to kind of experience what it’s like to use model trains. And I thank you for making these videos. :) Edit fixed spelling

[@Ericstrains]

That's what I'm here for!

[@LRSX]

Thats a nice engine, I just ordered a lionchief gp38 starter set for under our Christmas tree. I felt the lion chief gp38 was the nicest looking cheap engine set they have available. The Santa fe set you reviewed while back was also a nice set for the money. Take care!

[@trainlover9943]

Very nice! Like that this has fixed pilots unfortunately the MTH S2s I have don't have that feature.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@biscuitag97]

Great review! Love these switchers. FYI the cab roof is removable for the master volume switch. Just be careful taking it off as you have to slide the headlight housing out. It’s in the manual too. May be a cool way to add interior detail!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks, I didn't know that!

[@nullerp]

I loved that camera shot at 16:00

[@sort187]

It appears that there's one horn bell sticking out of the front of the cab, yet the horn sound would suggest multiple horn bells.....hmmmm.....

[@gravelydon7072]

We could get two notes out of single horn. Bad and worse. If you knew the horn and valve combination you could get more than one note out of them. Just took practice but any you got were usually the most obnoxious ones you'll ever hear.

[@RobertJohnDavis]

I agree @d&m 241. For the cost of these models, having the right horn sound for the locomotive as detailed is small effort with a big payoff. Other than the steps, it’s a very nice looking model. Glad to see Lionel playing with a drive train more common in other scales.

[@train-addict4656]

Like the reverb on the Horn.And yes Lionel has the Best slow speed operation.Being a fan of MTH this was always a issue....Nice review.

[@superwarp12]

Same gearing as my SW-7, I love it for switching.

[@honeychops5918]

Nice boxcars too! lightly weathered they look great

[@CSXtrackworker]

Horn sounds wrong for the style that is on the cab and sounds more like an EMD 567.

[@pokemonpreadythepokemonmaniac]

Great review, Eric! Now you have another switching locomotive to your fleet.

[@PennsylvaniaRailProductions]

Hey Eric, Great Review and that's a sweet unit!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@darriusstrainsthings5736]

I'm thinking about getting the Northern Pacific or the Southern Pacific version. But anyways, awesome review Eric. Keep them coming!

[@Ericstrains]

Cool!

[@iler1998]

Good afternoon, Happy Thanksgiving! I just found your channel just researching Lionel trains for my son. Really enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@Per-MichaelJarnberg]

I have a 2003 Lionel Northern Pacific S-4 722 6-28530 in black with yellow on the sides and I love the low speed. I wish it would have Bluetooth,

[@alexlife470]

I think your models are beautiful

[@frankierailfan4014]

I need to start saving some of my money for a nice Lionel switcher

[@MLWQC]

Very nice model

[@Trainiac]

Awesome locomotive! Thanks for the Review!

[@christherailfan5851]

Lionel should make a Staten Island Rapid Transit ALCO S-2

[@EssDee40]

I have an HO scale one for BN

[@felixthetrainfan4819]

Looks so Awsome :D

[@davidstrainsandlego]

Seeing as its 0-36 compatible I should get one

[@MarkInLA]

I don't care for 3 rail O but was curious due to title...What do you mean " Six pilots" ? I count 2; one on each end. Or, 4 if you split them for the couplers..And, why replace couplers with scale ones if the track is toyish ? I haven't looked at 3 rail in decades and must admit, the detail on the cars and engine are quite impressive !! Nice weathering, too !! But, $500.00 for a switcher !! Whoa !! I'll stick with HO !....... To be fair though, I completely understand and respect the love you and O, 3-railers have for these trains and do not consider myself any better a train person than you..Just to love trains, any trains, is enough.... M, Los Angeles

[@TailsFan369no2]

That sign is so fitting

[@Zman_1123]

What a beauty

[@davidstimac2485]

Killer paint job. It should have a Nathan M3 horn. It also should sound like an Alco, not an EMD. I hope you can download the correct sounds for that price.

[@texhaines9957]

Didn't even see these advertised in the model Railroad press. And NYSW is available.

[@readingrailroadfan7683]

Hi

[@mariebcfhs9491]

All of the oddities of O gauge came from the fact it originated from toy train sets which is absolutely fine, no hate on that. I just love O gauge for what it is. That's why fine O scale models exist, for the rivetcounters

[@russellloomis4376]

That's awesome Eric I actually had to turn down the volume when you started it up.😂😂

[@Ericstrains]

Awesome!

[@TobyPasman]

I’ve seen an S2 switcher in the harbor of Panama City, Florida. I believe I have a picture of it on my iPhone

[@jackhollandthe3800]

I think we can all agree even model alco engines sound amazing.

[@paulhare662]

Sound is nice, needs way more smoke

[@cool1800lemonlaw]

I have a dt&i switcher from the 70’s or 60’s

[@timothydemarco3525]

Love the video

[@MattsTrainsTractors]

That’s what I call slow crawling!! Another great review, Eric. Lionel’s 2019 Vol. II has a great selection. Unlike their 2020 catalogs

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@reversecloak550]

I have a good train its the Pheobe Snow and is a Erie Lackawanna it ran between scranton PA and Hoboken Nj it can be very expensive as my dad has one but they are very nice trains (I believe it was an alco)

[@markcinque6786]

Now that is a nice Locomotive,19:23

[@Chessie1985]

Awesome review Eric!!!

[@CoalChrome]

they really didn't capture the chug of the ALCo inline 6 well

[@Shipwright1918]

Another good 'un, Eric. Personally looking forward to seeing the "History of O Gauge-Or Why We Have Three Rails and All the Other Oddities" video if and when you make it.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@roccomanginelli9498]

Cool knife, the locomotive is interesting

[@badlll69]

Wow thats cool!!

[@dennisfly1]

Nice thanks for sharing.

[@coliningels7574]

Who else wants him to work on his moc/rooms more

[@boblandess9349]

I agree ... a really pretty engine ...

[@brandonseyfried1251]

Well done review. I'm with the others, in that it didn't sound like an Alco horn. That wouldn't be a deal breaker, though.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks

[@mistermadmachine6311]

*sees caboose: keep on truckin with trains* Me:👍

[@Porschedude8]

Very nice! 👏😌

[@henryszubielski8601]

Wow that is nice!

[@davidd463]

Nice model and good review video. Question, can the sound in this model of loco be changed to accurate sounds for this type? Thank you!

[@conraillock1299]

I have the alco s-2 santa fe command control and boy does it run like a chicken and no slow speed in it

[@arduous1914]

Do you ever have to worry about flooding in your basement? I know Atlanta is more inland Georgia. But it could still be hit by a hurricane right? I live in Virginia and I have to worry about, well I actually don’t even have a basement because of flooding.

[@Ericstrains]

No I don’t worry too much about it. I’m not in a flood prone area. I have the layout off the floor by about 6 inches just in case my water heater leaks or a pipe bursts, but that’s about it.

[@arduous1914]

@@Ericstrains oh ok cool! That’s nice to know that I won’t have to worry about that awesome layout being destroyed!😁

[@jeremylando40]

I would have jumped at an ho version of this in Lehigh New England or Lehigh Valley

[@ErikVince]

I see what you mean by they make them to go really slow it is really like molasses

[@HappyHands.]

wow you don't usually see people running O scale so slow :D

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

hola buenas tarde muchas gracias por subir el video abrazo grande

[@benjamincamp4568]

Am I wrong or does the cab door open when you start the locomotive?

[@boylesterminalshops6841]

With time comes change I guess, but I do miss the “Hi I’m Eric Siegel with ericstrains.com!” intro format

[@Ericstrains]

Ha, yeah. Back in the day

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Here it is theymake you pay for the electronics and the engine sounds are incorrect as well as the horn sounds as well. For the price that they charge it is a small detail to get the engine sounds correct but they can't be bothered. For the price that they charge it should have the correct sounds to go with the locomotive.

[@stopsign997]

As someone who grew up with HO I’d love a O-Scale explanation video!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@richardsobieck9660]

another fine job! A quick question, who makes that Ontario Northern Box Car? I couldn't see a built by marking.

[@Ericstrains]

It was made by MTH

[@richardsobieck9660]

@@EricstrainsThank you sir!

[@aj_gaming136]

Those are emd sounds.

[@henryhamann5212]

sweet

[@escape150]

I use a steak knife to open my boxes, does the same thing as. $50 knife 😁😆

[@budw.8362]

Really great filming! New HD camera?

[@katerinakittycat3849]

Are you planning on doing a 2020 Christmas Bonanza? It's almost that time of year again

[@scotabot7826]

Lionel should really change the color shades of their headlights. What they use now in very unrealistic. They need more of a Sunny White shade to look correct. They should know that blueish tent to their headlights is horrible.

[@firebuffandrewphotography]

Hey Eric I just got a new Lionel train myself idk how to program it can u help me

[@northcoast261]

What is the name of the song used in the video?

[@drgwnut]

Did Lionel have the correct horn installed for this? Sounds like a dual horn, but I only see a blaster type mounted.

[@Ericstrains]

I don't know. I'm not a horn expert.

[@scr2392]

Hey Eric what’s the s longest train you’ve pulled on your layout

[@WTank109]

this is a Question that I've been wondering I Have a new york special Niagra the Lionel Century Club And the plastic drive shaft broke does anyone know were I can find that part I'm having a hard time finding it also Great Video

[@Broncort1]

Call Lionel

[@tjprptchable]

Awsome video Eric, I wold love to get this switcher but in the B&O paint scheme do they have that?

[@peteprizzi8508]

Great review! I hope Lionel offers an S-2 in S Gauge. Although the catalog said these were only offered as "Built To Order". Don't know if they were part of regular production?

[@Orion12113]

Because what kind of a man are you without hundreds of trains AND a Swiss Army knife collection?

[@adamzap5507]

That’s my only beef with Lionel. I’ve been blue and orange my whole life and probably forever will. This model looks incredible, but then you blew the horn, I’m just tired of Lionel using that same horn that multiple engines I have use, and it’s even more for you Eric. I guess we all just have to tolerate it, but it is getting a bit old.

[@40belowful]

you need too do knife reviews to :)

[@edwinsinclair9853]

Horn sound is wrong as unit only has single horn! Sound is for a multi horn set. Otherwise a nice model.

[@lackawannarailfan5206]

Great video Eric! Do they have any Lackawanna?

[@gregleuze6657]

Yes, they have a Lackawanna.

[@lackawannarailfan5206]

@@gregleuze6657 Oh thanks!

[@gregleuze6657]

I just picked up the Lackawanna version today. I like that it has all the features of the regular engines. Wish it was a little faster. Saw pictures of them pulling passenger cars in some vintage videos. Love watching the vintage Lackawanna videos.

[@lackawannarailfan5206]

@@gregleuze6657 Nice! That must be a great locomotive! Did you see the Lackawanna Steam locomotives going across the Delaware River Viaduct? That is my all time favorite!

[@gregleuze6657]

I watch any video that I can find. I picked up an E8 just before Christmas. Was awesome when I found a period picture of the same engine E8 number 810. Picked up the switcher because I had to exchange the Lackawanna TrainMaster that I picked up. I have only had it open for 24 hours and two pieces already fell off it. The Universal Remote did not work on it either.

[@Mnrr6131]

0:39 normally I wouldn’t say this( I’m black and fear that anything I say is gonna get misinterpreted)

[@Ericstrains]

What?

[@W4BIN]

Nothing looked real, where is all of the graffiti? Ron W4BIN

[@chriscomoglio7806]

First time ever first

[@rennethjarrett4580]

Eric, Not your fault but to me the sounds on this loco as well as many other modern locos sound like a digital recording of a train and that recording includes a echo. This make it sound like it is not coming from that train engine but from a train on the other side of the layout. The sounds are well detailed, but that echo/hollow sound is just wrong. The engine sound on this one seamed pretty good, but still like it was a engine farther away, but the horn, and bell were worse. Crew talk is to loud as well, in fact the crew talk makes it more like a child's toy then a mans hobby. A whistle in the engine or tender and sound coming from a direct even electronic sound system like they were in the 1970's and 1980's is more likable; due simply because it does not have the weird echo/hollow sound, even tho these modern ones are more true to the real sound type, the echo/hollow sound ruins it..

[@paradisefilms3355]

Why would anyone care what knife you use to open a box???? Nice looking engine. Too bad it's a three rail Lionel.

[@joewilson2258]

so you got a chinese pile of junk for lionel . WOW .