New Lionel S2 Switcher causing derails

[bnfoat]

Lionel Product is number 28538, #553 Lionel ALCo S-2/S-4 Diesel
Switcher, Western Pacific. Purchased new in October of
2004.

The problem is when running on 031 track curves and 022
switches. The front or rear coupler of the switcher
hits the side of its cutout and causes the first car to derail
as the car exits the 022 switch.

I can recreate the problem by crossing through an 022
switch that leads to an 031 curve every time. The leading
truck on the first car will jump the track at the frog cutout as it leaves the
switch and the switcher coupler is up against the side frame.
I am looking for some type of fix or replacement parts for
this problem.

The problem will not occur if the first car has the type of coupler
that pivots. However, most of my pre-war Lionel rolling stock has fixed
type couplers. Anyone have any ideas? I have emailed Lionel Tech support but they say they've never heard of the problem before. For sure the switcher's coupler being up against its cutout is forcing the wheels of the first car off the track.

[daan]

May be you can make the cut out for the coupler a bit bigger on the S2 to allow more room for coupler swing? I also have this problem with one of the cars. It's couplers are fixed on the truck, but the length of that arm is too big. It should be pivotting as well.
I didn't tried it yet, but my idea was to use chain links from a small size and drill a few holes in the coupler arm. Then saw it apart and fit the chain link to make the coupler stay aligned in curves.. It's a nasty problem and not easy to fix.

[Anonymous]

What is the minimum-radius curve specified by the manufacturer for this locomotive?

I know the earliest "BEEP" locomotives, originally offered by Toy Truck Collector (TTC) also experienced this same kind of problem on O27 curves. RMT, the current maker, modified the pilots to make 'em track properly, and the newer models perform just fine.

[lionelsoni]

I had a similar problem with my postwar NW2s on O27 track. I just ground away the sides of the coupler slot, as Daan suggested, until there was enough swing.

[bnfoat]

Allan,

Lionel says that this switcher is designed for 031 curves and that is what I am using.

I guess the frog cut out on the 022 switch is where the derail is occurring. The pressure from the switchers coupler is forcing the wheels to ride up.

I hate to make any mods to the switcher and decrease its value. But in order to make it work I may have to do that. Lionel is not going to fix it! I think they should as it seems like a design problem. The switcher's coupler cutout is only 1.5 inch. On my old Lionel 624 switcher the cutout is 2".

Maybe I should start taking a look at modifying all my 022 switches to make them smoother at the point where the frog pivots.

[lionelsoni]

"Where the frog pivots"? Are you sure you mean "frog"? The frog is the casting at the point where the outside rails cross each other.

[bnfoat]

I guess I mean where the swivel rail seats. There is a cutout in the outside rail where the swivel rail seats when the swivel rail is in the curved position. That cutout is the spot where the wheel rides up and then derails.

I will try to "fill" or smooth that area.

How about Ross switches? Are there any rough spots on them that would cause a derail like this?

Thanks, Bruce

[Anonymous]

Hello Bruce, the problem is not with you switcher. I understand just what you’re your going through. The switcher is jumping through the switch and derailing. This happens on the inside only. I understand your frustration. I bought ten 072 switches in 1999 they work great pre,post or new trains. Then I bought ten more in 2004. These did the same thing yours are doing. These switches were some more new Lionel trash at 72.00 each. Lionel told me they don’t understand. They have had no complaints.(BS).This is why I spend a few thousand each year on pre and postwar only. While to make along story short. I bought more switches from 1999 on ebay they work fine. The date is on the boxes. If your ask at your local train shows they will understand what your talking about. Good luck Bruce.
Steven Prysok

[bnfoat]

Steven, all my 022 switches are post war from the 1950's. I have not purchased any new 022's because I had heard there were problems with them. The only engine that I have problems with is the new S2 and I am positive now that the lack of coupler swing is the culprit. If I follow the S2 with a post war car that has the fixed couplers it will derail 99.9% of the time. If I follow the S2 with a car that has pivoting couplers such as the Lionel 9268 Northern Pacific bay window caboose it will not derail. And, this happens on more than just one 022 switch where there is an 031 curve leading into it. It must have something to do with the short pivot of the coupler on the S2. My old Lionel blue,624 C&O switcher that has a much wider swing to its couplers is no problem at all.

Lionel tech support suggested that I place a half curve just ahead of each 022 switch, but my layout is so small I don't have the room.

I tried using an "idler" car with a pivoting coupler as suggested in another append and it seems to work. However, the only rolling stock I have with a pivoting coupler is the above mentioned caboose. It looks kind of funny to have the caboose right next to the locomotive as I am doing my switching operations. And then I loose the capability of the electro couplers on the S2.

Because of the small, fine hand rail detail on the ends of this locomotive, I can't make the opening any wider. I did try and grind a little off of the coupler and a little off the outside edge of the opening, but only gained 1/8" more of pivot. Not enough to help.

I wonder if Ross switches would be any better. Anyone with an extra left hand Ross switch that I can borrow to test with?

Thanks for the suggestions, Bruce

[lionel2986]

do the trucks turn freely? i have a k line s 2 switcher that derails. turns out the truck does not turn as freely as it should. i think the wires are not long enough. there is a motor on the actual truck and the wires that run to is are causing the truck to not turn freely if this makes sense, maybe your having the same problem?

[dwiemer]

I have the same problem with a Weaver GP38-2. I intend to use the articulated coupler on a freight car. May not look prototypical, but I don't care. I think Weaver has these couplers for sale.
Dennis