Lionel New York Central S2 - Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I am seeing these on sale for what seems like pretty good reductions and am thinking of making it my next purchase. Anyone have any thoughts on this locomotive, good or bad? Thanks.

[cnw1995]

I have also heard decent things about this engine - and its Railsounds 5.0 - it supposedly has a very realistic echoing horn. On the downside, I've heard there were some teething problems with wheels binding and jerky slow speed performance. I'll see if Bob reviewed one... Yes, here it is: http://www.trains.com/ctt/default.aspx?c=a&id=618

I think I can share these highlights:
"Visually, this model is a gem. Operationally, right off the bat it left something to be desired. In conventional-control or command-control modes, and with Odyssey speed control turned on or off, our sample S-2 repeatedly lurched slightly and backed off at any and all operating speeds. We suspected the drive mechanism was very tight, and we'd heard similar comments from owners of the nearly identical S-1 that Lionel released about two years ago."

"Pros: Heavy and fun, sounds terrific, easy top-side access to TMCC, RailSounds, and Odyssey switches, captures the look of the prototype

Cons: Our sample locomotive lurched continuously out of the box, but the lurching started to go away as the locomotive was broken in."

Looks like a winner.

[Bob Keller]

While we've run it since, oh, late 2005 I believe, the lurch has improved a bit, but it still has the power to really irritate. Great-looking model, though.

[chuck]

I set mine up on JAX stands and ran it for about 10 minutes in each direction at high, low and medium speeds (aka about an hour total).  I don't usually run with Odyssey enabled and have not noticed any significant problems with "lurching".  Unit is beautiful, sounds are great but it is a bit top heavy.  Do not try to run this engine at higher speeds on tight radius track, it will roll over.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I well remember that review, which in no small part prompted my question. Thanks for putting it up again.

It is a VERY fine looking engine which seems just the thing for switching operations.

[cbq9911a]

The S2 needs 042 curves.  It'll run on 031 curves but the coupler swing isn't wide enough for it to  pull anything.

[Anonymous]

The S2 needs 042 curves.  It'll run on 031 curves but the coupler swing isn't wide enough for it to  pull anything.

 

Hm. Thank you. That IS problematic. I envisioned using it on my interior frieght line, which is 031.

[ChiefEagles]

Talk to Jerry.  He told me the other day taht it took several hours of running to break in a steam engine.  He had one on the "test" track just running. 

[BlackJack]

I recently got a S-1 version of  this electric locomotive. It has railsounds 4.0 and sounds pretty good. I'm sure the 5.0 would sound even better. It is very well detailed and very solid and dense feeling (like a brick!). It is the best scale model that I have. I have it running on 036 fastrack. I've had it pull a K-line scale 40 foot (10 inch ) boxcar without any trouble.

 Surprisingly there doesn't appear to be cab lighting. And the headlamp isn't like a bright toy lamp either. So the locomotive doesn't make much light compared to other locos.

The mechanism does seem tight. It doesn't seem to have much if any flywheel action. Low speed is ok. In conventional, speed does vary between straights and curves. It does seem to lurch a little, but it seems to be getting better with breaking in. I wonder if the trucks on the ends play a role in this.

Overall, It is a nice modern interpretation in O gauge of a standard gauge classic. It's size and black paint make it a little hard to appreciate all the detail when on a layout-it really does make a nice desktop model. It is as heavy as a brick. For $350 it definetly is a good buy. The only real drawback IMHO, is that (at least the S-1) it occasionally finds the dirty spots /poor electrical connection in the rails. I don't have that problem with my other two pickup locos. And If you buy mailorder, see if they can ship the box in an extra layer of shipping material/container, as the model has easily bendable outside 3rd rail simulated pickups on the leading and trailing trucks.  If you look around the web, there are a few videos of the Lionel S-1, and maybe S-2 in action.

[arkady]

I recently (2015) bought one of these locomotives NIB, and posted my own review of it on another thread.  So I will add my comments to the ones BlackJack made in 2007:

BlackJack

 Surprisingly there doesn't appear to be cab lighting. And the headlamp isn't like a bright toy lamp either. So the locomotive doesn't make much light compared to other locos.

I agree, Blackjack.  That's why I'll be replacing the incandescent bulbs in mine with LEDs from Evan Designs.  As for cab lighting, the cab area behind the engineer/fireman figures is pretty well filled with PC boards, which is probably why it isn't illuminated.

The mechanism does seem tight. It doesn't seem to have much if any flywheel action. Low speed is ok. In conventional, speed does vary between straights and curves.

I've noticed this, too.  I attribute the speed variation on curves to the four traction tires on its fairly long wheelbase.

For $350 it definitely is a good buy.

That's what I paid for mine on the secondary market, and even in 2015, I still consider it a great buy.

The only real drawback IMHO, is that (at least the S-1) it occasionally finds the dirty spots /poor electrical connection in the rails. I don't have that problem with my other two pickup locos.

Yes, that's made itself apparent to me, too.  This locomotive is not at all tolerant of even moderately dirty track.  I've found that I can improve this by removing the roller assemblies (they come off easily with a single screw) and agitating them in acetone for a few minutes.  Possible, there was hidden crud or oil in the roller holes, as they came from the factory.  It doesn't entirely cure the problem, but it does improve things considerably.

I've been wondering if increasing the roller spring pressure might help further, and I'll look into this at some future time.