1946 2020 S-2

[jwse30]

 Another tender to consider is the 6466w. This tender uses the same shell as the 2020w, and is generally more affordable because Lionel made lots of them.

 

J White

 

[jahwz]

 A big thanks to everyone, I have learned a ton from this thread!

I did switch the plug from  one jack to the other and that resolved the problem. Now the train will take off right away, no need to switch directions or wait on it to "warm up". I guess that confirms a previous suggestion that the E-unit is either dying/dead or needs a thorough cleaning.

Thanks again to everyone!

[ADCX Rob]

jahwz

there are two set screws on the engine (on labeled "Precision" and the other "Motor")...

 

Those are the removable brush tubes.  There is no adjustment on this motor, better known as the "Atomic Precision Motor".

Rob

[Joe Hohmann]

I have a 1947 #681 version. Try to get a "streamlined" tender as it matches the size of the somewhat small Turbine (the "O" and "O27" versions are the same size). The whistles do not work properly on many/most postwar tenders, so try before you buy (of the 5 I have, only one does not sound like a sick cow).

[cwburfle]

jahwz

There is a receptacle on the engine for a tether from the tender, so I would eventually like to get a 2020w to match up. I didn't even think about looking for "recently ended" auctions to get an idea about how many might be out there, thanks for that tip...

These receptacles are only present on the 1946 version of the 2020. They are  not used to connect a tether to the tender. There should be two receptacles (jacks) on the back of the brushplate. One jack should have a short wire, with a banana plug on the end.
When the plug is inserted into the same jack to which the wire is attached, then the e-unit is off. When the plug is inserted into the opposite jack, the e-unit is on.

The same goes for the 1946 version of the 671 turvine, and 726 Berkshire.
In 1947 Lionel redesigned the mechanisms for these locomotives, stopped using the jacks, and went to e-unit levers on these locos.

The sole exception to this are the 671 electronic turbines (cab number). Electronic turbines have the receiver that controls the reversing unit in the tender. So there is a wire that runs from the tender to these jacks. The 1946 electronic turbines don't have an e-unit slot or e-unit reverse lever. From 1947 to 1949, they had both the jack, and an e-unit slot / lever.

While the precise tender for your engine is a 2020W, there are a number of tenders with the same style body, any of which can be used. Their trim and truck styles will vary. As ofthers have posted, you could also switch to a streamline tender, such as a 2046W or 2671W, which many operators would consider an upgrade.

[Anonymous]

Brandon,

                 Those two screw hold the brushplate to the motor, and they should be tight.  As for tenders, I prefer the later 2671W or 2046W (which is what I used in the video) to the tenders that originally came with the 2020 and 671 from 1946-47.  The early tenders just don't look quite right behind a Turbine IMHO. 

Zigg,

          Try moving the plug to the other socket on the brushplate and see if the 2020 changes direction.

[PhilaKnight]

Love the S-2 turbines. My 2020 is the best runner I have. Got it from my dad and I put a millon dollers into it to keep it running but it's worth it in sentimental value. I also have a 682, 681 And the mth S-2 witch is awesome to run in DCC. It's a shame they only made one protype and scrapped it.

[jahwz]

 Thanks for the welcome and all the responses. I did some more reading last night after posting and I do plan on taking the engine in for service. I did remove the cover and there is a good bit of build-up on the gear and around some of the other components, but don't want to tinker too much on this one since I have no experience with them. There is a receptacle on the engine for a tether from the tender, so I would eventually like to get a 2020w to match up. I didn't even think about looking for "recently ended" auctions to get an idea about how many might be out there, thanks for that tip...

 As for the "atomic" reference, the back of the motor (inside the cab) has Atomic ... something (don't have the unit in hand right now) engraved on it. 

 One other thing to prove my ignorance to model trains even further, there are two set screws on the engine (on labeled "Precision" and the other "Motor"). I haven't searched online for documentation on these yet, but I assume I would be best served to speak with whomever services the unit about how to set these? They are both turned in (clockwise) as far as possible.

Thanks again for all the replies! And as for the value of this unit, it will only grow and I can only hope my son will not be interested in selling it 30 years from now when it is his to pass on.

[arkady]

RockIsland52

arkady.....good advice.

The term "Atomic" is correct for this engine.  The term was a Lionel moniker for the motors they put in the turbines and the Berks: atomic motor.

I stand corrected -- I'd never heard that term applied to the Lionel steam turbines before.

[RockIsland52]

arkady.....good advice.

The term "Atomic" is correct for this engine.  The term was a Lionel moniker for the motors they put in the turbines and the Berks: atomic motor.  Not sure what other steamers shared the motor.

BTW, only one of the 2020W tenders I saw on ebay had the tether between the tender and the engine.  The others did not, so I assumed the one with the tether was the oldest, 1946, and the match.

The 2020 engine from 1948 and 49 came with a 6020W tender.  

Jack

[arkady]

jahwz

...The loco is the 1946 model with the atomic turbine and smoke bulb.

"Atomic" turbine?

Your 2020 is a model of a Pennsylvania Railroad S2 steam turbine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_turbine_locomotive http://prr.railfan.net/photos/Baldwin_PRR_6200_Turbine_BuildersCard_front.jpg

http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2020

Issue 1 is something I vaguely remember as a child in that sending power to the track will often light up the loco, but no forward/reverse motion. After powering up/down and switching directions a few times, it will eventually take off.

So then, when the locomotive is cold, it won't sequence between forward and reverse, but when it warms up, the sequencing works properly?

If so, then, as others have said, it's your E-unit (the reverse sequencer) that's likely at fault. It sounds as if it's just dirty and needs a thorough cleaning with solvent.

I haven't had much luck finding the 2020w whistling tender alone for sale/auction. Will any similar O-guage whistling tender work to give me a whistle for my son (2 years old and LOVES trains)?

Yes, as long as the drawbar (the connector between the locomotive and the tender) matches up, any postwar Lionel whistling tender should work.

Would like to eventually find a 2020w in good shape to have the original pair...

That would be the best bet. Treat it nicely, as a 2020 in good shape is a locomotive of some value.

[Roger Bielen]

Any whistle tender should work.  I upgraded my 1947 2020 to TMCC several years ago and it runs great.  Take yours to a service center and they can lube the engine and E-unit, or rebuild the E-unit.  Worse case is to replace it in kind or with and electronic E-unit.

[zigg72md]

I have my moms 46 2020. It doesn't have a tether between the loco and tender. As for the E-unit. I must admit I don't understand it very well. I fact the e-unit in my moms train is stuck in the forward direction I believe permenantly.

[RockIsland52]

Brandon.....these threads may interest you, including the video link from Jim in the first:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/166942.aspx

 http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/166905.aspx

Jack

[RockIsland52]

Brandon.  You have come to the right place.  Be patient and guys with S2 Turbines like your 2020 will jump in here and help you.

The e-unit that cycles the train through forward, neutral, and reverse is a little balky after a long nap.  Try cycling it a bunch of times at 12-14 volts and it might straighten itself out.  Years ago when I resurrected one of my steamers (2046 from 1950), I had it serviced.

Ebay's recently completed listings show four 2020W whistle tenders that sold for $51-$155 with three of them going for $100 or less.  I think the $100 one had the tether to the engine, might be from 1946 like yours.  The highest priced one came with the original box.  A 2026 prarie with a 2020W whistle tender went for $67.  I think you can replicate what you are missing with the tender.  That would be my first approach, to replicate what your grandfather set up for you.

Other postwar tenders will work just fine though.  More germain to your 2020, Lionel made the S2 turbine with other numbers.  Besides the 2020 there was the 671, 681, and 682.  The tenders that went with those would be my alternate choice.  Check out www.postwarlionel.com to figure out which other tenders came with the S2 turbines.

Hope this helps.

Jack 

[jahwz]

Hi all,

 Finally got the old train set out my grandfather put together when I was a child. After cleaning the original track, I have it running using the original ZW transformer but have two issues. The loco is the 1946 model with the atomic turbine and smoke bulb. 

 Issue 1 is something I vaguely remember as a child in that sending power to the track will often light up the loco, but no forward/reverse motion. After powering up/down and switching directions a few times, it will eventually take off. Is this just a sign that the loco needs servicing or likely other, more serious problems?

Second, the tender is missing and I haven't had much luck finding the 2020w whistling tender alone for sale/auction. Will any similar O-guage whistling tender work to give me a whistle for my son (2 years old and LOVES trains)? Would like to eventually find a 2020w in good shape to have the original pair, but for now a little sound will go a long way for the experience but I don't want to buy something that won't match up.

 Thanks for any and all help! I am just starting to learn (and boy there is a lot to learn) and am sure I'll be back with more questions as I recreate the 4'x8' layout this set originally ran on.

 Brandon