Lionel NYC S-1 Electric

[nblum]

Message 1 of 1 Subject 1 of 1
Subject: NYC S-1 Electric
Date: Mon, May 31, 2004 11:55 AM
From: DAHDAH911
MsgId: <[e-mail]>


Finally received one of the NYC S-1 Electrics from the second run of these locomotives. This is quite a different and impressive model. It's definitely not a toy for tots given the level of scale detail and small bits and pieces, even if they are made of metal. On the one hand, it's all black, which makes it literally colorless and bland. On the other hand, its compact, heavy, hulking appearance are deceiving compared with it's 11" length. They've apparently redone the packaging as the dummy external third rail pickup shoes on mine were not bent or otherwise damaged. This was a problem on some of the first run's version's packaging.

It runs fine, including at very low speeds right out of the box, another problem some have mentioned with the first run. The design is very clever in many ways. The headlights are large, brutish and bright, and the handrails and piping are delicate, complex and tough, made of metal as well. So one has the visual contrast of the blocky loco with these delicate appearing details that is quite extraordinary.

I have no idea how they crammed all the electronics inside and don't want to open it to find out. The sound, to my ears, at least at medium levels, is the finest fidelity of any electric I've ever heard. At very low or very high volumes there is some distortion/noise. Not a real problem. At "easy listening" levels, the fullness and clarity of the sound are unlike even the same Railsounds boards in my 3rd Rail or K-Line locos. There clearly has been some effort and success in Lionel's attention to sound, perhaps higher quality speakers and better resonance chamber design are at work here. Even the voices of Towercom, however anachronistic and superfluous, are crystal clear. A lot better fidelity than my wireless telephone handset ;).

Another nice design feature is that all the switches (Run/Prog; Odyssey On/Off: RS/SS) are easily accessible through a magnetic hatch on the top of this puppy. This is actually a great design feature that should be built into every loco if possible. Much nicer than having to remove the loco from the track and fiddle with switches on the underside. Since I turn off the smoke on all my locos (not an issue here, obviously), I'd like to see this switch topside or otherwise accessible, as in this loco.

Finally, the street price was about $410, which seems quite reasonable, and unlike the Lionel pricing of earlier eras for an innovative product. A tribute to competition, fine Korean craftsmanship and lower costs of manufacturing abroad, no doubt.

I like it :).

[Anonymous]

I am not one for all the cool bells and whistles that engine offers, but I was tempted to get it. I liked the detail a lot, it is a really nice well crafted piece. I call it a piece because it isn't a toy. They copied the real one perfectly. I figured I'd wait until someone was selling it cheaper. I'll probably be waiting a long time. There is nothing better than opening a package with a train in it. I'm sure you were really excited just when you saw the box. I know I would be!!
Angelo

[Anonymous]

Are the s-1's still available to be ordered because I really want one badly.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Neil,

Should you open the locomotive up, at some point in the future, you will find all of the electronics and wiring, very logically and neatly laid out (I have had mine apart).

My son and I set up a temporary loop of track in the backyard last weekend so my S-1 got to run outdoors for the first time. This one was a "must have" as I am a big 402/408E fan.

The Lionel S-1,the MTH L5 , and the Railking GG1saw backyard duty that day-electrics only, no steam or diesel (not by design, it just worked out that way).

Enjoy your S-1.

[nblum]

Thanks Richard. Notice the date of my original post 13 months ago. :) I've had it for a year (which is why it is not available for ordering). Best bet is finding a dealer with one on the shelf (unlikely) or eBay. One rumor is that another version may be out in the next catalog, so those interested might as well wait till unleast that comes out next month and check and see.

[Anonymous]

I have asked lionel about 2005 vol2 and it's coming next month probably.And you said there is another version hopefully I might get a chance of the S-1 electric.[:D][:)]

[Anonymous]

It will be next week when there is a vol2 of 2005.[:)]

[Anonymous]

I was wrong,its August when available.[:(]

[arkady]

Although this article is now a full ten years old (wow, where did it go?), it's new to me, since  I just received my NIB Lionel S-1 three days ago.  And I couldn't be happier.

I'm normally not a big fan of sound (I generally turn it off in my steam locomotives), I've got to say that the electric-locomotive sound effects in this unit are fascinating.  I never had the privilege of hearing a prototype S-1 in action, but I can easily believe that this is how they must have sounded.  The horn is particularly interesting, as it sounds (to me) more like a tugboat than anything I ever heard on a railroad locomotive.

I run conventional-only on my layout, and I'm extremely pleased with the way the S-1 accomodates conventional operation.  Very smooth at low speeds, gentle speed transitions and the Odyssey speed control easily handles slight variations in track height.  The motor sound even revs up and slows down as the Odyssey control adjusts locomotive speed.  Very impressive. 

As for appearance, the original article says it all.  The details are beyond reproach, but although they're very intricate, they don't seem at all fragile.  One of the pantographs on mine was bent and inoperable (either from shipping damage or packing error), but I was able to straighten it out with a pair of needle-nose pliers.  The overall design of the locomotive owes more to the original General Electric engineering staff than to Lionel, but it's definitely good-looking, in a powerful, compact, all-business sort of way.  I much prefer the all-black to Lionel's later S-2 version with yellow handrails, but I guess that's a matter of personal taste.

I don't plan on doing much tinkering with this locomotive.  The directional headlights are incandescent and more-or-less constant brightness, and I'll eventually be replacing them with LEDs.  Beyond that, I don't see anything that needs improvement.

Unlike the original reviewer, I did open mine up, to install the 9V battery.  Other than wishing Lionel had made the body screws easier to reach, I had no problems.  The innards are well laid out, and nothing seemed cramped or difficult to access.

Any complaints?  Only one: when shutting down, the power-down sequence cuts off a bit too abruptly to be entirely realistic.  That's about it.  This is a great locomotive, and one that I'm happy to add to my collection/operating stable.  I can easily recommend it to anyone who's considering buying one on the used or NOS market.