Hi there... I apologize in advance if this issue has been discussed before...I am new to posting here and didn't find a reference in a search of this forum. The most recent post on the Genset switcher sparked my pet peeve: the lack of a well running Alco S1-4 switcher in N scale. From what I could quickly glean from Wikipedia, the production volumes of the Alco S class switchers: · were comparable to EMD SW class switchers · were comparable to EMD B-type Cab units · were comparable to EMD GP7s · were 2-3 times the size of Alco FAs and EMD SD40s All of the above and many far far less common prototypes are available in good (and in many cases great) running N scale models. In N scale we have the very old Arnold switcher. No matter how I try, I cannot find a method to get these units to operate as well as my Life Like SW1200s...so on my SW1200s soldier, looking out of place on my layout but performing wonderfully. Is there even a decent kit for converting something like the SW1200s to an S2/S4? Not that I am aware but I would love it if someone can point me to one. My simple mind presumes if there is an economic demand that is greater than the next alternative it will be filled. Is there a pent up demand for Alcos which might be larger than for a genset locomotive? How do we find out? Are any manufacturers out there able to comment on this? md
I would LOVE to see more Alco switchers, too. This is an unmet demand. Kato did a great job with the NW2. How about it Kato? Lifelike once made a pretty good SW1200. Update that mech a bit, and then fit it into an Alco shell and we could have something.
I would pick one up in a heartbeat, in NP or GN or CB&Q.... especially if it were an Atlas or Intermountain. I may get 2 if they're not too hard on the wallet, it's not a complex locomotive!! Do it!!
Yep, I'd buy an S1-4. Currently don't have a switcher and certainly not interested in the genset. But look how long it took to get a decent bay window caboose, and when it finally came out they were gobbled up in a heartbeat! I think the S1-4 would show the same results.
While I am trying (unsuccessfully) to build a modern road, my WP Zephyr Geeps need a switcher or two. WP had S1s(8), 2s(12), and 4s(2). They were all gone by the 70s but so was the Zephyr and Silver and Orange paint.
Another vote for Alco switchers! The WP and it's subsidiaries had S1, S2 and S4s. They were painted in orange and silver, solid orange and Pearlman Green. That would give a manufacturer at least three runs worth of locos. My vote is for Atlas or Kato. I have an Atlas WP VO-1000 that's pretty nice. I don't know if there's a difference in wheelbase or not, but it could be a start. I know there's a lot of roads that used Alcos. Done properly, these would sell like hotcakes.
I owned two of those Arnold S2s and they ran great on DC (maybe I was lucky?). I would love to see a DCC-ready version of these sweeties. In PRR, of course!
I'd love some Alco switchers, Santa Fe yards were full of them, in zebra stripe and blue/yellow schemes. I'd vote for Walthers/LL doing them only if they made them DCC ready. Atlas are already part way there with the RS1, it's just a switcher with a short hood. Kato's NW2 shows they can do small switchers but can you wait for them to do your roadname.
The Alco S1-S4 series switchers were ubiquitous. Nearly every (maybe every) major railroad had some version, many owned 10's, if not 100's of them, and a few S4's are still being used by short lines. The fact that there is no modern N scale version of these is completely unbelievable, though I think Charlie Vlk may have noted that switchers in general don't sell as well as road units. But come on - here's a model that could be offered in paint for every road, and for some roads, in multiple schemes. There is one fly in the ointment. The old Arnold units used a metal shell to help with weight. The LL SW series and the Kato NW's both could use additional weight, though the LL's, in particular, pulled pretty well. So maybe one issue is how to get enough weight on a switcher chassis? John C.
...but how many of us bought the LL SW1200's regardless? If necessary I double them up and on single units I do use "Bullfrog Snot" on one axle to increase traction (sorry for the name...I didn't come up with it). And the need to double them may increase their market demand somewhat...which I would think for a manufacturer would be the point... Does any one have any ideas on how to communicate with Atlas effectively? I have sent many emails and not gotten anywhere... Anyone out there interested in coming up with a kit? I have tried Kaslo Shops as I use a number of their H16-44 kits and they are wonderful but they are between pattern-makers. md
I have a couple of the old Arnolds that I cut down the pizza cutter flanges, replaced the cracked nylon axle gears and added head lights to. They run real sweet now.
Alco's aren't the only missing switchers. I'm sure that John, among others, would agree that SW1500s would be awesome too. The article on making one in N Scale magazine is great but it requires miling the frame that not everybody can do. I want at least one WP and two CCT SW1500s.
I'm with you on this one MD. The Rio Grande used Alcos in the yards from the 40's until the mid 60's, and anything else just won't work. I have two mint Arnolds, but upgrading them to DCC, lo pros and decent running just does not seem like much fun. I think this is the biggest gap we have right now in N scale locomotives. Todd
I still have my PRR Arnold S2. I was given a link to putting a decoder in it. May take a few drinks to understand it though...LOL :tb-biggrin: .
As far as production of Alco switchers we can rule out Walthers simply because they don't seem interested in N.That leaves Atlas,Athearn or Kato..I don't think Atlas is all that interested in doing switchers nor will they risk bumping heads with Arnold simply because Arnold could upgrade their Alco switcher faster then Atlas could tool one up..Kato is the wild card as is Athearn. Of course Fox Valley could but,IMHO not likely..
Hmm, that's a thought. Maybe the idea would be to see if Arnold is interested in a slight modification to the S2 to make it C55 friendly and DCC ready.
