Undec for me, B&M had S2 units 1260-1265. #1260 actually survived on the line I'm modeling until May of 1976.
One would hope that Atlas would release it factory painted for B&M. Most companies (except Kato) have done a good job of getting our B&M money lately. Sadly, for you at least, I hope they release one in the black and red scheme which I think would pre-date your layout by at least a decade. There are pictures of a B&M S2 in the Minute Man scheme floating around the internet... pretty sharp looking, would work for late 1950s~early 1970s (maybe beyond).
Yeah, they were kind of weird but they actually worked quite well. The real problem with the old Arnolds besides the Pizza Cutters was the darn nylon gears on the axles. It seams every one cracked over time. A fresh new state of the art drive will be welcome.
I'd like one in CNW, CGW, Minnesota Transfer, or some other upper-Midwestern road to serve as a critter at my grain elevator.
I would guess that Atlas will focus their first release on major roads. These Alco units are so classic and still common these days, I imagine Atlas will be cranking out new road names until the end of time.
If they did, the Minuteman would sell better. I however detail and paint all my stuff on the layout since it never runs anywhere else so it doesn't matter to me. Part of the fun for me. #1260 to 1263 were the black with red and white and were the first order. When the B&M ordered 1264 and 65, the Minute Man scheme was applied. Most lasted until the mid sixties on the B&M except for 1260 which managed to hang around White River Junction until 1976. Research will be made to see if she would be in a really dirty black dress, or a blue dip with a touch of white for her final years.
Well, given the Atlas and Bachmann announcements, I can't imagine that anyone would care about the Arnold cr@p any more. But as one guy obsessed with this loco.... I found the Atlas Shay motor will fit in there. The only problem was those pesky worm/springs.
Did you get motors from Atlas' parts department, or do you have a couple motor-less Shays in your junk drawer? I'd love SP&S early scheme, Atlas.
It's great for all of us that Atlas is doing an N scale S-2. Just to whet all of our appetites, I am sure the modern 2012/2013-manufactured version by Atlas is going to improve on the clunky handrails that the 20-year old Arnold S-2 had, here's a couple of pics of that Arnold classic that we'll be comparing to the Atlas S-2 (this one below has the low-profile NWSL wheels installed to prevent that huge-flange look) : We're all looking forward to the N scale Atlas S-2 with the associated traditional Atlas excellent running characteristics. Wishing success to Atlas,
I modified these old Arnolds by replacing the axle gears, cutting down the pizza cutter flanges and adding directional lighting.
A D&H in S2 or S4 would be fab.. Then I can retire this Arnold S2. This S2 has NWSL wheels for Atlas code 55 track plus a DZ123.
Bmann S4 An up to date version of this would be most welcome; Also in MTA scheme. Still waiting for C-420's in MTA blue/yellow. RS units, too. Looking at the cab end of Arnold unit, I knew I did not like something about Bmann cab end. Their windows have rounded corners, not like they should be, as Arnold has. See the cab end on real loco, Atlas will get my money Joe
S units are wonderful, but this is another one of those quirks of N scale.....nobody does S units for twenty-some years, then TWO manufacturers come out with them at the same time. At least they aren't F units.....
Yeah, no kidding! Careful, there, or Con-Cor will release a new F7 with fixed couplers and in road names that never had F7s.
Are they S2's or S4's. Bachmann is making a S4 not an S2, and all the S4's I can find photos of have rounded windows. Bachmann and Atlas are each making different locomotives.
