Thanks for the detailed conversion article! Very helpful! How does your S-2 run for you afterwards, say by comparison to a LL SW1200 if you are able to make the comparison? I have two of the Arnold units which I have only run back and forth a bit on a DC test track and, if I felt comfortable I would be happy with the running results at the end, I would go to the work of converting them...I am just soooooo happy with the slow speed performance of my LifeLike units. On the DC test track the units did not have the slow speed performance I am looking for so I wonder whether DCC would make things better enough to warrant the conversion... md
This is the link I have... http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/dccconv/ars2.html It looks like someone else also has done a decoder install. So now we have 2 sources for info :thumbs_up::tb-cool: .
I don't have a life-like switcher, so can't make the direct comparison. However, my S2 runs as well as my kato engines (only 15 times louder, ha!). The dcc makes a HUGE difference for sure! I've been running the S2 for a year since the dcc conversion. The S2s though have a somewhat finicky power pickup scheme...mine is now due for a cleaning of the copper. May even hardwire from the trucks to the circuit board. Thanks to all who read the article...It was quite fun to write!
Which is how I got this: I still need to chop up a RS-1 mechanism. I have from time to time told Cory how to make one hoping that the thought takes root one day.
Atlas would seem the likely suspect since they already have done the research (Alco S-2 and S-4 in HO). Hopefully Atlas will get N scale back in production later this year and start announcing new stuff.
It seems the market is ripe for N scale Alco S-2 switchers. To whet the appetite and to get the stars lined up for these to get announced by a manufacturer..... here is an old 1991 Arnold Santa Fe S-2, modified with NWSL small flange wheels and fitted with the Hans Starmans remotoring kit using European Swiss motor. (with this out-of-production kit, this Arnold S-2 is actually the best slow-speed running DC loco I have, even better than the LifeLike SW9/1200 - due to the Swiss motor and the low gearing, and helped by Hans' magical experience in tuning and installing this kit). Hopefully this will help cause a 'manufacturer's announcement' . Prior to weathering:
The biggest problem I have with the Arnold S2 centers around the springs that drive the trucks. I have 5 of these and can’t seem to get any of them to perform consistently. I started out by changing to geared wheel sets from NWSL to correct the cracked gear problem, and have found the NWSL QC to be poor. I have typically had to pick through 3-4 wheel sets to get enough for one truck. I have seen 2 different problems with these wheelsets, sometimes both in the same wheelset. In one circumstance, the gear is off-center on the axle, causing a slight binding when installed. In the other, the hole in the wheel is off-set, causing a hop going down the track. Once I have a good truck assembly (rolls fairly smooth with a slight downward finger pressure to overcome the friction, it gets installed in the lokie. Then the fun begins with the spring. I had one lokie that ran perfectly smooth, and swapped the trucks into another for troubleshooting. When I swapped the trucks back in, the lokie was noisy and jumping. I checked it out and the spring had bent. woo woo woo? I was very careful handling the lokie, so I am at a loss how this happened. Has anyone ever come up with a method that gets away from using the springs? Maybe a smaller diameter motor that can located higher in the cavity allowing the use of an actual worm? I have tried straightening the springs, but it doesn’t seem to be feasible (at least not in my experience. Any thoughts?
Johnh, It sounds like I was lucky to have Hans Starmans install the motor for me, because I clearly hear your experience with these springs has been a challenge. I don't know of any methods to circumvent the spring in the Arnold S-2.... For what it's worth, the following web site that shows a motor swap into the Arnold S-2, still uses the springs, I'll post the link here as maybe it will give some ideas: http://www.fourthray.com/Peter/Articles/Equipment/S2.htm I'm sorry I could not be of more help.
Oh, you can't get away with a statement like that without posting a video showing us how it runs! :tb-biggrin:
The effort people who have the old Arnold S2's go to getting them to run and look better shows how much they are wanted by modelers. I'm sure Alco switchers would sell better for Atlas than some of the increasingly obscure roadnames they are resorting to doing their existing models in.
I just listed 3 on E Bay under S2. They are project engines. I figure the winner will get one or two operating engines.
