Lionel Alco S-2 Switcher Repair

I see no one has yet responded to this post and I can only guess that its because that getting the shell off of this Legacy Switcher is probably just as difficult as it is getting the shell off of Lionel's TMCC S2 Switcher of several years ago.  The TMCC switcher was and is a real teeth grinder.  I have one and needed it to be repaired but the hobby shop I purchased it at declined to work on it because they were sure they would damage the engine when taking the shell off.  They told me to send it to lionel.  Lionel wouldn't take it because it was an out of warranty repair.  I took it to another hobby shop but they also wouldn't accept it for repair on the basis it was to difficult to get the shell off without damaging the engine.  They told me how to try and take the long hood off but assured me I would probably break one or both of the tabs which held the hood in place.  They were right-I did.  That S2 Switcher has been sitting on a shelf for many years.  I hope you have better luck with the legacy model but the paucity of responses tells me otherwise.

Talking about a P.I.T.A. JD if you give me a call I will explain to you on how to remove the shell. I would suggest calling Lionel for a RA.

Bill

Yep, Lionel's SW switchers are very difficult to work on. 

   Bill T

I was actually able to remove the shell with no damage to the train and accomplish what I needed. It was only 4 screws on the bottom, then you have to slide the shell off towards the rear very carefully as it is inserted into the cab with is very flimsy. Everything went well and it was all because of a broken truck bracket.

thank for the help guys.

JD

Good to know; I have a Santa Fe (blue/yellow) from several years ago, and had to re-attach

2 of the truck side frames with epoxy - they have a very thin attachment to the mounting

end of the casting. I picked the loco up one day when it was pretty new and felt 2 of them just slowly give. They may have come cracked.

BUT - I did that without removing the shell, so that was lucky - but my ATSF unit is due to

become a GM&O S-2 (they had many), as my Santa Fe days are winding down (won't ever

be gone, not so long as I have my ATSF Giant Steam Engines).

Painting may involve a shell removal ("May"? Yes - I painted my now-GM&O Atlas RS-1 without removing the shell - because I couldn't figure it out without breaking things.

Lots of masking tape; looks good - and I did an MTH S-2 dummy for a friend - same 

blasted problems. Thank goodness for steam locomotives - 3 - 4 screws, and you're golden,

typically.)

I'm happy for you JD.  Its always great to accomplish something on your own.  It would seem that Lionel's Legacy version of the S2 Switcher differs from the TMCC version in the manner in which it was constructed and believe me that's a good thing.  Dis-assembly appears not to be so problematic. 

Hello JD-Rod............

I have worked on many steamers and diesels through out the years and this is my first time to see a Lionel SW switchers with the can motor in the MIDDLE !!!!!! Is there a gear box in the bottom that connects to both trucks with a drive shaft ? I have never

seen that before

Tiffany

Yes, there is a can motor with flywheel, that goes into a central gearbox, then it has two outdrives which receive a shaft from each truck.

Hello JD-Rod.........

That is interesting........ as I am pretty used to seeing 2 can motors in a diesel. This is

NEW to me.  Is this switcher trouble free as running with single motor ?

Tiffany

pulls like a horse...

Hello JD-Rod......

I wondered if bracket from the truck is broken off or was it because of design flaw or was dropped ? I ask because the side frame of one of my Lionel 15 inch aluminum passenger car truck came loose (it was staked at the factory in 1989) and liked your idea of using JB-Weld expoy to repair it

Tiffany

Sounds easier than MTH S2. The shell is 3 screws, clips in the frame, railings and the shell is 2 pieces.