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Upgrading some details on the K-Line S-2 diesel

 

The K-Line K2330 PRR Alco S-2 diesel is a very basic dual motor conventional O scale model. The K-Line model has 27-1/2 scale feet wheelbase (The prototype wheelbase is listed as 30-1/2 feet).

 

A few changes to the model can improve the appearance. Removing and replacing both the horn and the bell with brass castings are a start. Next removing and replacing the battery box assembly with a scratchbuilt version greatly improves the appearance. The K-Line model and prototype photos and data follow.

 

Prototype Data:

 

The ALCO S2 and S4 were 1,000 horsepower (746 kW) switcher diesel-electric locomotives produced by ALCO and Canadian licensee Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW). Basically, the two locomotives differed only in trucks, with the S-2 using ALCO's own Blunt trucks, and the S-4 riding on standard AAR type A switcher trucks. Both were powered by ALCO 539 turbocharged, 6-cylinder diesels. The S-2 was built between August 1940 and June 1950, with a total of 1502 completed, while the S-4 was constructed between June 1949 and August 1957 (MLW until 1957) with total sales of 797.

 

Alco Blunt Truck

The Blunt truck was a uniquely American Locomotive Company (Alco) design, created by one of its own engineers and used on its very early S series switchers. The Blunt was developed for use on rough, poor, and uneven track as Alco believed its switcher would find considerable use in industrial and secondary track applications.   Interestingly, the builder turned out to be correct as it sold more than 2,000 examples of the S1 and S2 although far more railroads went on to purchase the locomotive than private industries. 

 

 

Original K-Line K2330 PRR model photos:

 

 

K-LINE S-2 DIESEL [1)

K-LINE S-2 DIESEL [2)

K-LINE S-2 DIESEL [3)

K-LINE S-2 DIESEL [5)

alco s-2 prr xx

alco s-2 PRR

alco s-2 prr8430

alco s-2 L408_407YardA

Attachments

Images (9)
  • K-LINE S-2 DIESEL (1)
  • K-LINE S-2 DIESEL (2)
  • K-LINE S-2 DIESEL (3)
  • K-LINE S-2 DIESEL (5)
  • alco s-2 artwork
  • alco s-2 prr xx
  • alco s-2 PRR
  • alco s-2 prr8430
  • alco s-2 L408_407YardA
Last edited by pro hobby
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For those who want the latest technology refer to the Lionel Legacy NYC 6-38481 with an MSRP of $479.99.

 

Lionel Legacy Features

  • LEGACY Control System equipped – able to run in LEGACY Control mode, in TrainMaster Command Control mode, or in Conventional mode with a standard transformer
  • Odyssey II Speed Control with On/Off switch
  • LEGACY RailSounds sound system featuring: 
    - CrewTalk dialog and TowerCom announcements, each with different scenarios depending on whether the locomotive is in motion or stopped
    - Six official railroad speeds with CrewTalk dialog
    - Eight diesel RPM levels
    - LEGACY "Real-Time Quilling Horn" control with instant quilling and correctly timed warning signals
    - Single hit or continuous mechanical bell sounds
  • Front and rear ElectroCouplers
  • Powerful maintenance-free motor with momentum flywheel
  • Refined Conventional Transformer Control Mode with lower starting speeds
  • Traction tires
  • Fan-driven smoke unit
  • Adjustable smoke output
  • Directional lighting including LED headlights
  • Operating marker lights
  • Illuminated number boards
  • Die-cast metal trucks, pilot, and fuel tank
  • Metal frame
  • High level of separately applied metal details
  • Engineer and conductor figures

Road Number: 8507

Gauge: Standard O Scale

Dimensions: Length: 12 ¼”

RailLine: New York Central

Minimum Curve: O-31

 

 

Also required with the above: Legacy controller: MSRP $499.95

 

 

LIONEL ALCO S-2 NYC MODEL 6-38481_7647 [1)

LEGACY CONTROLLER 6-14295lg

Attachments

Images (2)
  • LIONEL ALCO S-2 NYC MODEL 6-38481_7647 (1)
  • LEGACY CONTROLLER 6-14295lg
Last edited by pro hobby

I have:

 

- a the Lionel version (ATSF; TMCC; Odyssey)

- the K-line (WP for re-paint; oh, those pilots! But fixable.)

- the RMT Bang version (NYC; really pretty; pilot problem gone - but the couplers...long)

- the Marx ancestor of the last two; actually, the Marx trucks look better from the

  side than the K-RMT's.

======

I would like to ERR Cruise Commander the RMT loco; it's just neat, too short and all.

The Cruise should moderate the zoom-zoom gearing AND there are Electrocouplers

that are much shorter than the originals on the RMT, so, that problem would be

gone.

 

Now, Walter - where is my GM&O version...still? GM&O always sells. (I, and at least 3 of my friends, will definitely be buying the new WBB scale GM&O Alco FA/FB set, for sure. Just sayin'.)

This K-Line engine like several other dual powered conventional engines can be rewired to power the motors in series.  This reduces the top end speed by approximately one half.

 

A schematic showing the rewired K-Line K2330 engine is shown.

 

Actual wiring is also shown.  All soldered connections were removed and crimp on connectors used.  The metal weights were also removed from the frame and discarded (not needed).  The incandescent lamp bulb will be replaced by directional LEDs for front and rear headlights.

 

 

 

000_3846

Attachments

Last edited by pro hobby

Here is data for the new Lionel conventional power S-2 engine.

 

 

6-38482 | Price: $359.99 (Conventional power)

Alco diesel switchers proved dependable freight yard mainstays for decades. Each scale-sized Lionel S-2 switcher includes a unique dual drivetrain system that sends power to each truck from a single motor for maximum tractive effort. These S-2 switchers even feature fixed pilots just like the prototype. 

Features

Transformer controlled forward, neutral, and reverse operation

Conventional RailSounds sound system

Powerful maintenance-free motor with momentum flywheel

Die-cast metal trucks, pilots, and fuel tank

Metal frame

Front and rear magnetic couplers

Traction tires

Operating headlight

Lighted number boards (via headlight)

Engineer figure

Road Number: 8514

Gauge: Standard O Scale

Dimensions: Length: 12 ¼”

RailLine: New York Central

 

6-38482_7526 8514

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 6-38482_7526 8514
Originally Posted by JohnB:

Pro Hobby

 

All that is missing on the Lionel Legacy version esp the PRR is the dirt.

 

i have a old Kline S-2 in Nabisco colors, it is a race horse, I used to put pennies in the cars to slow it the heck down. I always see them at the Allentown train races.

 

JohnB

 My K-Line model has been rewired with series powered motors.  Top speed is reduced by about 1/2.  See schematic provided.  

Attachments

Last edited by pro hobby

FYI - I have operated an S2 and that's not the fuel tank, that is the battery box and a place to hide some of the air piping.  you can see the hatches and some valves in the prototype photos.

 

The fuel tank is actually under the cab floor.  It was always somewhat disconcerting to think you sitting directly over a couple hundred gallons of diesel fuel. 

 

http://th07.deviantart.net/fs19/PRE/i/2007/237/0/a/1945_Alco_S2_by_classictrains.jpg

Note the fuel oil fill cap on the end of the cab in this view.

Last edited by jhz563
Originally Posted by jhz563:

FYI - I have operated an S2 and that's not the fuel tank, that is the battery box and a place to hide some of the air piping.  you can see the hatches and some valves in the prototype photos.

 

The fuel tank is actually under the cab floor.  It was always somewhat disconcerting to think you sitting directly over a couple hundred gallons of diesel fuel. 

 

http://th07.deviantart.net/fs19/PRE/i/2007/237/0/a/1945_Alco_S2_by_classictrains.jpg

Note the fuel oil fill cap on the end of the cab in this view.

 Corrections made. Thanks.

Pro hobby,

 

I'm looking to wire an S2 in series as you did.  I have two splices, blue/blue/yellow and brown/blue/yellow. Do I just separate the yellow wires from each of these two, three wire splices and splice the yellows together so that I wind up with three splices blue/blue, brown/blue and yellow/yellow?

 

Joe

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