Alco switcher informed opinion wanted

[sirenwerks]

I found an Arnold S2 on sale on an auction site for $93 and am tempted to buy since the CGW will need at least one. But I'm wondering how realistic will it be that another manufacturer will release an S in the next year, which is about when the layout will realistically be underway. Your thoughts....?

[Rasputen]

$93.00 seems pretty steep.  I wouldn't pay more than $35.00 for a used one.

I think they were only $70.00 brand new.

[Puddington]

While they are getting harder to find, I wouldn't pay that for them. I bought one of Evilbay last year for $ 50.00.

They require some work as well; most people like to replace the wheel sets due to the huge flanges with NWSL wheels and some even re-motor them as they don't have a great slow start performance, although mine will run nice and slow after getting going. They don't have a functioning headlight either.

As for the chance someone will bring out Alco switchers; that and the Caramilk secret are the two most closely guarded pieces of information... hell; even Wikileaks can't find out when someone will break the "Alco barrier".......

[TiVoPrince]

Success
of the small Bachmann diesels would lead to increased expectations of more from them.  44T then 70T and the next logical step would be an Alco or Baldwin switcher.  Maybe more like now to three years out but Bachmann holds thier own destiny when it comes to factory avalability.  If other companies move production elsewhere Kader will need to find a way to keep the production line busy...

[wcfn100]

You may want to just go ahead and factor another $20 for new wheelsets with gears.  I would agree that you should be able to find one of these for $50 or less.  In fact I may have one I can sell.


Besides that, depending on your CGW goals, the S2 is not really a locomotive to get too worked up over.  If you look through the color guide, you will notice that all the S2 (#'s 8-10) pictures are out of Chicago (the GeePs are this way too) and the rest of the S fleet was in southern Minnesota.

If you can get one at a good price, definitely go for it.


Jason

[FrankCampagna]

I've bought a couple in the last year. Good ones are quite good. But noisy. Paid less than $40 each.

Frank

[Bob Bufkin]

I have 2 of these that have never even been run.  They just sit around waiting for the day I try and DCC them (like I'm gonna do that).  Havy read that they having cracking problems with the gears.

[sirenwerks]

Thanks for the input. I think I'll wait.

[bbussey]

$93 is too high.  But if you come across one at half that I would consider it since the anticipated new model is still a rumor.