Atlas S4 in N scale?

[drgw0579]

I am very happy with the Atlas S2, hopefully Atlas feels it was worth the effort.  It was probably a big risk.  I can see more of these on my layout in the future.  Since the railroad I model (PRR) had lots of S2's (42) and lots of S4's (34), I am thinking of planning my own S4 conversion.  I have some original Atlas "SW1500's" that could donate the truck side frames.

Diesel Spotters Guide implies they are the same car body.  That's close enough for me.  Photos in PRR DLP Vol 9, support that.  Of course having said that, it does appear the later S4's didn't have the same details.  For instance GWR 1845 is the last SP switcher built and is slightly [ Guests cannot view attachments ] different. Since that was the only ALCO I had a cab ride in, I will probably paint one up anyway.

Of course the #1 rule of kitbashing locomotives is that just as soon as I finish the conversion, the manufacturer will announce their own.  Since this is an easy kitbash, it may not be so automatic, *or* more of us have to do this to get their attention.

Bill Kepner

[drgw0579]

meant to say "last SP S4 switcher built"

[Joetrain59]

Bachmann produced an S4.
Joe D

[Mark5]

Atlas did a S4 in HO, so that may be a clue.

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2s4.htm

Some spotting info, not sure how correct it is:

http://yardlimit.railfan.net/alco/spotting/index.html

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Some spotting info, not sure how correct it is:

Its accurate but is missing another indicator and that is the cab.  A few months after ALCO started producing the S4 they made changes to the cab by going with sealed windows like what was being used on passenger cars and road units, with these windows having rounded corners and a raised bead around the glass.  Bachmann's switcher has the correct window for the bulk of the S4s that were built but the rendering of the windows and its glass isn't the best and it would be great if someone were to produce a cab with better detail.

Something else to keep in mind... the ALCO Blunt trucks and the AAR-A truck used on the S4 were interchangeable and there have been examples where truck swaps were made, largely out of necessity.

What would be great is if a ALCO S1/S3 shell could be done so that these units could also be modeled... hopefully this will yet be something we will see!!!

[sirenwerks]

Is the Bachmann cab correct?  And would it fit the Atlas hood width, etc.?

I know this seems like overkill, but I'd rather have an Atlas unit then a Bachmann one (brand loyalty).

[wcfn100]

Is the Bachmann cab correct?  And would it fit the Atlas hood width, etc.?

It's only correct in that it has rounded window corners.  The windows themselves are poorly done in regards to proportion and shape and of course there's the issue of the mystery window on the lower part of the door.

Jason

[sirenwerks]

So the question should go out to Paul @ Atlas - Hey, Atlas, are you going to do the S4 in N?

[Atlas Paul]

So the question should go out to Paul @ Atlas - Hey, Atlas, are you going to do the S4 in N?

Like we'd tip our hand on that...

[sirenwerks]

At least you're not saying no.  I'll wait on my intended purchase of the Bachmann S4s then, but make it snappy, and NP in the first run, please.

[Puddington]

Not that I and many others wouldn't like an Atlas S4 but why would they rush to market with an S4?.... They have just delivered most of the first run of the S2, there are what, fifty new road names and schemes to do to satisfy tens of thousands of modellers with an S2...? Why take away from S2 sales by splitting the buying public's limited dollars and offering two similar models that appeal to similar segments of the same market? It wouldn't be a financial decision I'd make..... Sometimes we must wait for a model simply because the "market" isn't ready or ripe for it..... at least from the manufacturer's stand point.

[sizemore]

Not that I and many others wouldn't like an Atlas S4 but why would they rush to market with an S4?.... They have just delivered most of the first run of the S2, there are what, fifty new road names and schemes to do to satisfy tens of thousands of modellers with an S2...? Why take away from S2 sales by splitting the buying public's limited dollars and offering two similar models that appeal to similar segments of the same market? It wouldn't be a financial decision I'd make..... Sometimes we must wait for a model simply because the "market" isn't ready or ripe for it..... at least from the manufacturer's stand point.

Tack onto that the Bachmann has produced the S4 and did a really great job, I don't think Atlas would be hot-to-trot to put out a competing product which would bring in less revenue compared to the S2 with no competition.

Perfect example is the FT's that came out at the same time from MT and IM.

The S.

[Chris333]

Tack onto that the Bachmann has produced the S4 and did a really great job, I don't think Atlas would be hot-to-trot to put out a competing product which would bring in less revenue compared to the S2 with no competition.

Perfect example is the FT's that came out at the same time from MT and IM.

The S.

But I think both the MT and IM FT had detail. 

[peteski]

But I think both the MT and IM FT had detail. 

And pretty accurate windows....

[MichaelWinicki]

Tack onto that the Bachmann has produced the S4 and did a really great job, I don't think Atlas would be hot-to-trot to put out a competing product which would bring in less revenue compared to the S2 with no competition.

Perfect example is the FT's that came out at the same time from MT and IM.

The S.

Bachmann did do a nice job on the S4.  Yesterday I had both the Atlas S2 and the Bachmann S4 out.  Atlas did a little nicer job on the body design and the handrails are thinner.  But it's not like the S4 is an "eye-sore".   I think Bachmann did an acceptable job.  And as far as running, with its wider wheel-treads the Bachmann runs more smoothly than the S2.