New Atlas S2s

[peteski]

So, the latest Atlas S2 with sound uses one of those rectangular cell phone speakers?  I have one from the initial run and from what I remember, it had a regular round speaker in a plastic box. At least I seem to recall that I  read that info in one of the recent threads here on TRW.

[milw12]

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=265085

But yeah facepalm there for sure... My blue and yellow Soo units should arrive soon 

Found one of your blue/yellow Soo in the wild today!

And that ex-Chessie unit is nasty, I love it 

[pdx1955]

Love the sounds but not impressed with the running quality with more running time . I tested other switchers that I have - Atlas VO-1000's and a Bachmann S4. All run silky smooth over all of the track including through the yard ladder (all Peco Electrofrogs with added jumpers and frog juicers). This S2 runs so-so on straight track but tends to stall and stutter  and stops dead on the switches plus derails on a number of them. Clearly this one has a gauge issue at least and it's going to go into the needs service pile as it's no good for yard operations like this ...ugh. Not a good experience for a first sound locomotive, since switching a major focus on the layout.

[coosvalley]

Love the sounds but not impressed with the running quality with more running time . I tested other switchers that I have - Atlas VO-1000's and a Bachmann S4. All run silky smooth over all of the track including through the yard ladder (all Peco Electrofrogs with added jumpers and frog juicers). This S2 runs so-so on straight track but tends to stall and stutter  and stops dead on the switches plus derails on a number of them. Clearly this one has a gauge issue at least and it's going to go into the needs service pile as it's no good for yard operations like this ...ugh. Not a good experience for a first sound locomotive, since switching a major focus on the layout.

It sounds to me like you have not cleaned the wheels well enough, and there is still the coating from the factory on the wheels. It is a common problem with these locos.

Comparing these to the VO-1000's ,however, these are a step backwards, as far as slow speed(switching speeds) operation goes. I don't know why they made them so "fast".

[pdx1955]

It sounds to me like you have not cleaned the wheels well enough, and there is still the coating from the factory on the wheels. It is a common problem with these locos.

Comparing these to the VO-1000's ,however, these are a step backwards, as far as slow speed(switching speeds) operation goes. I don't know why they made them so "fast".

I got out my trusty Minitrix wheel cleaner and held the loco on there until it ran steady. You're right, it runs just fine and  smooth now through switches , even though it is a bit picky on a few. It acts like it should, yes, a bit faster than the VO's.  I've just never had to do that for a locomotive straight out of the box  as usually just track time takes care of that.

[coosvalley]

Glad to hear it worked!..It's not a bad loco by any means, but it does have some things which need improvement...I hope to see that happen in the future...

[MichaelWinicki]

To me the VO1000 is the finest N scale switcher on the planet as far as combining slow speed operation with consistent electrical pickup. 

One big advantage the VO1000 has over the S2 are the slightly wider treads on the wheelsets.

[Albert in N]

Peter is right on with the Minitrix wheel cleaner! Mine is showing wear since it is used a lot, especially with Atlas locos. I wish Atlas Tool Company would start making one of their own.  I would gladly buy a couple of wheel cleaners.

[Missaberoad]

Found one of your blue/yellow Soo in the wild today!

And that ex-Chessie unit is nasty, I love it 

@milw12

Nice! I miss Scale Model Supply, need to find my way back to the Twin Cities again... Harder now that I'm not in Winnipeg...

That ex Chessie is so ugly you have to love it...

Soo 1985-1995 has alot of temptations, Here's one(two) you should love...

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=155472

 

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, I have three S2's from the first run, and they are excellent runners. They have no pickup issues, and, at 62 grams, they are heavier then the V0-1000's (53 grams) and outperform (outpull) them easily in my yard. The S2 starts creeping at step 1 of 28, the VO buzzes through step 5 or 6 before it starts creeping. Once going, agreed, the speed range of the VO is excellent. The top speed of the S2 is much higher, but easy to trim in DCC. (I trim the top speed of all my locos, road engines, too). Don't get me wrong, the VO's are excellent models, but the S2's just sound so much better

I wonder if the second S2 run is somehow different...materials, quality control, coatings? I do not own any, so can't comment.
Otto K.

[jdcolombo]

Well, I have three S2's from the first run, and they are excellent runners. They have no pickup issues, and, at 62 grams, they are heavier then the V0-1000's (53 grams) and outperform (outpull) them easily in my yard. The S2 starts creeping at step 1 of 28, the VO buzzes through step 5 or 6 before it starts creeping. Once going, agreed, the speed range of the VO is excellent. The top speed of the S2 is much higher, but easy to trim in DCC. (I trim the top speed of all my locos, road engines, too). Don't get me wrong, the VO's are excellent models, but the S2's just sound so much better

Otto K.

I love hearing that 539T doing it's best not to blow up when you throttle up.

BUT . . .  my VO1000's sound pretty good too:

 

John C.

[tehachapifan]

Love how that VO1000 sounds like it's going to die any second.

[Cajonpassfan]

I love hearing that 539T doing it's best not to blow up when you throttle up.

BUT . . .  my VO1000's sound pretty good too:
 

John C.

Yes indeed John, it surely does....
How do your VO's compare to the S2's performance wise?
Otto

[jdcolombo]

Yes indeed John, it surely does....
How do your VO's compare to the S2's performance wise?
Otto

The VO-1000 runs smoother at "crack the throttle" speeds (e.g., speed steps 1-5 on a 128-step scale).  The S2 hesitates ever so slightly at these "tie crawling" speeds and I haven't been able to figure out why.  Normal people probably wouldn't even notice it, but I freely admit to not being normal when it comes to slow-speed performance of my engines.  Since I bought my S2 just to try it out (it's an E-L unit), I'll wait until Atlas produces one in NKP paint before thinking about it any more.  It may be that I just got the short end of the manufacturing variation stick.  Once past that, the performance is nearly identical, but like you, Otto, I dial back the top-end speed: mine are set at about 1/3 of factory default.  Neither of these things will run over 40 smph when I'm done setting CV5.  The S2 will pull an extra car or two, but that may be because I added lead weight to the cab of the S2 when I did my speaker transplant, replacing the round speaker with an 8x12 cell-phone type in a sealed enclosure.

What I dream about is Atlas making an FM H10-44 and H12-44.  These switchers are nearly identical in size to the VO1000; indeed, the overall length of the VO1000 and H10-44 is the same: 44' 10".  The truck centers on the H10-44 are about 3' longer (which is too bad, if they had been the same or within inches, Atlas could have just used the VO1000 chassis).  And a LOT of Class I's used FM switchers up to the 1960's, even though FM exited the locomotive market early (and apparently wisely, since they still exist, and in fact still build the Alco 251 diesel engine, which they acquired the rights to upon Alco's demise).

John C.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks John, good to know. Consistent with my experience, although my S2 pulls quite a bit better. As for the FM's, we all have our dreams....I'd love Atlas to do the H20-44, but it's got such unusual truck spacing it too would need a unique frame....
Otto