Columbia & Reading O Scale Premier Alco S-2 Switcher Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Alco's early diesel switchers, in the 1930s, were characterized by a high engine hood that reached almost to the cab roof. This was necessitated by the height of the McIntosh & Seymour inline 6-cylinder diesels that powered the new engines. Each cylinder in the massive four-stroke motors displaced 1,595 cubic inches, compared with 567 cu.in. per cylinder in Electro-Motive's two-stoke diesels.

But in 1939, Electro-Motive introduced its SW1 switcher, with a lower hood and more cab windows that allowed it to brag about "full front vision." In response, Alco redesigned its engine mounts to allow the motor to drop into a recess in the frame, and in 1940 introduced its S-1 and S-2 switchers, with a greenhouse-like cab that offered ample visibility in all directions. The two models differed mainly in power output. The normally aspirated S-1 with 600 h.p. booted many a small steam switcher from railroad rosters coast to coast. Turbocharging gave the S-2 1000 h.p., allowing it to replace larger steam switchers and branch line engines like 2-6-0s, 2-8-0s and 2-8-2s. The S-series rode on Alco's own Blunt trucks, named for the in-house engineer who designed them to negotiate the tight turns and less-than-perfect track often found on switching assignments.

Introduced just in time for World War II's crush of traffic, the S-2 became a best-seller. Rare was the Class 1 railroad that did not own a fleet of them, and short lines coast-to-coast rostered them as well. By the end of production in 1950, more than 1500 S-2s had been delivered. The engines proved extremely durable, with many earning their keep into the 1970s and '80s, and a number still operating today in tourist railroad and short line service. Like most Alco engines with turbochargers, S-2s are known by railfans as "honorary steam locomotives," for the bursts of smoke they emit when their turbochargers rev up on acceleration.

Our S-2 model rides on prototypical Blunt trucks and features everything you'd want in a hard-working switcher. Walkways have metal handrails and etched safety tread to prevent your 1/48-scale crewmen from slipping on a wet surface. End pilots have separately-added uncoupling levers. You'll find legible Alco builder's plates, and a cooling fan visible beneath the see-through metal grille atop the hood. The numerous grab irons and underframe bell are also separately added metal parts, and the cab features an illuminated interior with two crewmen. Directionally operated headlights and illuminated number boards round out the lighting effects.

Dual pickup rollers on each truck make this model nearly stall-proof on any three-rail O gauge switches. Throttle down as low as three scale miles per hour and maintain that speed as long as you wish, thanks to Proto-Speed Control. Pick up and drop off cars anywhere on your layout, with remotely operated front and rear Proto-Couplers. Listen to the authentic chant of a first-generation Alco motor, rumbling with an off-beat gait that sounds like it could use a tune-up. Simulate light or heavy diesel exhaust with the variable-intensity ProtoSmoke system. While other manufacturers have offered the S-2, no other O gauge model runs more smoothly or dependably, sounds as good, or is more fun to operate.

• Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body
• Die-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank
• Metal Chassis
• Metal Handrails and Horn
• (2) Handpainted Engineer Cab Figures
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Metal Wheels, Axles and Gears
• (2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
• Directionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlights
• Illuminated LED Number Boards
• (2) Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motors
• Operating ProtoSmoke Diesel Exhaust
• Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
• Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable
• 1:48 Scale Proportions
• Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Freight Yard Proto-Effects
• Unit Measures: 12" x 2 3/4" x 3 3/4"
• Operates On O-31 Curves Diesel DCC Features
• F0 Head/Tail light
• F1 Bell 
• F2 Horn 
• F3 Start-up/Shut-down 
• F4 PFA 
• F5 Lights (except head/tail)
• F6 Master Volume 
• F7 Front Coupler 
• F8 Rear Coupler 
• F9 Forward Signal 
• F10 Reverse Signal 
• F11 Grade Crossing 
• F12 Smoke On/Off 
• F13 Smoke Volume 
• F14 Idle Sequence 3 
• F15 Idle Sequence 2 
• F16 Idle Sequence 1 
• F17 Extended Start-up 
• F18 Extended Shut-down 
• F19 Rev Up 
• F20 Rev Down 
• F21 One Shot Doppler 
• F22 Coupler Slack 
• F23 Coupler Close 
• F24 Single Horn Blast 
• F25 Engine Sounds
• F26 Brake Sounds
• F27 Cab Chatter
• F28 Feature Reset