Lionel PRR S2 Review

Fantastic review, as always.  I tried so intently to listen for the "chuff chuff" of the steam loco as a normal feature, but when it didn't happen I needed to get used to the turbine sounds when the loco started off.  Extremely nice model!

Well done!

 

Peter

Erics review is first rate as always, but that loco......

 

If there was ever something that Lionel " rushed out the door", that legacy S2 has to be it.

Well, the S2 was part of the last couple years when Lionel was reusing some tooling and putting stuff out fast. These things are always very cyclical...a few years of innovative cool new models, then a few years of comparatively so-so releases to try to stay profitable. It may not have the smoking whistle and so forth, but it's a very well built model and it weighs a ton so I'm pleased. I'm not a big fan of holding my breath, I just try to enjoy what's available. :-)

-Eric

Eric,

  

   Another fantastic review. Very nicely done, I always look forward to your review's

 

 

Thanks,

Alex

Another great review Eric.  I have MTH's PS-1 equipped semi scale version.  When I ran it for the 1st time, I freaked out at the sounds and did a feature 18 reset.  When that didn't fix the sounds, I realized that it's a turbine.  Since that realization, I love it, and agree with your BFIMO.  Only having a single carpet loop for now, my S2 is the one locomotive I keep out to run for now because it's a different sound.  Also, your review answered a question I had about the lights on the rear of the tender.  Now when I go to drill out the spots to install lights on mine, I know what goes where.

Eric, good job.  I purchased the loco and enjoy it very much.  A keeper.

I like mine a lot, but frankly the sound is off-putting, so I don't run it too often.  I had too many great locos that chuff nicely.  I prefer that.

Great review Eric! - A few things I feel are a little sloppy, such as the metal coal load but otherwise a very beautiful and unique looking engine.

Eric great review as usual.

here is a video we took the first day I brought it home.

 

Well done sir...thanks for taking so much of your time to do these, it's appreciated.

Nice review. Thanks. 

 

I assume this also does the coal loading effects as well?

Very nice,Eric.  Thank you.  I have the earlier turbine,from around 2000.  It seems that the details are pretty much the same as are sounds with both models.  I venture to say that the Legacy special effects and operating system are the difference.

I have been very happy with my S2 and this model seems to be quite nice also.

 

Norm

Eric; nice review as usual.

hah3; I like the  video

As usual, a great review.  Eric you do a great job of pointing out the engine's strengths and you seem to really try to point out the weaknesses without being critical or negative.  I appreciate that.

 

After being spoiled with real coal loads, smoking whistles, and lots of add on detail this engine disappointed me.  I had planned on purchasing it but I passed on it.  It is a bummer because this engine was so unique, I feel Lionel did not do it justice. Again maybe I have been spoiled by newer engines.   No worries, there are plenty of great steamers in the new catalog!

Hello Eric, thanks for the time you put into making this video.

You stated you had one favorite item on this engine but if I was asked it would have to be that Qualiable Steam Whistle.

 

I am not much of a Lionel guy and all my steam engines are MTH and unfortantly are not equipped with the Qualiable Whistle Feature.

 

If they where, I would have the thumb wheel on my DCS remote wore out.

Lionel is definitely ahead of MTH on this great feature.

 

Thanks again for the review!!

 

Mark Strittmatter

TCA # 14-69917

Eric,

Great Jonas usual.
Very informative.
Great running shots on your very nice layout.
Thanks for taking the time out to put this together and post it.

Mike R

I'm pretty sure that this model's tooling hasn't been changed much since the initial release which was '90-'91 I think.

It must have been, went to purchase the "non elephant ears" model at our local store when they came out and it was missing the stairs in the front! Seems the stairs from the pilot are now part of the ears so they are missing on the as built model. 

Decided not to purchase one.

That was the version I had planned to purchase.  The lack of steps is a huge blunder. I had high hopes for this one, but the product delivered did not meet my expectations, and that was a bummer.  Oh well, money that can now be spent on the cab forward or a berk, engines with great detail and smoking whistles!  To me these engines represent the standard for a Legacy steam engine.  I will continue to not purchase any engine Lionel ships that does not meet the detail and features of these engines, just like I passed on the S2.

Thx for a great review.

 

I will get the MTH imperial S2 and save money for the SP DL Cab Forward