My sound board is not well. Can anyone help me with removal of the shell? Lionel refuses to assist. Also told me that they will not sell me a sound board for the 6-18993 switcher legacy. It is well out of warranty. Thanks
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According to the parts list, it's $55 and you have to contact Lionel to order it. That usually means you have to trade your old one in for it.
http://www.lionel.com/Customer...4c73418036e60682b477
Who specifically told you you can't buy it? I'd ask for another opinion, perhaps Mike Reagan (Mikado at OGR) can tell you for sure what the situation is.
WB47,
Please allow me to help establish the facts before you state "Lionel is not willing to help me".
1.) The soundboard you are requesting to purchase is a Railsounds 5.5 Legacy Railsounds board. To purchase this board you must first send the defective soundboard in under an RA. This has been the policy since I arrived in service in 2008. In 2012 we allowed the release of Railsounds 2.0 through 4E to customers, dealers and service stations, but the soundboard you want does not fall into that category.
2.) "Lionel is not willing to help me". This is not true. You were most likely told that we would not explain to you how to remove the shell of your S-2 alco switcher. There is a reason for this; if you don't know what you're doing (which we assume because you are aksing how to get the shell off!) the mounting tabs on the cab will break (and then not sit properly on the frame upon reassembly), the front door of the long hood will crack on the hinges and that is just to get the shell off. (add up those parts and you are over $200.00, if they are available!). Replacing the shell you run the risk of pinching a myriad of wires, which can permanently damage multiple boards inside the loco.
You were most likely told that you could send the loco to us for a non-warranty repair (once we begin accepting them after the Holiday rush dies down), for $60.00 labor plus parts. How this was construed as "Lionel is not willing to help me" I do not see, but given all the pit falls with the S-2 that await you......
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me directly at mreagan@lionel.com
Thank you,
Mike Reagan
Director of Customer Service
Lionel
wb47 take mikes advice he's telling u right about the s2. i have a lionel s4 its same way.
I agree, listen to Mike on this one. Although I do remember a while back I myself tried to have an older Alco S-2 sent in for non-warranty repair for a TMCC issue and was simply told by the rep that Lionel doesn't do non-warranty repairs.
These little switchers are absolute devils to get apart, and you need to know exactly what you're doing with a gentle touch in order to not break anything. I've been through the mill with these models and while I could walk you through it, I think I'll wait and see if you go through with Lionel's service.
Thank you, Mike, for taking your time to clarify this for the Forum member. Of course, recountings of the "facts" here by Forumites often contain halftruths and inaccuracies that are misleading.
You are of course absolutely correct not to assist consumers with self-help on removal of these shells. I can say from experience that it is not something anyone should attempt!
The S2 is not the easiest of shells to remove, patience is of the essence.
Good man this Mike Reagan, he has a future ahead of him! 
Thanks Mike for your timely reply. I was not told that I had to trade, I was told by a lady that I had to send the whole unit in, but not to call back until an unspecified date in March. This is when I asked if she could assist me in taking off the shell or send me to a diagram of the unit. The answer was no they would not do that under any circumstances. Hence my comment that Lionel refused to assist. I will simply have to wait this one out with a broken unit as the odds of something being loose inside appear to me to be slim. Apparently independent service centers are not authorized to do this work either as the lady indicated that no repair shops had possession of any and did not suggest trying to go independent when I asked. Hopefully sometime while I am still alive. I can understand Lionel's position if it would compromise a trade secret which I assume is the case. Thanks again for all of those who replied.
WB47
Authorized repair stations can perform the repair. You need to check with your local shop. But believe what everyone says, if you are on blood thinners don't try doing the repair.
Bill
wb47 u can send your engine to boxcar bill. He does great work plus he is reasonable in prices and even shipping price on parts and gives 20% off most parts. He worked on an engine of mine did great job on it and even talk with me thru an engine I was having problem with now it runs really great then it ever did and I order a couple parts off of him too. Plus he stands behind his work.
