S-2 and S-4 diesel switcher options

In Brass, there have been two series plus.  

First NJCB did the s1-s4 series in the (I think ) 80s.   They are decently detailed and have robust ALL nation mechs.   I think at the time NJ was importing the brass shells and buying the mechanisms from All Nation.   Their RS3 and RS1 are the same way.  I have an RS1 and an S1 both are nice looking and run well.   I did remotor one with a can motor.

Next that I am aware is Carworks - the guy that imports a lot of street cars and interurbans.   I think he did all 4, the S1-S4 also.    Slightly better detail than the NJ but not much.   I like the NJ trucks better because they have deeper relief.   These were brass bodies and used weaver mechanisms.   Again good runners and P&D Hobbies has all the mechanical parts to repair a mechanism.    I think these were done in the mid-90s. 

I also think Overland Models has done at least an S4 with and without Pennsy antennas.    I don't know if they have done the S1 or S2 models.   

After that, Lionels S1 in plastic is very nice, but takes a lot of work to convert to 2 rail.  

Gilmaur makes a body kit and you provide your own mechanisms.   

You might try this website for some basic research.   they don't have every thing but I think have documented everything that ever passed through their hands.   It is pretty extensive.  

http://www.brasstrains.com/brassguide

PrrJim,

Thank you for teh detailed reply.    I would be very keen to get a model.  Out here on the west coast it is hard to find brass models.    If you come across one, please let me know!

I did some searches of the brass sites and came up empty.  there was one on Ebay in April according to the search.

Maybe this thread will shake something out.  

A good show to find stuff is the March Meet in Chicago.    It has a "flea market" as big as a national and attracts a wide variety of vendors.

Jim,

I don't travel as its too much $---   hoping someone can locate a model for me.... 

Thx

Don't pass up the Lionel. The cab and hood are plastic, everything else metal. They have 1 center mounted motor and runs well after conversion.

I have a third one already converted and unpainted if you are interested.

Here is the first one I did.

Malcolm

Very nice Malcom! Anything to watch out for when doing the conversion?

I would be very interested to hear how you filled in the gaps in the pilot and mounted scale couplers Malcom. I have a Chessie version that I keep considering converting.

Malcolm

I may have interest. please email me offline so we can discuss...

Thanks

I filled the pilots with styrene and mounted couplers on styrene too. I think I have some photos of that if I can find them.

The Last one I have is no longer available.

Malcolm

Worst part is making the wheel wipers, the rest is easy. Malcolm

MTH offers these both ways. Just remove the rollers and flip the internal switch for 2 rail!

Some MTH units are also offered with scale 2r wheels.

Coupler conversions are easy too.

Do you have any pics of your wipers? I just ordered the NWSL conversion kit, a Sensi-press, Wheel puller V, and some other parts to do some conversions on my S4 and a pair of GP-30s.