The S-Motor: Let's See Yours

Lionel’s model of New York Central & Hudson River S2 Electric #3207 (SKU: 6-84507) was cataloged in 2017 at MSRP $799.99 and is one of my favorites. It is highly detailed, runs well, and has the interesting sounds of an electric locomotive.

#3207 was built in 1906 and the last S2 was retired in 1981 – more than 70 years later. My grandsons visited yesterday and the really enjoyed running this locomotive.

MELGAR

I purchased my model of NYC’s S1 electric locomotive just a few months ago and absolutely love it.  Here it is idling at the head of a haul of NYC Pacemaker box cars and then in action as it pulls this consist.

I don't have the S-motor (I do have a 3rd Rail T-motor), but...

The real thing has apparently been rescued and along with the T-motor, have arrived at the Danbury RR Museum, according to Railfan & Railroad magazine, the current issue of which shows a photo of its body being placed atop a flatcar at the museum while its running gear is repaired:

---PCJ

Lionel S motor pulling Amtrak Superliners.  It can't happen - yet - in the real world.

Here you go:

Jim

...and it's older brother!

Jim

@Jim Policastro posted:

...and it's older brother!

Jim

Hey Jim, who made this tinplate model and in what year? Looks cool!

It's an original Lionel standard gauge - made in the late teens to early 1920s. It was a basket case I put back together.  I repainted just the basic body, but left the pilots original.

Jim

A short commuter run on the Harlem Line…

@Apples55 posted:

A short commuter run on the Harlem Line…

Hey Paul, those cars are very nice. Are they GGD?

@ogauge1217 posted:

Hey Paul, those cars are very nice. Are they GGD?

Good eye!!! Yes, the cars are GGD - I picked them up from Beth at Public Delivery Track a couple of years ago. Very nicely detailed.

Here are a few more pictures and a video of New York Central S2 #3207.

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

Here are a few more pictures and a video of New York Central S2 #3207.

MELGAR

Very cool, excellent layout as well

@ogauge1217,

Thanks for starting this thread. I think the S2 deserves the attention.

Here are a few more pictures and a video of my Lionel New York Central & Hudson River S2 Electric on my 10’-by-5’ layout. The swinging bell can be seen in the video…

MELGAR

One of my few Legacy locos. No, I won't be weathering it. I would like to see some more (a few) scale locos painted in Tinplate colors; this came out far better than I imagined it would. (The cars' construction is a bit cheesy.)

The wiring; the light switches in the sky. Total realism.

@D500 posted:

One of my few Legacy locos. No, I won't be weathering it. I would like to see some more (a few) scale locos painted in Tinplate colors; this came out far better than I imagined it would. (The cars' construction is a bit cheesy.)

Excellent I think Lionel was getting ready to release a Prewar-inspired scale Bi-Polar as well. Wonder what happened with those...

Well guys, here is an old war horse for you.  This is a Lionel #152 circa 1917 based on an S motor shape (ok sort of)

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Well guys, here is an old war horse for you.  This is a Lionel #152 circa 1917 based on an S motor shape (ok sort of)

Don

Over 100 years and still going strong

@ogauge1217- thanks for the comment on my #152, and yes she still does keep going, even the light works (when I remember to put a bulb in it! ) I don't run it too often however because I fear burning out some irreplaceable part!!

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Well guys, here is an old war horse for you.  This is a Lionel #152 circa 1917 based on an S motor shape (ok sort of)

Don

The S-motor is one of the most modeled and recognizable (both scale and toy approximations) locos in the train hobby. Right up there with the GG1 and NYC Hudson. It doesn't get the respect it deserves. And, unlike the NYC Hudson, the NYC S-motor survives - there are two of them left.

StLouis, 2019. The other sexy beast is me.

@D500 - Thanks for the comment and for the picture.  Its good to know that some examples of the S motor survive.

Don