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How To Disassemble An ATLAS HO ALCO S2? Locos and rolling stock
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Regular poster 362 posts WANDRR Regular poster 362 posts
WANDRR

I have an ATLAS Master Line Series HO scale ALCO S2 with ESU LocSound and I'm attempting to disassemble it for a repaint (currently in B&O livery), but I can't figure out how to get it apart!  When I was a kid, getting the F7 shell off a frame was as simple as getting a finger nail between it and the chassis.  Not so with the more modern models apparently.

I removed the screws from the lower portion on the coupler boxes and removed the two-piece couplers from both ends.  Then I removed two #1 Phillips head screws from the underside thinking they were holding the shell on, but nothing seemed to give.  Then I removed three #0 Phillips head screws that were barely accessible under the trucks.  But again, nothing seemed to want to give.  I don't want to force anything or get ham-fisted, but I can't figure out how it comes apart exactly.  It does appear that the shell (Hood?) and Cab are separate from the chassis, but it's not coming apart (easily).  

I tried to find a YouTube video of disassembly but I didn't find anything specific enough to help me out.

Can anybody here help me out?  Got photos?  Or better yet, a video?

TJ R.

Mobile, AL (Originally from New Haven, IN)
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Bob Dye Active Member 88 posts
Bob Dye

Maybe this

Found this on the Atlas page - http://download.atlasrr.com/DCC/HO-Scale%20Alco%20S-2%20Booklet%20Quick%20Start%20for%20DC%20and%20DCC.pdf

Go to last page.
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pennsylvania1954 Regular poster 101 posts
pennsylvania1954

Atlas S2 Shell Removal

Bob found it for you. Step 4 on the last page is the key. The cab fits tightly. One whole side of the cab must be flexed outward slightly to disengage the tab midway on the inside of the cab side. Once you can see some space below one cab side, work on the other side. Fingers only; tools will damage the plastic.

The cab must be removed first, then the long hood tilted cab end up carefully  Be careful with the tab protruding down from the bottom of the end of the long hood; it is easily damaged. Voice of experience......

Steve Hoxie

Pensacola FL
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WANDRR Regular poster 362 posts
WANDRR

Thanks Guys

Now that part's done.  The window glazing is cemented in a few spots, and the headlight housing inside the cab appears to be either cemented or even plastic welded into place, making removal of the light almost impossible.  My intent is to soak the parts in 91% Isopropyl  Alcohol to remove the paint.  Is it safe to soak the lamp?

The next task is to remove the trucks from the chassis, I already got the motor and PC board removed.

This seemingly simple tear-down is turning into an exercise in patience for sure!

TJ R.

Mobile, AL (Originally from New Haven, IN)
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SBrooke Regular poster 318 posts
SBrooke

Progress?

Hi TJ,

How did you make out with your project? I've been thinking of picking up a couple S2's for my yard and would be repainting them as well...

 

Thanks,

Ben

 
Ben
 
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WANDRR Regular poster 362 posts
WANDRR

Some progress...

But not as much as I should have done for having seven days off!

I got it all disassembled and soaked in the alcohol bath to remove the paint.  I return home again Wednesday night for my next week off, and I intend to get primer and paint on this week, at a minimum.  Then it'll be ready for reassembly, decals and weathering.

 

TJ R.

Mobile, AL (Originally from New Haven, IN)
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railandsail Prolific poster 8,773 posts
railandsail

Interesting disassembly

That's of interest to me as I just ran a test with one of these as a pusher engine for my steam locomotives. It worked great. It has very good weight, and seems to have good power.

Brian

1) First Ideas: Help Designing Dbl-Deck Plan in Dedicated Shed
2) Next Idea: Another Interesting Trackplan to Consider
3) Final Plan: Trans-Continental Connector
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railandsail Prolific poster 8,773 posts
railandsail

Die-Cast Metal version?

I get the impression there were a few different builders of these S2 locos for Atlas. Thus far I seem to see one in China and one in Austria?

I have one of them that was built in China, and it is a very heavy engine with a die-cast metal chassis. Did the other versions possess these heavy chassis??

 

 

Brian

1) First Ideas: Help Designing Dbl-Deck Plan in Dedicated Shed
2) Next Idea: Another Interesting Trackplan to Consider
3) Final Plan: Trans-Continental Connector
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