Im from International Falls, MN and would sit and watch these S-2s run back and forth when i was a kid. Also my step dad worked on the MD&W and my uncle worked there back in the 60's and 70's
my wife seen this clip and said it looks so new that it resembles a toy . I grew up in Fort Frances and remember that sound all hours of night and day.
I love the sound when it this beast accelerates. I grew up on a T&NO railroad line where these were the workhorses on light rail. What is also music to my ears is simply the idle of the ALCO S2. Most engines had horns, but one had an air whisle...beautiful sound. Thanks so much for sharing.
I rode in #18 back in the late 60's when it was Toledo Terminal RR #103. I saw it literally hundreds of times, as the TTRR tracks were in our back yard. I'm happy it's still around. From what I found online, it's stored now, but operational, if needed.
@mngrr All five of their units are S-2's from various railroads. They are deffinetly turbo charged, so they must have went threw a rebuilding process. The blunt trucks are a dead give away. Check out the site, .the diesel shop. us/MDW.HTML Thanks for watching...
They where operating the train with a two man crew in the USA everytime I have been there. The first clip shows the train coming in from just crossing the border out of Canada. Maybe they operate with a belt pack over there. Thanks for watching.
I was raised in Chicago next to a two track spur headed in and out of a B&O yard in the 50's 60's. We were on the tracks every day. and the trains would put me to sleep at night. I new the different engines by sound. I specifically remember these ALCO S2's. The track was on a slight grade heading out of the yard and many times I remember them having problems making it up the grade and stopping and backing back into the yard to build momentum. They were large EMD's screaming. Most times after repeated attempts they would suddenly be flying up the grade. You waited until the end and you heard this little ALCO. at the rear pushing them up the grade. Brings back memories.
Great sound. It so great to hear this engine... Do you know, when they still operate this ALCO's here in 2010 ?. This is a great film, and i would wish we have them here in Denmark.
@mngrr S2's and S4's both have 539T engines, the "T" stands for the fact that they are turbo charged. The only real difference between an S2 and S4 is that an S2 has the Blunt trucks and the S4 has AAR switcher trucks. The differences between an S1 and S3 are the same except there is no turbo charger on those.
I am assuming the locomotive in the video is remote control, i was asking about the full size remote control loco's, it seems it take the same amount of men to do the switching duties. I know about DCC and DCS and TMCC, I use them on my layouts, sorry about the confusion, lol
That's what the S2/S4/S7 series was -- switchers with a 1,000HP 539T (T for Turbocharged) engine. The non-turbocharged versions were 660HP S1/S3s. Essentially the same locomotive with a similar carbody, although there were spotting features to identify the difference -- thin-based stack and upright rectangular radiator section on the S1/S3s.
The sound of this little beauty reminds me of the English Electric engines fitted in many British locos. Seek out class 20 or class 40 and you'll see what I mean.
I am very happy to see that ALCOs are still in commercial operation. From UA-cam channels I notice that ALCOs are used on a certain number of short line operations in New York State and Pennsylvania. I believe ALCOs will continue to operate for years to come.
S-1's and S-3's are not turbocharged and produce around 600 HP. S-2's and S-4's have turbochargers and produce around 1000 HP. The S-1's and S-2's have Alco Blunt trucks and S-3's and S-4's have AAR style trucks.
Radio controlled locomotives operating over a public grade crossing--that would be illegal in a sane world. Actually they should be illegal, period. Fucking corporate insanity.
Im from International Falls, MN and would sit and watch these S-2s run back and forth when i was a kid. Also my step dad worked on the MD&W and my uncle worked there back in the 60's and 70's
Love the sound of their idle and their throttle up.
They did sound great. Loved that turbo wine. Thanks for watching...
Outstanding...... thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching...
Love the sound of her.
my wife seen this clip and said it looks so new that it resembles a toy . I grew up in Fort Frances and remember that sound all hours of night and day.
I love the sound when it this beast accelerates. I grew up on a T&NO railroad line where these were the workhorses on light rail. What is also music to my ears is simply the idle of the ALCO S2. Most engines had horns, but one had an air whisle...beautiful sound. Thanks so much for sharing.
What a lovely crisp turbo sound.
I rode in #18 back in the late 60's when it was Toledo Terminal RR #103. I saw it literally hundreds of times, as the TTRR tracks were in our back yard. I'm happy it's still around. From what I found online, it's stored now, but operational, if needed.
Xcellent video, im from Int'l Falls, MN, my step dad worked on the MD&W back in the day, i live in Alaska now
@mngrr All five of their units are S-2's from various railroads. They are deffinetly turbo charged, so they must have went threw a rebuilding process. The blunt trucks are a dead give away. Check out the site, .the diesel shop. us/MDW.HTML Thanks for watching...
man they sure sound great
That sounds and looks AWESOME!!!! ... I love it 🤪
Cool video. Love the paint scheme. 5*.
Worked with S2s for years, they were worth every penny the Erie and DL&W paid for them. Thanks Jack.
Have you seen the new MP15's they have at the yard now? Still see one of the Alco's sometimes.
I used to live in the Falls, and would watch these Alcos run up and down the tracks all day long
@1225dude: They're probably roller bearing equipped, it's just the trucks still retain their old journal boxes.
They where operating the train with a two man crew in the USA everytime I have been there. The first clip shows the train coming in from just crossing the border out of Canada. Maybe they operate with a belt pack over there. Thanks for watching.
It's fine, as long as someone is on the engine to protect the point.
I love old switchers, I always tend to have quite a few on my layouts.
What is the advantage if any to remote control locomotives?
Nice video.. Thanks, always nice seeing the old Alco's still in use..
I was raised in Chicago next to a two track spur headed in and out of a B&O yard in the 50's 60's. We were on the tracks every day. and the trains would put me to sleep at night. I new the different engines by sound. I specifically remember these ALCO S2's. The track was on a slight grade heading out of the yard and many times I remember them having problems making it up the grade and stopping and backing back into the yard to build momentum. They were large EMD's screaming. Most times after repeated attempts they would suddenly be flying up the grade. You waited until the end and you heard this little ALCO. at the rear pushing them up the grade. Brings back memories.
I so much love the "chirping " ALCO!
They do sound great Sheila. I could listen to them alllll day. Thanks for watching...
Love the sound of those turbos spooling up and down.
@megatwingo Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Those 60 year old + gals sure do sound and look good. Thanks for watching, and take care...
LOVE that burbling sound that only an Alco turbo makes
Alan Sklenar
I like this bell sound too.
No, they don't. Thanks for watching. Jackmp294
@DX721, as in DCC for scale locomotives? Is that what your asking? If you are, you can control multipul locomotives on the same track.
Awesome !!! Favorites.
@thomasmason417 Its MD&W. for, Minnesota, Dakota & Western . Thanks for watching...
Great sound. It so great to hear this engine... Do you know, when they still operate this ALCO's here in 2010 ?. This is a great film, and i would wish we have them here in Denmark.
Nice !
Great sound. Check out videos on Class 20 & Class 40 locos in England and listen for those turbos.
those brakes at the end broke my headphones O.O
I have not heard one of those since the late '60s, at the Northern Pacific's Duluth, MN yard.
They do sound fantastic. Never get tired of hearing them. Thanks for watching...
Super video; it doesn't get any better than an ALCO 539T! Thanks for posting.
Very nice video. A lovely loco and fat diesel sound. Thumbs up from Germany! :)
sure do sound nice, thanks for posting
@mngrr S2's and S4's both have 539T engines, the "T" stands for the fact that they are turbo charged. The only real difference between an S2 and S4 is that an S2 has the Blunt trucks and the S4 has AAR switcher trucks. The differences between an S1 and S3 are the same except there is no turbo charger on those.
The turbo sound is similar to the UK class 20, except they have a V8 power unit.
I am assuming the locomotive in the video is remote control, i was asking about the full size remote control loco's, it seems it take the same amount of men to do the switching duties.
I know about DCC and DCS and TMCC, I use them on my layouts, sorry about the confusion, lol
Great video! Love that sound, crisp transition from idle to power, alot like some UK diesels, I wonder if they borrowed on Alco designs.
S-1 - Non Turbo, blunt trucks, 660 hp ( narrow radiators )
S-2 - Turbo, blunt trucks, 1000 hp ( wide radiators )
S-3 - Non Turbo, AAR switcher trucks, 660 hp ( narrow radiators )
S-4 - Turbo, AAR switcher trucks, 1000 hp ( wide radiators )
All S-2 and S-4 are turbo, 1000 hp. S-1 and S-3 are non-turbo, 660 hp.
Great to hear that its still in service. Are all four still in use? Or did they get some other units. Thanks for the info, and watching...
love the sound of those S-2's
Super filmik!5*!
I could listen to that ALL day!!!
Is there any Wig-wags in this video?
Does that S2 have a notch-less throttle?
Yep, that's an ALCO ! Smoke and all
At least you are consistant!!! You picked to of the coldest places in the US to live. LOL. Thanks for looking. Take care, Jack
What does ND&W stand for and where is it
One person prefers Baldwin.lol Absolutely gorgeous locomotive. Still sounds awesome!
That's what the S2/S4/S7 series was -- switchers with a 1,000HP 539T (T for Turbocharged) engine. The non-turbocharged versions were 660HP S1/S3s. Essentially the same locomotive with a similar carbody, although there were spotting features to identify the difference -- thin-based stack and upright rectangular radiator section on the S1/S3s.
I read about this railroad once before, titled "Alcos in the Icebox."
I think that alco is fore sale is it?
Do the drivers have to show their passports every time they cross the border then?
HOW DOES THIS HAVE 43K VIEWS?
AND WHY DID I WATCH THIS?
are they remote contral I jest what to know
wheres the horn sound at?
I believe there are still 1 or 2 Alcos left on the roster along with the 4 EMD SW10s. If they are gone, hopefully they are earmarked for a museum.
That's a lot of green lol !
The sound of this little beauty reminds me of the English Electric engines fitted in many British locos. Seek out class 20 or class 40 and you'll see what I mean.
Yah! The sure do Nigel, Especially the Class 20. Thanks for pointing that out, and thanks for watching...
I grew up around class 40s so a whistling turbo so one of my favourite sounds. I could listen to this little beauty all day.....
Hello, it's still working?
The turbocharger is what makes it an S2. An S1 and S3 are non-turbo'd, the S2 and S4 are.
@Joe Madej The S2's have blunts as well. Not sure about the S3's, but the S4's have AARs.
@Joe Madej The turbo equipped have larger radiators, both water and oil cooling, because of the HP increase.
0:59 1:29 That thing sounds hot 🤤👌
I am very happy to see that ALCOs are still in commercial operation. From UA-cam channels I notice that ALCOs are used on a certain number of short line operations in New York State and Pennsylvania. I believe ALCOs will continue to operate for years to come.
American Locomotive Co.
I personly prefer steam but these little ALCO s2 switchers are pretty adorable.
I lived there when I was a kid, and this is the same engine that was there then 30+ years ago, they also have a SW10
S-1's and S-3's are not turbocharged and produce around 600 HP. S-2's and S-4's have turbochargers and produce around 1000 HP. The S-1's and S-2's have Alco Blunt trucks and S-3's and S-4's have AAR style trucks.
Radio controlled locomotives operating over a public grade crossing--that would be illegal in a sane world. Actually they should be illegal, period. Fucking corporate insanity.
I believe he asked if it was still running.
its not like its hard to hear the turbos
Heavy load? You can hear that this locomotive has difficulty with this train. I must say: the heavier the train the better the sound.
This alco sounds very good!!!all the cylinders work well!!the biggers Alcos dont sound good as this...
is there anything better then an ALCo puffing out smoke.. Well besides the 16 cylinder U-Boats
remote controlled too
all s-2's had turbos, s-1 and s-3 did not.
800 hp???more....or less??