Between 1945 and 1949, more than 1,700 A and B units were sold to North American railroads. Subtle improvements were made during its run, and the S-Helper Service model is that of a Phase II F3.
Our test sample hails from the Chicago & North Western. According to Prairie Rails by Robert Olmstead (MacMillan, 1979), this particular unit, no. 208, was originally Chicago Great Western no. 110-C. It was added to the C&NW roster after the two railroads merged in 1968.
The model
In S scale the S-Helper A unit measures 50 feet, 4 inches (91/2 inches) from its nose to the rear of its frame. The prototype is 49 feet, 2 inches long.
The model comes with a passenger pilot installed. If you long for freight operations, S-Helper includes a freight pilot and an American Flyer-compatible knuckle coupler that you can install out front.
The cab has a fully stocked interior: two crewmen with chairs, a control stand, and a panel with indentations simulating controls and gauges.
The roof features see-through screens on the side and see-through fan shrouds with movable (if you blow on ’em) fan blades.
Add-on details include windshield-wiper arms, lift rings, grab irons (15 on the A unit), horns, and even a handle for the front hatch.
This rig has a nice lighting package – headlights, Mars light, and number board lights – that can be selectively illuminated with a Dallee LocoMatic control box that comes with the locomotive.
Paint application is superb. I liked the fact that the kickplates on the doors are painted a contrasting color, as are the cab door grab irons. Small builder’s plates are added to both A and B units.
The engine has all-wheel power pickup and the die-cast metal truck frames are precision crafted.
If you like S-Helper’s F3 diesel, you’ll want to keep an eye peeled for its Phase I F7 diesel, which should be available by the time you read this.
On the test track
Like previous S-Helper locomotives we’ve reviewed, the F3 set delivered top-notch performance right out of the box. On our S gauge test track I clocked the locomotive’s low-speed average at 8.1 scale mph and high-speed average at 138 scale mph.
Drawbar pull for the 4 pound, 7 ounce A-A engine combo is 1 pound, 3 ounces, equal to roughly 98 pieces of modern rolling stock on straight and level track.
Running at 18 volts with a 20-car mixed make and vintage freight in tow, I clocked the rig at 97 scale mph.
Mechanically the A and B units are straightforward. A single, horizontal can motor powers both trucks using a drive shaft arrangement. A sound-system speaker is mounted at the rear of the A unit, and a tidy group of connectors electrically mate the A and B units.
My primary test transformer was a postwar Lionel KW, but I also used the Lionel no. 1033, MRC PurePower, and MTH Z-4000 transformers and found no compatibility problems.
Running two powered units calls for some electrical gusto, however. I slapped my childhood no. 1033 transformer to the track, and it was tough getting the 20-car test train (with an illuminated caboose) up to any speed beyond a crawl. So stay safe and use a more robust power supply.
You have a choice when operating this engine set. You can use it as-is out of the box or install the little gray LocoMatic box for additional train operating fun.
LocoMatic control
The LocoMatic system, offered for sale individually and in the past with an Atlas O locomotive, hasn’t made a big dent in the O gauge market. To use LocoMatic with three-rail O gauge trains, you need to install a filter, or “choke,” on every piece of rolling stock that contains a light bulb to prevent interference. Not a desirable task.
S gauge is another matter. We ran the F3 with a variety of illuminated cars with no interference. I asked SHS’s Don Thompson about this. He told me that he ordered 1,000 choke sets and has sold about six. Like us, most operators haven’t had any trouble with this. He added that “We have found the more power drops to the track from the power source, the less of a problem this seems to be. On the other hand, when customers call to complain that on certain parts of their layout the horn does not work, our first question is about the number of power feeders to the track and if the caboose has a choke.”
In two previous reviews I’ve written that using LocoMatic enhances operating fun, and I’m pleased to say that it holds true a third time.
The LocoMatic button functions allow you to start and stop the locomotive, control three light settings, operate the horn and bell, and rev up the rig’s diesel sounds.
Setting up LocoMatic is simple. The device needs to be in-line, so the power runs from your transformer to the box and then to the track. A small wall transformer (included) powers the box.
The installation instructions might have been a tad clearer. Rather than just telling you to connect transformer wires to the “A” and “B” terminals, the instruction booklet dubs them “16” and “B.” However, the number on the box is actually “15.”
Using LocoMatic, you have the choice of operating your train two ways. The first uses your transformer throttle for speed. You can still press the LocoMatic buttons to activate the locomotive’s lighting and sound features.
Your second choice is to set the transformer throttle at a desired maximum voltage and operate the locomotive with two buttons: one to accelerate and another to slow down. No worrying about trying to recall which sequence of command control numbers to push, spinning a wheel around, or counting the number of times you wiggle your transformer throttle arm!
The coolest feature is pressing the button and watching the train automatically slow to a halt, then starting the train up to resume its running speed, as if to say, “Look Ma, no hands.”
As for sound systems, S gauge is a wee bit behind O gauge in the battle of the bands. The F3’s sound system is a basic outfit that offers a simple representation of a diesel locomotive appropriate for the model. This includes the expected diesel sounds and also compressor noises and other assorted clunks and thunks.
Thinking ahead to chaps who run their sound systems at full tilt for hour after hour, S-Helper’s Don Thompson told me that S-Helper is upgrading the speaker system to include a 33-MHz capacitor, which will extend the life of the speaker. If you already bought an F3, S-Helper will handle it as a warranty item and upgrade it free of charge.
As is standard for S-Helper power, the locomotive comes with tinplate wheel sets and American Flyer-compatible couplers installed. Scale wheelsets are included in the box.
The S-Helper F3 A-B combo is an exceptionally nice outfit that has good speed range, pulling power, and great looks. The LocoMatic system is a nice value-added feature without being overbearing. Mate the two and you’ve got a great combination!
This locomotive exceeded my expectations. I love the Locomatic feature. I had only one glitch with the engine and the S-Helper folks and the famous customer service streightened it out in no time. This is a super product from a super firm.