USA Trains diesel switcher

1:29 scale, gauge-1 diesel switcher
USA Trains
PO Box 100
Malden MA 02148
Price: $299.95
Web site: www.usatrains.com

1:29-scale model of an Alco S-4 diesel switcher;
two motors; eight-wheel drive; fan-powered
smoke unit; directional headlights; cab light; cab
interior; opening doors; mostly plastic construction;
control switches for motor, lights, smoke,
and sound (sound system not included); supplied
with hook-and-loop as well as USA’s knuckle couplers;
some minor assembly required; instructions
supplied. Tractive effort, 1 lb. 9 oz., or enough to
haul about 20 average freight cars. Current draw:
1 amp at 22V, full slip. Dimensions: length over
end beams, 173/16″; width, 4″; height over cab
roof, 61/8″. In 1:29 scale, this works out to 41’6″ x
9’8″ x 14’10”, respectively

Pros: High fidelity to prototype; high detail level;
excellent graphics and paint; opening doors; packaging
easily modifiable so that loco with handrails
attached can still be carried in the box; excellent
slow-speed operation; reasonable top speed; reasonable
hauling capacity

Cons: End handrails and coupler lift levers difficult
to install; headlights don’t come on at lowest
speeds; shiny, silver wheels

USA Trains’ latest offering is this fine
Alco S-4 switcher. The American Locomotive
Company (Alco) produced its
1,000 hp S-4 diesel switchers starting in
1950. This locomotive was largely their
S-2 model, upgraded with AAR type-A
trucks. Nearly 1,000 of this model were
made, including around 150 made in
Canada at the Montreal Locomotive
Works, and they ended up on railroads
all over North America.
USA Trains’ model is a close replica of
the prototype. Because so many were
made, and because so many railroads
used them, there may well be detail differences
between the model and your
favorite prototype. However, the basic
model will provide you with an excellent
starting point for kitbashing. Our review
sample is painted in Santa Fe’s blue-andyellow
freight colors.
The locomotive follows the company’s
usual practices for this type of engine. It
is powered by two self-contained motor
blocks, each powering all wheels. The
weighted body is highly detailed and cab
doors open and windows slide. Directional
lighting is standard, as is the fan-driven
smoke unit. The engine is supplied
with an instruction book that covers all
the basics.
Some assembly is required in the form
of installing the metal handrails, supplied
separately. On our review sample I found
that the side rails slid into place easily-so
easily that you might want to help them
stay there with a little glue. The end rails
and coupler lift levers, on the other hand,
didn’t want to go in at all without having
the paint removed from the ends or the
holes widened out. This is a common problem
with USA Trains’ products. I chose the
latter solution, drilling out the holes with a
#53 drill in a pin vise. It’s still a fiddly process
getting the little brackets that hold the
lift levers in place, but once it’s done, the
engine looks great.
In operation the engine’s performance
is very good-smooth, relatively quite,
and powerful. It will creep along at a
sub-walking pace. Top speed is not unreasonable
for mainline service. At the upper
end there is a little gear noise, but I didn’t
find it objectionable. At the lowest end,
the headlight will not come on until the
engine has a little speed on it. Then it
shines brightly. The locomotive has
enough power to haul 20 or so cars on
straight, level track, before the wheels
start to slip.
USA’s Alco S-4 fits nicely into the midsize
switcher range. It is offered in 16
road names plus a couple of Christmas
get-ups. It’s a well detailed, well constructed,
smooth running, workaday
engine that should find a home on many
1950-1970 era, standard-gauge garden
lines.