Lionel Pennsylvania S2 Steam Turbine: The Most Unusual Locomotive You Can Own

The Pennsylvania Railroad S2 Steam Turbine is one of the most fascinating machines in American locomotive history — a direct-drive steam turbine in a sleek, futuristic shroud that looked more like a jet age concept than a 1944 steam engine. Only one was ever built, and it ran the Broadway Limited out of Chicago. Now Lionel has immortalized this one-of-a-kind locomotive in O-gauge, and the result is every bit as striking on your layout as the real thing was on the PRR mainline. **What Makes It Special** Unlike conventional piston-driven steam engines, the real S2 used a turbine to drive the wheels directly — no side rods, no reciprocating motion. That gave it an eerie, silent glide at speed that mystified engineers and passengers alike. Lionel captures this character beautifully. The streamlined shrouding is accurate and imposing, and the Legacy command system brings it alive with authentic turbine sound effects that you simply won't hear from any other locomotive in your collection. **Build Quality and Detail** The die-cast construction is rock solid. Lionel has nailed the distinctive nose and smooth flanks of the prototype, with PRR keystone heralds in the right places and crisp lettering throughout. The cab interior detail is visible through the windows, and lighting is realistic and controllable via Legacy. The running gear detail under the shrouds, while partially hidden by the prototype's design, is faithfully rendered. **Performance** On the track, the S2 is smooth and powerful. It handles curves down to O-72 well, and the Legacy-controlled momentum system lets you simulate the real locomotive's gradual turbine acceleration. Slow-speed creep is excellent — no stuttering at low throttle. Sound includes working steam turbine hiss, whistle, bell, and a solid complement of crew chatter. **The Bottom Line** If you model the PRR or simply love unique locomotives, the Lionel S2 is a must-own. It's the only O-gauge model of this prototype made to modern standards, and it brings genuine historical intrigue to any layout. At $649.99, it's priced for the serious collector — and delivers serious collector quality in return.