I have a project that started with SW7s and I have decided after a few parts decided to no longer cooperate to possibly switch the plan to SW1000s which still fit into my era.
As I recall, some of Athearn’s blue box diesels used the same underframes on different types of locomotives. My question is this: Is the underframe used on the plastic sideframed SW-7 the same underframe used on the SW-1000? I seem to recall that the trucks are the same. I just don’t remember if the underframes are.
Thank you for your assistance with my inquiry.
I have both a Athearn BB SW1000/1500 and an Athearn BB SW7. A side by side comparison reveals the frames are different.
The SW1000/1500 frame is Athearn Part# 39016
The SW7 frame looks to be part# 41018
The truck side frames are also different SW7 has AAR type and the SW1000/1500 has flexi-coil type
Hope this helps
John
Did not Athearn also offer AAR trucks on this model?
If not, cannot the flexicoil sideframes be “unplugged” and the AAR type installed?
Yes,there was a AAR side frame SW1500 in the BB line.IIRC their was two small production runs before the flexicoil truck became standard.
As a side nother there was/is a manufacturer that made after market roller bearing side frames for the SW7 and SW1500.
Yes,the AAR side frame can be used on the SW1500 however,the SW1500 had roller bearings.
A thought.I would contract Athearn to see if they have the RTR SW1500 roller bearing side frames in stock.
I believe that you might be thinking of Smokey Valley: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/676-24
While it is possible Athearn also offered AAR trucks on the BB SW1000/1500 my reply is based on the questions asked, a side by side comparison of the models I own AND the Athearn Parts diagrams for these models. I do not know whether they can be unplugged,or replugged and since it was not part of the OP questions I did not research the matter any further. Are you in need of this information for a project you are doing? If you are I will be happy to check for you.
No, thank you, I don’t need any information. I was just trying to add information to the OP. Brakie, above, I think answered the “did they or did they not make them” question.
As regards the unplug/plug question, the Athearn plastic side frames plug into the trucks and can be removed. If the pins on the Flexicoil side frame are located in the same location as on the AAR side frame, then one could be unplugged and replaced with the other. If you have the ability to check this out, that might help the OP. But I don’t need to know other than out of curiosity and a quest for knowledge.
I’m pretty sure the Smokey Vally sideframes I mentioned in my post are made with the mounting pins in the same location as the original Athearn side frames to facility replacement.
Regards
As regards the unplug/plug question, the Athearn plastic side frames plug into the trucks and can be removed. If the pins on the Flexicoil side frame are located in the same location as on the AAR side frame, then one could be unplugged and replaced with the other. If you have the ability to check this out, that might help the OP. But I don’t need to know other than out of curiosity and a quest for knowledge.
If you look closely at the photo I posted in my first reply you will see the SW7 AAR side frames on my SW1500 D’oh! SW1000.
And yes,indeed it was Smokey Valley I was thinking of.
Thanks for refreshing my memory on the name.