Does anyone know if the Blue Box, later versions with plastic sideframes, Athearn SW-7 and SW-1500 share the same mechanical chassis assembly?
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I have been “assured” they do by a seller, but would like some confirmation if I can get it.
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Thanks!
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-Kevin
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No. The SW7 and Baldwin S12 has the same frame and drive… The SW1500 has a completrely different frame.
When the SW7 was first released it was called a SW1500 but,it was a SW7. Athearn jump the designed gun thinking the SW1500 would look like the SW7.
As a side note the BB SW1000 shares the same frame and drive as the BB SW1500.
Are you trying to convert it to DCC?
You can check it out here:
Both are listed, on the home page, click on Literature, Athearn has two listings, check both.
Mike.
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No, I dropped a drive mechanism I was using for a project and ruined it. It was modified from an Athearn SW-7 model. I need to replace it.
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-Kevin
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Mike,There is only one listing for the SW1500 the other is the mislabeled SW7 called a SW1500 when it was released in '66 until Athearn changed to SW7 when they released the SW1500…
The sad part is the old SW7 is still being called a SW1500 by some modelers… I do not know why they would still call that SW7 a SW1500 since that’s akin to calling a Chevy Blazer a Silverado…
Thanks Larry, didn’t know that, just going by the listings I seen. As far as drive train, etc. the only difference I noticed was the older version didn’t have the flywheels.
Mike.
No problem…
The early SW7s came without flywheels and when Athearn upgraded their drive from the Jet motors(black motors) to the gold motors they added flywheels-IIRC that was in the late 70s.
I opened one of my SW7’s.
It has a not-gold colored motor. Cast black colored flywheels. Metal sideframes. And sintered wheels.
So. Athearn made SW7’s with plastic sideframes? I must have missed that.
It would be interesting to see a chart of all the different Athearn SW7 “phases”.
Ed
I can’t comment on the differences between the old, mis-identified SW7/SW1500 and the newer actual SW1500, but I had several of the older ones. All of them had cast metal, outside-bearing sideframes. Since I wanted to make mine into SW1200-RS models, I swapped out the stock sideframes for Juneco cast metal Flexicoil sideframes.
Later, when Athearn released the true SW1500, I bought enough of those newer complete Flexicoil truck assemblies to re-equip all four of the locomotives - they were pretty-much a drop-in fit.
As far as motors are concerned, I replaced them when I did the original conversion, and at the same time, eliminated the flywheels in favour of adding more weight. The re-worked locomotives ran great and were exceptional pullers - probably due, in part, to the sintered iron wheels, with which the newer trucks had been originally equipped…
Wayne
I believe the plastic frames came with another upgrade in the mid 80s…Your black motor with black flywheels was the first change from no flywheel to flywheel yours should have the Jet 400 motor which was smaller then the Jet 500 motor.The 500 was used in the four and six axle road units.
Brakie,
That mid '80’s date fits–I think I bought mine in the early '80’s.
Wayne’s work on the SW7’s is interesting. Mine are a Southern cow-and-calf. And I am planning on remotoring them with Kato motors and doing DCC (probably no sound). I was planning on keeping the old wheels for traction. I’ve got the set wired together, so pickup isn’t a problem. Leaving out the flywheels is an interesting option. I’m doing that on another switcher. If it works for me, maybe I’ll leave them out on the Southern set.
Ed
Ed,If you’re interested in upgrading your SW7 side frames Smokey Valley makes rolling bearing side frames that fit the trucks. Item #24 AAR side frames with roller bearings.
Larry,
My Southern set looks to me to be from the olden days. So plain bearings work just fine. They just look so darn railroady!! The units, not the bearings. But I s’pose they do, too.
But, thanks. 'Cause I do have a kupla switcher projects going, one of which is aimed towards a BN fella that did get roller bearings.
Ed
I’ve got one of those Athearn BB SW7’s that I repainted (and did a little detailing on) into my ISL livery. It’s got the plastic sideframes with the flywheels. Some time ago I threatened to remotor it, but I finally got it to run fairly well (I got all the gunk off the wheels, it was caked on!). I bought it used at a train show, so I can’t say what release it was. And, yes, the original box said SW1500.