Since my layout has tons of switching, I need to purchase a couple of switch engines. Im not talking about GPs and I already have a critter, 44 tonner, and a little 0-6-0. Im looking for a good quality, reasonably priced switcher of the SW or NW type size. Sound is not a necessity, but its neat, so if you like the BLI switchers go ahead and post that too.
Thanks[:D]
I really like my Atlas S2. They are older models, but well made and easy to convert to DCC. Smooth quiet runners. The P2K models are good also. I am not as happy with my Athearns, but then they cost a lot less. I got a BLI one also and had a few tracking problems. One truck would not turn correctly. Turned out to be a trapped wire.
P2K. Stewart, Atlas,. or Walthers (SW1 or H10/12-44)
I like my Atlas Classic S1, my Stewart S8 and my P2K SW9.
I’ve owned various brands and types of diesel switchers in HO scale, and I would say that my Life-Like GM switchers are the best running locos. They are geared down for slow speed and the motors are very similar to the smooth running Kato motors found in the early Atlas RS units. If you want to use them with DCC, NCE (North Coast Engineering) makes a decoder that is a direct replacement for the existing circuit board.
For the money I would say Atlas. I have Atlas and Broadway. The Atlas can pull a lot more than the Broadway.
The walther Sw1 is a good little switcher i have 3 of them, pretty heavy and pretty good runners.
I have three kato EMD-nw-2’s(in S.P. colors)and and two anthrens An sw1500,and a sw-7cow.The three KATO’s are excellant runers and workers,they are quite,heavy,and reliable.The two anthrens(BLUE BOX) are ok.but to light.I have pulled 29 cars so far with one KATO.I got all three of my KATOs from E-BAY for under $50.00 apeace.
[^] Jim
While I have several brands of switchers my favorite remains a old Athearn SW7.Of course this unit has seen many years of service and is quiet and well worn in.
Joe,
Without doubt, the P2K Alco S1 switcher from Trainworld.com. Regularly $110 MSRP, it can be had for $29.99 - $39.99 - depending on road name.
GREAT details and VERY smooth low speed for switching. Mine absolutely crawls! The only downside to the P2K S1 is that if you wan to install in a decoder, you’ll need to isolate the motor from the frame. Even so, still the best $29.99 I’ve spent to date on a locomotive!
I just bought a Stewart Baldwin VO-660 switcher with decoder and replacement golden-white LEDs for under $100 from Empire Northern Models. Tim Smith is the owner and I let him do the back headlight LED installation because he had the jig to make the job easier. He installed that and the decoder - NO extra charge. [:)]
The Stewart drive in the VO-660 is a Canon so it runs smoothly and quietly - not quite as smooth as my S1 but still nice. (I’m using a Bachmann EZ Command DCC system to run my layout so I don’t have the capability to tweak the CVs. I would suspect the smoothness to get better if I could.)
Anyhow, I hope that helps…
Tom
HO: My Stewart VO-660 with an NCE decoder is by far the strongest switcher I have. My P2k, S1with an N scale NCE decoder is probably the smoothest.
I have a BLI SW7 with very good sound (adding to the fun), but because of its weight is not quite as strong as the others. It is still ideal for yard work and can handle a dozen cars on flat track.
I would recommend any of the above.
REX [:)]
Rex,
I always knew you had good taste in switchers…[:)]
Tom
My favorite switchers are my P2K 0-6-0s, 0-8-0s and S-1s.
If you are into kits the old Hobbytown swtcher chassis is a classic. Sideframes aren’t quite up to snuff but if you build the kit you can update the sideframes. coupled with a can motor they will outcraw nearly everything but definitely not for the I have to have it today crowd. Then you can pop the EMD shell of choice on top.
Now, if I can just figure out how to put sound in the VO and S1. Maybe hire the little people that mess things up on my layout after midnight. [(-D] [:D]
REX
Sorry Athearn gets my vote. The level of detail is not quite as good but the price you can’t beat. A SW7 cost $45 or so.
where would you get a hobbytown kit?
Sorry, GP_38-2. Still doesn’t beat $29.99 for a P2K S1.
Rex,
I think we’d have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than getting sound in either one. Although I haven’t measured it, I think the VO-660 might have a little more room under the hood than the S1. Alas, probably not enough though…[:(]
Tom
My SW9 from P2K ran great before I converted it to DCC and with the NCE decoder and some imagination concerning wiring the lights it runs great on DCC too.
Bob DeWoody
I have two Atlas Classic RS1’s and they are great little runners. I heard that Con-Cor has good ones too. I’m looking for a SW9