Ideas for an HO SW1001?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Any ideas for modeling a SW1001 in HO? Reading had a bunch of these beasts, and there’s no model available.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/rdg/rdg2601ags.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/rdg/rdg2612ags.jpg

My first thought was to start with an Athearn SW1000. Simply chop the cab down, and ignore the difference in the walkway height. I also considered melding an Athearn SW1000 long hood with a P2K SW1200 frame and cab.

Any others?

Nick

2

Nick,

As soon as we start a project like this Athearn or ATLAS will announce it.

A couple things to remember about the SW 1001.

The cab is about a foot longer than a standard EMD cab. The door louvers on the hood of the engineers side are a little different but can be modified or just left alone.

For clearance purposes, the SW 1001 used the older style EMD switcher frame, cab, and walkway. The SW 1000 hood was used and it is mounted on the frame with about a one foot riser off the walkway. The height of the top of the SW 1001 hood will be the same as the height of the standard SW 1000. The pilot top at the MU step is also about a foot higher than the walkway.

I also think the starting place is the Proto 2000 SW switcher but I think the motor is too wide for the Athearn SW 1000 hood.

If you study the new Athearn SW 1000 I think the P2K walkways can be placed on it, frame of SW 1000 will require modification, than use the SW 1000 hood with the riser and an extended EMD switcher cab. The sand boxes at the rear of the cab will need to be scatchbuilt. The forward sand boxes I beleive are manufactured.

It is puzzeling why the last of the EMD switchers like this one are not available.

There are many roads that used these. Reading, Conrail, CSX (two versions) Norfolk Southern, all the dog pound versions and I am sure a few that I have missed.

3

Yeah, that’s the way it always goes. I was getting ready to start a GP39-2 kitbash, when Atlas Trainman released them.

Your ideas pretty much parallel mine. I did find a resin kit from Island Model Works http://islandmodelworks.com/SW1001.html

From the picture, the detailing looks a little crude compared to the P2K and new Athearn releases. Does anyone have any experience with Island Model Works?

Nick