My son is looking for information on what type of switchers are in service by NS. Description and photo links would be great, along with who might have these available in HO - DCC capable.
Thanks
Athearn makes a kit here
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH401
Its not dcc It a BB kit, If its not you can always get a BB harness Kit and it comes with decoder, i too am looking for a NS switcher for my layout for i model A NS route. If all else failes you can always use a conrail switcher for its common on the ns line, but if he wanted NS thats another story.
In Real Life i Have seen sw1001 in Ns colors
Thoose Seem to be most common But theres not alot of HO scale Model Switchers for NS
Atlas makes the MP15DC DCC ready or DCC with sound. I have one in Southern livery and I’m almost 100% positive it comes as a Norfolk Southern as well. If you go for the DCC ready, be advised that only the smallest decoder will work. I installed the Digitrax DN143IP, an N Scale Decoder, and still had to cut off the clips to the access hatch on the top of the locomotive to get it to fit properly. That being said, it runs like a top.
Your photo of NS 2103 (ex RDG 2613, ex CR 9413) brings back fond memories.
I know the second I start kitbashing this ATLAS and Athearn will simultaneously announce this locomotive complete with sound. CSX has ex RDG and ex CR units as well. At least one other class 1 had these and numerous short lines.
These are essentially SW 1000 car bodies (some differences) on the old style , lower SW frame, with the old style cab lengthened by one foot. This was for clearance issues on the RDG where they intended to use them in industrial switching.
Other than eBay where can I find those slides and photos of these ex RDG, CR units? They have a few ex RDG, CR SW 1500 loco’s as well.
NS has several types of switchers in service:
SW1001
SW1500
RP-E4 and RP-E4D (Slugs)
MT-4 and RPU6 (slugs)
No, Atlas does not make one in Norfolk Southern. Switchers for Nortfolk Southern are in short supply. I have one from ConCor . Athearn is the only ones I know who make one right now. I am waiting for Precision Craft Models. They have some SW1500s with and without sound coming out later this year (the date has already slipped once).
As for current roster pictures, here’s the best site I know of:
Engineer Jeff, you are 100% correct, Atlas does not, at least at this time, make a MP15DC with Norfolk Southern markings. However, it would be prototypical to run that locomotive with Southern markings, and many others, up into the late 80’s and early 90’s. Check out www.railpictures.net for some examples.
No, I agree with that. I just hope the PCM units are worth the wait. Thanks for the website. I hadn’t seen that one yet. For this switcher I especially liked:
What’s with the weatherization window on 2401, in Alabama already; and what is the contraption on the top of the slug?