I’ve had my eye on an SW1500 for a month or two now but it seems I can only PRE-order the Athearn model from a couple of select websites (wholesaletrains.com is one). I’m a little weary of pre-ordering two + months out.
I came across a couple of MP15’s made by Atlas for roughly $30 more available through eBay.
I really like the detail that the Athearn offers, but I hear the Atlas models are better runners.
I’m modeling Burlington Northern if you have any other suggestions for me regarding switchers and where I can readily find them. I’m running DC with hopes of upgrading to DCC within a year or two.
Will,I have the Athearn SW1500 and its a extremely smooth runner. .The Atlas MP15DC can double as a road unit…Both are excellent models.
BTW…Don’t believe everything you hear bad about Athearn…Many modelers expect a Kato like drive in a lower price locomotives.Not going to happen…
The SW1500 has a Mashima motor…My fanasty CR GP60Ms are smooth runners as well…Some Athearn RTR locomotives have the Athearn growl but,not overly loud.
I have a couple of Proto 1000 (now called Walthers Proto) SW9/1200s, and I love 'em. They’ll crawl at a snails pace, QUIETLY and have decent detail. The ONLY problem I had was that the rear light (the one over the cab) wouldn’t light on one of them; just a loose connection.
I don’t know if era makes a difference in your selection. The Third Edition (printed 1993) of Diesel Locomotive Rosters lists the following numbers of units for Burlington Northern switchers:
#5, 14 (quantity 2) NW2u;
#20-65 and #300-324 (quantity 71) SW1500
#s162-164, 166 and various in 170-255 range (quantity 65) SW1200
#449, 574-577, 579-585 (quantity 53) SW1000
#1000-1004 (quantity 5) MP15
#70 (quantity 1) SW1
#169 (quantity 1) SW9
Those numbers and proportions would have changed over time. Railroads usually like to assign similar equipment where it will be serviced out of the same shop, so the MP15s may well have been assigned to one area. The numbers above would suggest that for that particular period or “snapshot”, the SW1500 would be more indicative of BN. What do the photos of the area/time that you model suggest? It may be worth waiting a bit to obtain a better match to your prototype.
Gentlemen, thank you for your responses. I have always been enchanted with BN because it’s what I saw the most growing up near Tacoma, WA. UP also has lines in the area.
Regarding era, I’m doing 70’s to present…roughly. I have a BNSF GP38 and a BN GP50 along with a AT&SF steamer (on the shelf) that I may use for a “sight seeing” passenger train or something. I remember riding a steamer train out of Elbe, WA when I was a kid on a tour of the mountains.
Right now, I’m slowly building a shelf switching layout that’s a take-off of one of MR’s that might ultimately become a second level of a 4x8. I forget the name of the prototype, but it was based back east near Philadelphia. However, MY model will utilize this track plan, but in a North West setting. So, not exactly prototype, but still a convincing operation. This is basically a layout that will get me back into the hobby. Since I’m limited on space, I thought a shorter BN switching engine would be appropriate while the others are stored until I expand.
Here’s a pic of an SW1000 in the Tacoma Yard that I just found:
Anyway, I first found some SW1000’s near Tacoma in photos and honed in on those. But the offerings I found were very limited because it is a discontinued Athearn product. I want handrails along the sides and a beacon light on top. Not too much to ask but I haven’t found this in an SW1000 for this roadname. I then found the above mentioned SW1500, but it’s pre-order and I’m not liking that idea too much. It did however meet my simple criteria.
I may just buy an SW1000 (found one on eBay) and add a beacon light at a later time. Either way, it’s fun to hunt for and discuss these engines with you guys.
Once ran a SW1500 on a small yard at a summer camp. Extremely well, I must add, I think it was a Walthers though. My personal preference, though, lies with the old GP9. My small fleet contains only one, and it is a little speed demon! That would be a bottom of the barrel Model Power locomotive too.
I was thinking the same thing Dave. [;)] I don’t know the storry because I found that picture online and just linked to the image address. I thought it was a cool picture because it shows a BNSF engine similar to the one I have in the same shot with that nasty looking SW1000.
BTW I found an Athearn SW1000 that fits my criteria. It’s part no ATH95802. It’s gonna be tough finding one I think.
I have a couple (Proto 2000 is what I think you meant), a Wabash SW9 and an EMD SW8, they are fantastically smooth and silent and crawl at one tie a minute, but to install a dcc board you have to cut the front part of the weight off, at least in the Life-Like version, no big deal since these little critters won’t be hauling a long line of cars anyway. Also once in awhile the headlights stop working, an easy fix, just clean the contacts inside.
I have an Athearn Genesis MP15AC. It is a great runner. No compliants. I also have an older GP9, that I dropped a decoder in. After I did that, it was a good runner, but took alot of juice to get going. She is currently in my shop as I am upgrading the motor in the hopes she will be a better runner.
I plan on using the GP9 for larger loads out on the main, and my MP15AC in my yard and for serving the two lumber related industries.
If you buy an NCE SW9 SR decoder you don’t have to do any modifications to a Life-Like GM switcher. The NCE decoder is a direct replacement for the light board. I have six Life-Like GM switchers with NCE decoders and they all run well.
I have a couple of Life-Like SW9s in BN colours. Life-Like did the SW9 and the SW8 in Burlington Northern before Walthers bought the company.
F.Y.I: MODEL TRAIN STUFF is having clearance sale on HO & N stuff, including locos. Check them out., I just got Atlas Alco HH600 Silver for $76.25 and that included shipping. It was selling on ebay for $110 and up[to $149 retail price]. Am Very Happy with the little critter! My 2 cents…papasmurf in NH
Oh yeah! I just remembered! The BN that I ran at camp is avalible in www.disounttrainsonline.com. The link is bad though, don’t try it. The loco did, however, have a non-funtioning beacon at the top, and I think that the Athearn GP15-1 comes in a BN scheme, great for a 70’s to present era, and I think it too had a beacon on top of the cab. Happy hunting!
This is the Life Like Proto 2000 SW9 with the NCE SW9 decoder installed. A very easy install and it runs great; very smooth and the detail is fantastic.
