Has anyone here purchased the new Walthers Mainline SW1 switcher? How is it and how does it compare to the early 90s Walthers SW1s with the Roco drive?
I have a first-run Walthers SW1 that I converted over to DCC and added a rear LED headlight. It purrs along quite nicely @ 0.33 sMPH. It’s also fairly hefty in weight so it can pull a number of cars. I was just wondering how the newer SW1s compared to the older one.
Thanks for the feedback…
Tom
I got mine last Saturday but have not had time to break the engine in. I did however run it on the three foot test track and it runs like a swiss watch on DC. Smooth starts and creeps along, almost silent. One thing that really impresses me is that it has directional LED headlights not bulbs like Athearn still uses in their engines. The drive looks to be well designed with two flywheels. The Cab and hood just lift off of the frame and there seems to be room for a sound decoder inside. It takes some effort to lift the cab and hood off but I would advise against picking the engine up by either one, but still it makes it easier to get inside. I plan on stripping the paint on mine and repainting it in B&O blue and lettering it for Winchester & Western which is a short line that runs thru my area. Looking at adding a Tsunami 750 sound decoder, I will more than likely hardwire the decoder in rather than use the eight pin socket that is on the board.
Hope this is helpfull.
Jim
Thanks for the input, Jim. I really appreciate it.
It looks like Walthers is already preparing for a 2nd run of SW1s - i.e. RI, PRR, GN, and Amtrak. However, it appears there are no plans on releasing an undecorated version and/or one with sound. Hoping there will be a NYC version in a subsequent run to add to my expanding switcher roster.
Tom
I just got my five today…Milwaukee Road…to be stripped later and repainted into the Birdsboro & Reading scheme…I bought western road units so I don`t really feel bad about stripping and repainting.
That’s funny. I model SP, and strip “eastern roads”, without feeling bad. But I can’t seem to strip a UP GP38 loco. Too close to home![8D] Dan
An undecorated version?
What’s that?
Rich
Primed but not painted, Rich. Some details (e.g. windows) may be left off, as well, to help facilitate painting. I have an Atlas HH660 and Proto 2000 H10-44 switcher that are both undecorated that I hope to paint and detail in the NYC scheme at some point.
Tom
Received my Milw. Rd #1610 last week. Looks terrific, runs smooth and quiet.
But… both headlights are greenish. Emailed Walthers as to why they produced it this way and will they fix… no reply yet.
Bottom line: Walthers went for cheap on the LEDs. [N] Athearn did the same thing with their 2-8-2 Mikes. [xx(]
I wouldn’t bother sending the units back to Walthers for repair/replacement. Just unsolder the pukey green LEDs and switch them out for some nice golden-whites.
Tom
I just got a reply from Walthers. They offered to replace the lights and will send me a return authorization. I will give them a chance to fix their error as my soldering skills are way out of date.