Anybody have any ideas where I can purchase a Soo Line EMD SW1? (DC ONLY)
Doug
Well, you have your choice on how you want to paint and model it. SOO had only 1 SW1 on it’s roster.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=77783
Maybe look around on Ebay.
Mike.
Ah, I have fond memories of that little workhorse, as it worked the Soo Line yard in my home town of Waukesha, WI, when I was a teen back in the mid-'50s. My eldest brother and I visited it in the roundhouse in front of the original Wisconsin Central foundry, long since in private hands (polluting the Fox River through the middle of Frame Park). It was in its original livery, black with yellow lettering, in those days, and the roundhouse foreman told us it had a Cummins Diesel as its prime mover. Don’t know if that’s the way it came from EMC/EMD or not. BTW, I always think of First Generation Diesel-electrics as Honorary Steamers…
Deano
If I remember right, I think the foundations, some walls, and “ghost” remnants of the track layout of the roundhouse and foundry was still there into the 70’s and 80’s. The yard seemed to be all there yet, as the SOO still used it.
I went there in the late 70’s to measure a TOFC for the designing of, and possible construction of a ramp that the East Troy Electric was contemplating. That never happend.
I think it was in the 90’s that the current subdivision / housing was being developed. Then, next most of the yard tracks went. Now, only the mainline is there.
I just looked in Ebay, and currently list 90 SW1. This would be a great detailing project. I like that wide front and rear deck, and the SOO SW1 seems to have something different on top of the hood, from others.
From what I’ve read, the Walthers would be the best to start with.
Mike.
EDIT: Just looked at the Waukesha Co. GIS site, and an aerial from 1990 shows everything still there. By 95, it’s a mess, and by 2000 it’s all gone.
Why only one SW1 on SOO’s Roster? If they only had one, then how did the railroad manage when it came to switching and moving cars around the yard?
F units had poor rearward visibilty especialy if it involves a lot of reverse running.
just curious
Looks like had a lot of switchers over the years:
http://sooline.railfan.net/resources/soo-roster2.html
The SW1 was built in 1939, not knowing a lot about the SOO, I’d say they were ‘dipping their toe’ in the waters of deseil. You can see a lot more switcher purchases in the early/mid 50’s on that list, likely replacing all the steam switchers in use at the time.