Hi I would like some opinions about the S12 from Stewart.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/691-4903
I’m thinking about using one as a switchengine but I would like to know how good they are and how Stewart engines in general are. I’m going to put a decoder in it and go DCC with it.
Thanks, Magnus
Top notch. Cant do better in terms of running characteristics and detail.
Here is a link to 4 of them that I custom painted/detailed for a customer and installed sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6PMe0Ez_XA
David
Thanks, they looked great. Is it easy to fit the DCC decoder in them? It seems to be tight of space.
Magnus
Magnus,
As David states, Stewart locomotives are top-notch when it comes to running and pulling. Their Buehler and Cannon motors were strong and quiet.
Detailing is good but not as nice as Proto 2000, Atlas, Kato, or BLI. And their paint jobs tend to chip easier than other manufacturers.
Stewart does make super-detail kits for their F-series locomotives. I don’t know if they do for their S12s.
I have a VO-660 switcher and an FT. I wouldn’t hesitate a second about getting another Stewart.
Tom
I have an SP S-12 from Stewart. The paint, detail, and running quality are all excellent, and the details were fairly easy to install. The only detail parts that need glue are the stainless steel windshield wipers. All the other parts are press-fit. Mine runs very smoothly and quietly, with only a little motor and gear noise, and handles switches just fine. If I ever want another switcher, I’m going with Stewart![:D]
I have a VO-1000 and it has a drop in decoder from NCE. It is without a doubt the best switcher I have. I think the S-12 is the same size or larger so it should work for it.
David, can you give us some insight on putting sound in one. I see that LokSound now has sounds for them and I have been chopping at the bit to try it.
I cut off the front bit of the weight to make room for a Digitrax sfx decoder. I used a soundtraxx oval speaker in the front where the wieght used to be. The sound isnt very good because the digitrax requires (and includes a 1 inch ) 32 ohm .2watt speaker (That is included) and the soundtraxx speaker is 8 ohm 1watt. It was a very distorted sound, so I put on a 24ohm 1watt resistor and it limited the power to the speaker to a tolerable level (no distortion). I have since ordered 8- 32ohm 0.2watt halfinch speakers from a supply company in the states. This should allow me to bump up the sound for my customer. The capacitor fits under the speaker above the front truck.
Cheers
David
Magnus,
In my VO-660 switcher, I have a Digitrax DN143IP decoder. (The “N” designates that it’s an N-scale decoder.) Because the DN143 is small, there was no need to hog out any part of the chassis to fit it in. I would think that the VO-660, VO-1000, and the S12 are all about the same size physically.
I also have front and rear working headlights. Tim @ Empire Northern has a nifty jig for cutting slots that hold the LED firmly in place. Looks pretty sweet when you change direction in the yard.
Lastly, the DN143IP comes with back EMF so it really crawls on speed step 001. It also comes with what’s called “switching speed”. By programming CV54 and giving it a value of “1”, you can half the speed of the locomotive just by pressing F6. This is quite handy when yard switching. Press F6 again and you restore the locomotive to regular speed again.
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
Thanks for all the tips guys. I will probably get one of these beautys with my next order. I must have a switch engine and this would be perfect.
Lillen
Ditto on the comments above. I have two of them; a DS-4-4-1000 and an S12. NCE also makes a small decoder, N14IP, that just plugs in.
Jon Grant and Carl even installed sound in a Stewart/Bowser DS-4-4-1000.
http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1056331/ShowPost.aspx#1056331
Regards,
I fit a TCS T-1 in my DS4-4-1000 no problem. The Baldwin switchers from Stewart are very nicely detailed, unlike their F’s which are somewhat plain but have dress-up kits available to add all the grabs and so forth. The switchers are made for Stewart by Ajin, better known for their brass. And the Canon motor used is second to none. My DS4-4-1000 drew only 0.02 amp running on DC. The motor is so efficient that when cutting the power, the headlight remained illuminated while the loco coasted - the flywheels kept the motor spinning and generating enough voltage to light the LED.
–Randy
How would you compare them to the BLI NW2 Switchers?
With shipment the difference in cost between a DCC converted Stewart and a sound equipped BLI only comes to around 40$. That makes me consider the BLI alternative. What do you guys think. I have never seen or looked at a Stewart in person but I do have a BLI engine and it runs, looks and sounds good.
Decisions, decisions…
Magnus
I have a DS4-4-1000 and a VO 660. They have the same or a very similar chassis and motor to yours.
They are absolutly great switchers.