I’m looking to purchase a good HO yard switcher unit to be used in my mini mill/steel mill portion of my DCC layout. Looking for one that needs to run slow and smooth for switching duties in the mill. Looking at both a Kato EMD NW2 or Atlas MP15 unit. I have a Kato Dash9 that runs great and Athearn units that run good. Never owned an Atlas, but heard good things about them. Need some suggestions out there. Thanks!
I’ve heard good things about the 15s, but for a mill, the NW2 is the righht setting. Most likely, purchased secondhand by the mill. NW2s and the early SWs just seem to be mill engines.
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I’m very satisfied with my later Atlas purchases, and I have a number of them.
If I were you, I would pick up a GP-7 or GP-9. either low hood or high hood depending on where your layout is located in America. This would be for the reason that in some areas there are a larger number of one kind or the other that they would more than likely pick up second hand.
Do not hesitate on Atlas now, these are very good units.[tup][tup]
Johnboy out…
Depending on your time frame you might consider an Atlas S2. I have 2 of these and they they both purr along beautifully. One has a TCS M1 decoder and the other a Digitrax DZ143. I prefer the TCS, If you’re wanting something with sound these would be a challenging install so you might consider an Atlas with sound.
Joe
Joe,
Any particular era or road name you are modeling? Sounds like you are more interested in a modern switcher vs. an early or 1st general diesel.
For the smoothest diesels, Stewart Buehler and Canon drives are 2nd to none. The choices and eras are limited though.
Tom
Johnboy, Located in PA, part of the Pittsburgh Line in present time, but bringing back the once great steel industry, with a fictional mini mill located in Pittsburgh.
OK, I’ll ask: What era is your layout set in? And where are you on the prototypical - to - freelanced line?
I have a Proto S1 and a Proto SW8. The SW8 came with QSI sound. The S1 came with no decoder. I installed a simple decoder myself, and then payed someone else to install sound later. I’m very happy with both of these engines. They have good low-speed performance. The S1 is naturally heavy. The SW8 has a set of traction tires, because they basically took out all the weight to make room for the sound system. Still, it runs well and pulls well, although it is more prone to stalling on turnouts than other engines.
I would imagine that most “mill engines” are bought second-hand. So, you’re probably going to want one that came out 10-15 years before your layout’s time frame.
Located in PA, part of the Pittsburgh Line in present time, but bringing back the once great steel industry, with a fictional mini mill located in Pittsburgh.
Tom:
The OP didn’t specify his era and seemed to be interested in the quality of Atlas switchers so I gave him my opinion of Atlas based on my experience.
Joe
Hey Joe,
I was actually addressing the OP, assuming from his profile name that it was “Joe”. Sorry for the confusion.
Tom
Thanks, I heard Protos are good HO locos too. I have an Athearn SW1500 NS unit (blue box) but need something that will run slower and smoother. Sometimes stalls on the turnouts as well. I know about turnouts and DCC being more prone to stalls,etc. but is weight a factor to prevent stalling on turnouts?
Tom:
I was confused too and was blissfully unaware that the OP poster is also Joe. I guess it’s Friday and we are all anxious to start running trains.
Joe
I have a pair of Atlas Gold MP15DC’s and love them
Thanks, Looks great. Are you running DCC?
Yes. Those are Atlas Golds which are DCC and sound. The sound is QSI which is great stuff. Atlas loco’s have very smooth and quiet drives as well.
I have an Atlas MP15DC and an Athearn MP15AC. Both are excellent runners at very slow speeds.
John Timm
Unless you are modelling this as a Class1 switched facility (which seems unlikely) I’d argue against the MP unit. Those are far less likely to be in a small mill’s hands.
Any small EMD switcher or even a GP9 would make sense.
The NW2 would make sense if its a very old operation. You might also consider a small GE like a 70tonner. The Athearn Blue box could very well be made to work. If you add the decoder, you can set it up to perform better and if you want, you could swap out for a different set of gears for lower top end speed or, if you get really crazy, go with a can motor. Obviously that’s more work. i’m just saying. All is possible.
I highly recommend the Atlas Gold MP15DC. I have one on my layout that is assigned to a yard and industrial area. It is a smooth running locomotive with great sound. This locomotive does the most switching of all my locomotives during an operating session and the operators love it. Most of my locomotives are Atlas and I have had very few issues with them. Good luck on your decision.
Tom
When I was in highschool I worked summers at USS Fairless Works. We had Baldwin switchers. They were used because they had plenty of weight in comparison to the EMD’s, also present on the property. This was in the late 60’s.
Stewart’s Baldwins are great runners, now even available with factory sound. Don’t overlook these as they run slow and are good pullers. I have some with LokSound sound decoders.
Most of the mills also used ALCO switchers for the same reason.
Hope this helps and good luck! Chris
Some of the larger mills in eastern Ohio ran old Baldwins. The hoggers loved them for the kicking power they had. Barking loud and belching smoke as they pushed and pulled strings of cars.
The best running switchers I have are the Stewarts. Followed by the P2K Alcos.
Pete