I’ve been looking for an HO switcher (either SW1500 or SW7/NW2) with DCC & sound for a long time but nobody has any. Both BLI and PCM make them but they are not avaialble yet. Walthers website says the PCMs will be available April 1 but I was talking to the BLI rep at a train show last week and he didn’t seem too sure about that. Does anyone know where I can find one or if the 4/1 date for PCM is any good? I’m looking for either an MKT or KCS.
I model the KCS and received a sound/DCC Atlas MP15 for Christmas from the wife. I would also like to find some KCS SW7/1500 with sound as I need some additional KCS and some KCT units for the layout.
I was wondering if you took an Athearn MP15, would an Athearn SW1500 shell fit the unit? Just a thought.
My SW1500’s are packed away, but I’m pretty sure they are quite a bit shorter than the MP15’s - which is not packed away. My [2c]
The Athearn MP15 with DCC & Sound are due out in July according to Athearn’s website. I didn’t see any KCS. BLI is supposed to have a KCS NW2 on the maybe or maybe not reliable April 1 date
I got my Athern MP15 about 2 months ago . . .UP w sound . . .I LIKE IT!!![:D]
Well I’ve had a BLI sound-equipped NW-2 for a couple of years now, so unless you mean they don’t have the roadname you’re looking for in stock, I’m not sure what you mean. Proto SW7’s are also available with sound I believe. Athearn makes an SW-1500, I don’t know if they offer a sound version but it wouldn’t be that hard to add a sound decoder I would think.
I’m sure the LHS, or ebay, or a local flea market will have something for you.
Don’t hold your breath for anything PCM. By the time they get the gumption to make them, we will all be dead.
Phil
Most interesting thought and the PCM SW1500 might be dead in the water…
Athearn has announced the SW1000 as a RTR unit.
Could the SW1500 be next?
And yes the SW1500 and MP15 is the same length at 44’ 8" according to my notes.
Info I found says the MP15DC is 48’ 8" and the AC version is 1.5 ft longer than that.
You can’t even find SW1500 Cary bodies anymore.
HOLY COW…ATHEARN HAS RELEASED SWITCHERS!!!
Phil
I believe that the SW1500 will be the next switcher announced from Athearn as soon as the SW1000’s are released.I believe that’s why Athearn announced the SW1000’s.Isn’t the SW1000 and the SW1500 share the same shell? Just different stacks.The SW1000 has one stack and the SW1500 has two.I think when Athearn announces the SW1500 that will kill the PCM model Athearn has the diesel market won with the SW1000’s SD40-2’s,SD40T-2’s MP15AC’s and hopefully soon the SW1500.So if you wait,I believe Athearn will announce these SW1500’s and they would really sell well. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
I left out some important info-I’m looking for either a KCS or MKT road name. BLI and Athearn have some but not the ones I’m looking for. Athearn says they will have a Genesis MKT in mid-July and BLI is supposed to have a KCS “TBD” and PCM an MKT “TBD” - still can’t find “TBD” on my calendar. The BLI rep at the train show last week told me they were concetrating their efforts on Blueline because of the economy.
FYI - just had a note from BLI and they say not before January 2009 for the SW1500.