How do these run, pull, ease of conversion to DCC, etc? Anything of which I should be aware? Thanks.
The Walthers SW-1 is a great choice. I have the SOO version. Check for a rubber hose coupler that was used for the rear drive shaft. Email Walthers for the free upgrade kit, which consists of a plastic universal to replace the rubber hose. I use DC so cannot comment about the decoder.
Jim
I agree with Soo Line Fan. I have a pair of these and they are great runners and very good pullers too. They are not a recent release, so there is no DCC plug or anything inside like that. To do your DCC install, you’ll be direct hard-wiring your engine. I, too, run DC so I can’t give specifics. On that drive shaft coupler, I’ve found that the early run units need the replacement kit, while on the later ones the switch was made at the factory by Walthers. The detailing is good, though not really up to contemporary standards. Easy to superdetail, though. I’d recommend these locomotives to you without reservation.
I believe they’re like the FM H-10-44’s, very good runners / pullers at slow speed. DCC conversion isn’t too bad, but it is a hardwire job - and you have to insulate the motor, basically just one piece of tape in the right place. The TCS website has an article on how to do the conversion for the older Walthers engines.
Yes, the SW 1 has the same drive as the FM H 10-44. Roco built the FM and SW switchers for Walthers. Roco has built some great locos over the years for many different companies.
These are not the same as the Trainline brand, which as everyone knows is Walthers entry-level brand.
Jim
Those little SW1s are sweet engines…I wish Walthers would release 'em again like they are the FM10-44.
[#ditto][#ditto]
I have one that’s currently in “the paint shop”, so to speak. It’s a great little engine, though. Mine was a later run that had the plastic universal instead of the rubber drive, though I understand those only presented problems if running on very tight curves.
Brad
I don’t think the SW-1’s and the H10-44’s drives are both Roco. I was just working on my SW-1 a minute ago, and I didn’t recall seeing Roco written on the drive, like the H10-44 has. I have 3 SW-1s, and they are each a bit different. One of them runs very good and is quite, while the 2 others are noisy but still run good. I think I have one of the lead wires caught in the shafts, so I’ll check that out.
Is the SW-1 drive indeed Roco???
Phil