Before Arnold SW1 were any other N SW1 models available?

[peteski]

I checked Spookshow's site and I didn't see any N scale brass SW1s.  So, other than the kitbash described by John Palecki in Jul/August 1993 N-Scale Magazine article, I came up blank.  Were there any N scale brass SW1 models ever produced?

[sd45elect2000]

I've never seen one , I do have a Randgust SW1 that's pretty cool.

Randy

[daniel_leavitt2000]

No brass SW1. The only one I ever recall seeing was the kit-bash you mentioned (BN right?). In fact, other than the S1-4 series and an odd Baldwin, I don't recall any switcher in brass.

[mecgp7]

No model, but there was a resin type shell out there. I had one designed for the Arnold sw unit.

[peteski]

No brass SW1. The only one I ever recall seeing was the kit-bash you mentioned (BN right?). In fact, other than the S1-4 series and an odd Baldwin, I don't recall any switcher in brass.

The article I found was for a Boston & Maine SW1.  But I vaguely recall the BN one too. Maybe Randgust's model was decorated for BN?  BTW, I couldn't find any SW1 info on Randy's website.  I'm not disputing the fact that he made one - I was just hoping to find some more info on his version.

[sd45elect2000]

I finished building the Intermountain kits this morning and cleared off a spot on the work bench, here are some projects that are "ongoing" Randgust's SW-1 is in the pics.

Randy

[u18b]

I checked Spookshow's site and I didn't see any N scale brass SW1s.  So, other than the kitbash described by John Palecki in Jul/August 1993 N-Scale Magazine article, I came up blank.  Were there any N scale brass SW1 models ever produced?

The first brass loco was in about 1983.
Excitement for brass was really high through the mid 80s.
Started to wind down (with high prices) in late 80s.

During this euphoria, around 86-89 or so, brass companies were advertising EVERYTHING.
I think it was just vaporware and they were trying to gauge interest to help them decide what to actually do next.

I say all this to say that many EMD switchers had been announced when I attended the Houston national convention in 89.
(The one I had high hopes for was a brass SW1500.)

But NONE of those EMD switchers ever came to be.
You'll notice on Spookshow's site there is not a single EMD switcher there---- but many were anounced.

Long answer to your question.   

[peteski]

Thanks Ron (and everybody else who replied)!

[randgust]

I did a rather derivative SW1 shell out there that I experimented on three different mechanisms under it - the Life-Like SW, the Con-Cor/Kato SW1500, and the Kato NW2.

You had to be a real masochist to try the L-L SW.  Terrible.   Did one, it ran, sold it, swore never to try that stunt again.

It would also fit with minimal changes on the C-C/Kato, but the end result didn't run all that well and sat too high, even with all the flavors of that mechanism.

The Kato NW2 was a winner.   The Kato frame could be cut back to fit, and reassembled with all the goodies including the DCC board intact.  Ran just as well as the original NW2.   I put out quite a few shells, but never a kit.    I also did probably 20 custom builds, including one for an individual that I did as BN 97, it worked out VERY well, nice model, did custom wire handrails as on most of my builds.   The shots of that BN one were on my web page for years, which is probably where the "BN" thing came from.  http://www.randgust.com/SW19703.jpg    So if you liked the NW2, this was basically at Kato NW2 under there, including the frame, sill and steps.

With the board and the cast frame you really couldn't do a stepped-hood Phase 1, only the later one that is shown above. 

I still have one shell and one surplus Kato mechanism left.   I haven't run the Hornby, but have no reason to think mine runs any better.   But if you want a custom later-phase, I'd do one more.   I took it off my web page but I still have the molds.  It had a good run.   

I even pointed this out to my friend that works for Kato - you could make an SW1 with only frame modifications and a new body shell casting.   It's a Japan thing, I was told.    I never put any more work into a kit version because I figured somebody would come along with an RTR version, and they did.   But I would have bet money it would have been Kato rather than Hornby.

[peteski]

I did a rather derivative SW1 shell out there that I experimented on three different mechanisms under it - the Life-Like SW, the Con-Cor/Kato SW1500, and the Kato NW2.
...
   The shots of that BN one were on my web page for years, which is probably where the "BN" thing came from.  http://www.randgust.com/SW19703.jpg    So if you liked the NW2, this was basically at Kato NW2 under there, including the frame, sill and steps.
...
  I took it off my web page but I still have the molds.  It had a good run.

Thanks for the info and for the link to the photo.

I even pointed this out to my friend that works for Kato - you could make an SW1 with only frame modifications and a new body shell casting.   It's a Japan thing, I was told.    I never put any more work into a kit version because I figured somebody would come along with an RTR version, and they did.   But I would have bet money it would have been Kato rather than Hornby.

I've been told the same thing.  While Kato USA recommends that some specific prototype should be modeled, the Kato mothership in Japan makes the final decision, and they often make unexplainable (to the U.S. modelers or even to the Kato USA staff) decisions.

[mcjaco]

Vince Kotnik of Modutrak did a CNW one that's been running around the layout for a good five to seven years already.  It was kitbashed from a Kato mech. 

I know I've posted a pic of it here awhile back.

EDIT:

Here it is: