Micro Trains BN SW1500s

[learmoia]

I think MTL did the smart thing here. It's easier to patch them up than have to add windows in.

I was aiming at MTL painting the patched windows to deal with color matching issues.. I didn't mean to suggest MTL tool new cabs with various window arrangements.  (Although that would be cool..)  Conrail long hood first though..

~Ian

[ednadolski]

Very tempting, even tho they are not be found on Tehachapi.  Would look really good with some scale wire handrails 

Ed

[peteski]

Based on the one I have in hand, you could do a straight shell swap.  According to @spookshow (http://www.spookshow.net/loco/llsw.html) its the same mech.

My question is why woudl someone want to take the rather pricey MT loco and put a Life Like shall on it when Life Like locos shoudl be available cheaper (with the identical mechanism).

It would almost make more sense to go the other way: buy the  LL SW1200 model and the MT SW1500 shell to make a less expensive SW1500.

[wcfn100]

It would almost make more sense to go the other way: buy the  LL SW1200 model and the MT SW1500 shell to make a less expensive SW1500.

You would have to buy one of the Walthers' releases to get something equivalent.

Jason

[peteski]

You would have to buy one of the Walthers' releases to get something equivalent.

Jason

Plastic vs. metal worms?

[u18b]

That's what came to my mind.

You don't want plastic worms.

[wcfn100]

Plastic vs. metal worms?

And a better profile on the wheels.

Jason

[jnevis]

I'll take a couple in red


although these were SP units with the associated lights.

[Kisatchie]

You don't want plastic worms.

Hmm... I like gummi
worms...

[Denver Road Doug]

My question is why woudl someone want to take the rather pricey MT loco and put a Life Like shall on it when Life Like locos shoudl be available cheaper (with the identical mechanism).

It would almost make more sense to go the other way: buy the  LL SW1200 model and the MT SW1500 shell to make a less expensive SW1500.

(a) The new Life-Like models are just as pricey
(b) My old LL mech has poor wheels, plastic worm, etc.
(c) I have a custom SW1200 shell that I've heavily modified to remove the cast on handrails and grabs, etc.

So, I can buy the MTL, have a DCC ready, "upgraded" mech/wheels, then I will have a mech that can house either my Cargill nee-D&RGW SW1200 or my BN (to be patched to BNSF 3433) SW1500.   And poof about 10 projects disappear. (contact reroute, decoder install, wheelset replacement, worm replacement, et al)

Even with all that...it may not happen.   Not flush with cash right now....I've a little saved up for OKC Train Show so if I strike out at that show I might just buy one of the BN SW1500's.   But if I come across a ton of higher priority stuff there it will be "wait for one to go cheap on eBay or fire sale".  Of course, MTL might eventually do a patched BN unit as well.   So waiting will probably not be the end of the world.

[reinhardtjh]

(a) The new Life-Like models are just as pricey

As a heads up, TrainWorld is advertising Walthers/Life-Like SW9/SW1200's for $49.95 in selected road names at the moment.  If that price helps any.  You still lose the "DCC-Ready" aspect of the MT modified chassis though.

TrainWorld's shipping prices aren't the best, however so it's better to put a bigger order in and reduce the per item cost.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Just a quick heads up. I got my shells in and they are REALLY nice. The detail is a cut above anyone else. The hood is visibly more narrow than the CC MP15, and almost as narrow as the MP15.

The only problem I have had with it is that the forward cavities for the chassis nubs seem to be mis-aligned. This may be due to using a much older chassis though. A few rips of a file on the chassis will fix that.

Very happy with these new engines!

[wazzou]

Pics or...well you know the rest!

[tehachapifan]

Got my BN unit (322) from Chuck today and I am quite pleased. Sharp looking little loco and it fits in with my bashed units pretty well. I'm down for at least one SP unit when they come out.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Ok pics....

The shell is very thin. Probably the thinnest in N scale right now. The detail is really good. Like the tread on the walkways is near scale. It looks like 1500 grit sandpaper!


The rear truck has NWSL wheels. The forward truck has the old LL "fatty" wheels.


The detail is shockingly good. Thin grills, very fine detailing. Here is a good shot of the RB AAR-A trucks. I really like this engine.


The rear deck is nice. Look at those steps leading up to the cab. Unlike the Atlas MP15, the headlight unit is cast into the cab. Also note this unit hass class lights. Good news for us Conrail queens, though others may have to remove them.

To get the new shell to fit legacy frames, you will need to make a few cuts:



The tabs on the rear of the frame must be cut off and the rear of the frame boxed out and shortened by about 1/2mm. I did this at work with a nail file and some EMT scissors.

Note I have not added any of the details including stacks, MU housing, windows, bell, tank and horn.