Arnold/Hornby EMD SW-1

[u18b]

Either they are totally going to mess it up..... (wrong road number on wrong phase)
or they are lazy with photos.... (photos do not accurately reflect what they are doing)
or they are going to get it right and make two different U28Cs.

At least according to the photos.

Most U28Cs on their list are early ones in U25C carbodies.  Makes sense.  They are "re-running" the U25C.  No brainer.
http://www.aat-net.de/bmz_cache/c/c3daf82f6f026e9b76c8d19e016b01ba.image.230x68.jpg

But the Penn Central photo is of another U28C phase (the one I need- one made it to CSX).
http://www.aat-net.de/bmz_cache/8/8fa3c66389bd57e02d0781cb6898a40c.image.230x93.jpg

This would also be a good model for making a early U30C.  The adirondac truck sideframes might need to be changed, but that might be about all.

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/U30C/7278CSX-b.jpg

[Missaberoad]

But the Penn Central photo is of another U28C phase (the one I need- one made it to CSX).
http://www.aat-net.de/bmz_cache/8/8fa3c66389bd57e02d0781cb6898a40c.image.230x93.jpg

The photo doesn't show the number series they are producing. 6510, 13, 14 are in fact U25C models
It would be nice to see the late phase U28c but it doesn't look like its in this release... 

http://www.pcrrhs.org/proto/motive-power/locomotive-roster-1170

[u18b]

That's what I meant by being lazy.  Wrong photo.

[C855B]

...The SW-1 is certainly needed and was used by everyone (literally - I think nearly anything that could be called a "railroad" had one at one time or another). ...

Not the UP. They waited the six months for more HP (no surprise, huh?) - their first switchers were NW2s.

[Missaberoad]

That's what I meant by being lazy.  Wrong photo.

I agree... and the fact they're calling it a U28C... 
could be the dealers mistake, and semantics either way...

[garethashenden]

So I wonder - will the mechanism be like the old Arnold S-2?

While there are certainly weaknesses (the springs on the motor vs. a real worm gear; the plastic gears that cracked and caused "limping," etc.), the S-2 was heavy for a switcher, owing in part to the metal shell, but also to the fact that it was basically just a slab of frame material.  The pickup did use wipers on one side, while the other side had power going through the entire frame.   But it ran great (and in fact, still runs great, two of them on my layout, with Lenz silver mini decoders in the fuel tank area and NWSL wheelsets for Code 55 track).  Given the "old school" design of the U25, I'm wondering if they will dust off the S-2 mechanism, make decoder installation a bit easier, and that's that . . .

The SW-1 is certainly needed and was used by everyone (literally - I think nearly anything that could be called a "railroad" had one at one time or another).   But if they were going to do a switcher . . . the FM H10/H12-44's . . . sigh . . .

John C.

I think that's highly unlikely. It may say Arnold on the box but it's not the same company.

[spookshow]

I agree... and the fact they're calling it a U28C... 
could be the dealers mistake, and semantics either way...

There has been no official information release from Arnold/Hornby yet. This particular dealer is apparently notorious for going with rumors (or flat out making stuff up) just to get his pre-order listings up first.

Cheers,
-Mark

[gelboy45]

Would there be any possibility of an ATSF U28CG? Maybe a foobie even....

Gerry

[spookshow]

So I wonder - will the mechanism be like the old Arnold S-2?

In a word, "no". Charlie Vlk states "Brand new from the flanges up.  State of the art. 3D CAD design. Intelligent product design for today’s market.   All important variations tooled. Heavy die-cast chassis."

Cheers,
-Mark

[jdcolombo]

In a word, "no". Charlie Vlk states "Brand new from the flanges up.  State of the art. 3D CAD design. Intelligent product design for today’s market.   All important variations tooled. Heavy die-cast chassis."

Cheers,
-Mark

OK.  Good news (even though I like the old Arnold S-2).   

John C.

[Cajonpassfan]

Not the UP. They waited the six months for more HP (no surprise, huh?) - their first switchers were NW2s.

Not Santa Fe either, but they did have four Winton-powered predecessors of the SW1, the SC. I wonder what it would take to backdate this puppy to an SC (or an SW, the only difference being welded rather than cast frame). Two offset stacks instead of one, small high grilles, what else? I believe the overall dimensions are identical? Thoughts, anyone?
Otto K.

[Denver Road Doug]

Thoughts, anyone?

Heck, I just want to see an SW-1 first.  Probably gonna be two years before the first one hits, in this marketplace.   That is, if it ever hits.   But if what is being tossed around here is true, it sounds like Arnold wouldn't leave anything on the table if it was feasible...especially if it involves the mighty AT&SF.   

[Mark5]

All claims of "state of the art" aside and given the small size of the SW1, I seriously hope hornby will consider a proven electrical pickup design (I am scared that they might repeat the primitive pickup used on the U25C)

[sirenwerks]

I don't think the "small size" of the SW1 is an issue, we've already seen on this forum at least one kitbashed SW1. 



So if an individual can pull it off, and that was a fine looking model, a company can mass produce a model.  I would throw my faith behind what Charlie V. says.

[Mark5]

You kinda missed the point - My post was about pickup, not how the loco looks. Arnold has already shown us they can make a great looking model in the U25c.