Where's the SW-1?

[Joetrain59]

Kis, I might have done that while cleaning wheels.
Joe D

[nkalanaga]

Maybe, but several on my U25Cs turned themselves, seemingly without any help.  One fell out regularly until I crimped the upper end to keep it in.  The couplers work fine without them, so if they keep acting up I might remove them.

[peteski]

Mine should be delivered in couple of days, but from I see so far, the mechanism design looks similar to to the U25Cs: Standard European-style design I call old-school, the pros/cons of which were discussed to death on the U25C thread. Too bad that they didn't use a more modern design.

The couplers are also some sort of MT clone, smaller in size.  The uncoupling pins seem to have circular cross-section (unlike MT couplers) so that is why they can be easily twisted around.

I also have mixed feelings about those 2 traction tires. Do we really need to give up the electric pickup on 2 wheels on a switcher which will not really need to pull long trains?  I guess that Arnold thought we did.

[Joetrain59]

Just checked wheel gauge on both locos. Narrow to NMRA gauge. No derailing though.
Peteski, I'm breaking them in now, but no problem with stalling through switches. (Cleaned some points). Slow speed is excellent.
 Joe D

[Joetrain59]

One last pic for now;



As usual, a small loco like this could use more weight. Doesn't look like much room. Fuel tanks are hollow, so one could add a bit there.
 Joe D

[peteski]

Thanks Joe!

[Chris333]

The listing says DCC ready. So what is that motherboard for?

[reinhardtjh]

The listing says DCC ready. So what is that motherboard for?

To have a place in which to plug the DCC decoder.  For the LED lights.  For the directional lighting stuff.  Since it's European, maybe RF noise suppression.

[basementcalling]

These look good. Glad initial reports say they run well too. I am always hesitant about traction tire equipped locos.

The add on details are prototype placed and look good. The open cab is also a nice touch.  Hoping the second run will offer a road name I want, though I am tempted to buy and strip a PC or Amtrak version and repaint for a plant engine for my paper mill.

[mmagliaro]

Even though I saw these run at the Portland show, and they ran superbly, I didn't realize they had traction tires on them and I am not a fan of this idea.  I have done so far on old RS-11's to get rid of the traction tire wheels, hunt down plain wheels, and replace them.  6 wheels is not enough surfaces for reliable pickup.    If they do another run in a roadname I can use, I think I will buy one of these and see about putting some other diesel wheels onto those axles, if possible.  After all, it's just an SW-1.  It doesn't have to pull 30 cars.  I'd rather give up the traction in exchange for more pickup surfaces.

[Joetrain59]

My PC loco has some gear noise in reverse, like some of the LL FA's make. Had it running in reverse for an hour, no change. The Beardon trick?? I'll take pix if I open it up more.
 Joe D

[mmagliaro]

Take photos of the axles and how the wheels fit on to them... if you are so inclined.
And measure the wheel diamemeter if you can.   
(I know this isn't on your radar screen for what you are trying to fix, so feel free to ignore me).

I am just curious about how the parts fit together.  There is no exploded parts diagram on Arnold/Hornby's site
for the SW-1 yet.

[peteski]

Be patient - info is on its way 

[Doug G.]

That PC unit looks great.

Hehe, they look like Atlas' old RoCo diesels from the bottom with the red gears.

Doug

[Mark5]

Lovin the look of the couplers. Hope they work well.