Charlie, Thanks for the effort you put into these. Like many I waited a long time for an SW-1. So far I've picked up BN and PC units and I agree, they are very nice models, in fact they're probably some of my favorite N scale locos I own. Today I completely stripped the mechanism down on my PC unit. Cleaned out gobs of grease. (P.S. if you talk to Hornby you might want to let them know to tell the factory to lighten up a bit). I also re-gauged the wheelsets, they were a little tight . This was a simple matter of twisting them apart a bit. Degreased, lubed and reassembled everything and cleaned up the wiring a bit before re-soldering it back to the board. I hope Hornby eventually has parts available for these, I would like to replace the axles with traction tires with non traction tire axles. I don't need it to pull 30 cars, I'd rather have another wheel for electrical contact. But I haven't noticed a real problem yet, and it runs extremely slow and smooth. And if you got any influence on Hornby, the only other detail I can think of right now to add would be to offer the older riveted style air tanks in addition to the welded ones on the model. But kudos to them for offering so many model specific details like hoods, cabs, trucks and headlights. I hope they sell a ton of these, I'd like to see more roadnames like Milwaukee or Rock Island, (hint,hint). Or just give us some undecs. Bob
I'm hoping for CB&Q and Milwaukee. Has anyone torn one down for painting and found out if the windows come out?
I've started kit bashing one of these into an Amtrak Phase III unit. I replaced the front center windows with styrene to simulate them being plated over like the prototype. The windows were glued into place (it was mentioned on here earlier). Most of them broke when I removed them, so I've started cutting new ones from clear plastic. I'm also in contact with the factory about getting replacements.
What was the issue with the N Scale style pickups on the HO RS2? I bought a pair of them when first released and was impressed with how smoothly and silently they ran.
The RS/RSC-2 weren't as bad as the SD40-2 but a high percentage of the units would get shaken out of contact alignment during shipping so many would not run when taken out of the box. The solid four wire path was replaced with eight contact points that could get out of conductivity and were subject to later corrosion. The earlier HO NW2 was a true split frame N Scale design and didn't have the problems that the complicated plastic subframe DCC ready kludge of the RS and SD. All this took place just as LifeLike Proto 2000 and Athearn Genesis got their acts together and I don't know if the Kato HO market ever came back....at one time they were considered top of the line but I think the market caught up and passed them even today Charlie Vlk
If the windows are cemented in place, couldn't you just touch a brush with solvent cement in it to the seam between the window and body and let it soften the existing cement and remove the window? I have done similar things before. Doug
I always put a drop of Caig DeoxIT on those contact points, which helps prevent the development of conductivity/corrosion problems over time. Another factor that may limit Kato's market is the glacial rate at which they release new products. Likewise is the relatively limited number of roadnames produced at any given time. For example, although Kato first introduced their HO GP-35 model back in 1992, it's taken them until 2015 to make it available in NYC.
Yeah, that's always the tricky part. (In response to Boxcab's post about cement migrating to the exposed glass area. Somebody always jumps in ahead of me when I answer without quoting. You would think I would learn to NEVER NOT quote). Doug
I used my SW-1 for some switching and a local today, here's some shots to possibly help out people on the fence. I run DC and this thing crawls like no one's business: BMSW1_2_web by bumthum posted Oct 19, 2015 at 4:20 PM BMSW1_1_web by bumthum posted Oct 19, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Got a chance today to install a TCS decoder into B&MR 1117 which will become CB&Q 9141 and test it out on the MiNiModUTrak layout at the Naperville Prototype Modeler Meet. She easily handled 29 cars on level track and had very fine low speed and a prototypical top speed. I am a happy camper and am looking forward to getting the units home and start painting them in Burlington Black and Grey!!! Charlie Vlk
How could Hornby do that to you Charlie!!! After all the consulting work you did for them... they didn't have the decency to decorate a first run unit in your CB&Q colors. LOL ☆ . Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
Curious how many more people have carried on with stripping/repainting and how that experience was for them. Strongly considering one of these (or two) to convert/paint.
Wolf: In process of doing the same thing, but yours is VERY nice! This isn't the first time I've had to tell you I hate you, is it?
