Looking for a good yard switcher

yellow_cad Dec 3, 2018

  1. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    I have a DC yard layout and I would like to find a good yard switcher that runs great very slow. Also would prefer it in SF, SP, GN, NP, BN since I live in the West. I have larger switchers that run nice and slow, but my few true yard switchers aren't smooth at slow speeds. Could anyone recommend a good make and model for this application? Thanks, Jim
     
    NScaleKen likes this.
  2. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    The Atlas MP15DC is a great little puller. The Kato NW2 is also a solid platform. The MicroTrains SW1500 may have the roadnames you like. It’s not the beefiest puller, but with a little tuning it works okay.
     
    NScaleKen likes this.
  3. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    The newer Atlas S2. I bought mine in DC and installed my own DCC. It ran nice and slow on DC. Its small enough to not overpower a yard scene but a great puller even for long strings of cars. You can Google it or find them on the Bay...JMO
     
    NScaleKen likes this.
  4. NScaleKen

    NScaleKen Permanently dispatched

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    Me too!!! Bachmann 70 tonner is a mess of stuttering at low speed (edit: but I really like it and apparently it may just need some maintenance) , MT SW1500 I guess I need to tune it, would love some tips. Will probably get the Atlas MP15DC but are there any other good options?
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2018
  5. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    My motive power area all switchers. The 44 and 70 tonners are excellent slow speed runners and far slower on the top end than any of my SW 1 or 9. The Bachmann units do best with clean wheels and track and are finicky about that. I also have three Japanese DD 51 with have the Bandai mechanism under them and they are workhorses easily out pulling the others but they do have a top end that matches the Bullet trains.
     
    NScaleKen likes this.
  6. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    The big thing with the SW1500 is gauging the wheels. They are delivered way too narrow. You can also wire the contacts in to bypass the idiotic frame mounted contact strips.
     
  7. NScaleKen

    NScaleKen Permanently dispatched

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    I will do some maintenance on them then, the bachman I really like, for the price it's great I should have considered it was getting dirty and the contacts might need to be checked. It will pull quite a few cars for a 4 axle small locomotive.
     
  8. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    The Atlas GP15 May also be a liable option. They run very well.

    One of my favorite switchers was the Arnold SW1. Great bang for the buck.
     
  9. brokemoto

    brokemoto TrainBoard Member

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    My favourites are the Atlas Baldwin VO-1000 and the B-mann USRA 0-6-0. On the steamer, though, you MUST swap out the stock tender for a B-mann SPECTRUM all wheels live tender. The swap is easy. It requires a minimum of work.

    You must also buy the plastic box version of the B-mann.
     
    Rocket Jones likes this.
  10. JBrown

    JBrown TrainBoard Member

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    Rapido GMD-1
     
  11. Rocket Jones

    Rocket Jones TrainBoard Member

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    Second brokemoto on the Atlas Baldwin VO-1000. It is a superb runner at slow speeds, and they offer an SP paint job. My first was in B&O colors, but I snatched up another when they came out with Western Maryland.
     
  12. papahnash

    papahnash TrainBoard Member

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    I use 2 of the same make( double headed) to get through the pesky switches.
     
  13. jpf94

    jpf94 TrainBoard Member

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    I absolutely enjoy my MP-15's. all 5 of them pull well, run slow, and were easy DCC conversions. I have run the Atlas S-2 with sound, also an amazing unit. The Bachmann 44 tonner I also recommend.
     

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