NW2 from Kato

[Mark5]

thankfully another one I don't need.

will Kato continue the "improvements" from the last run of the SD40-2?

Oddl enough, I can use one.  N&W sold one of the former Wabash, nee NKP, nee W&LE NW2s to the Celanese plant in Celco...

N&W had a few NW2s from NKP and WAB, but only the former W&LEs are close to the phase Kato's doing...

Yah, N&W had some but NEVER used them on the section of the N&W I model at least up to 1975 or so.

The Celanese plant .... I have vivid memories of that place ...


When did Celanese get that NW2? Some time after they stopped using that fireless steamer?

[NYC1956]

Of all the many EMD switchers rostered by the NYC, the NW-2 was the most numerous.
They bought 135 new, then in 1957 added 17 more second-hand from the NYO&W.
That makes a grand total of 152 - all built in 1948-1949 (Phase IV or V).

Note that Kato mentions Phase I with regard to the riveted fuel tank. This is indeed an early phase NW-2 - with NO LOUVERS in the hood sides. Phases I-II had no louvers. Phase IV (the most numerous) and V had 6 columns of louvers with a letterboard area dividing the columns of louvered vents. Phase III had 6 columns of louvered vents with no letterboard gap.
These louvered vents (or lack of them) are among the prime spotting features for your railroad.
NW-2 production in 1949 reverted to production of the SW-7 which had the same louvered vent configuration as the Phase IV-V NW-2.

More spotting features: Note the arched cab windows on the NW-2. The SW-7 and later models had rectangular windows. Also beginning with the SW-7 the large single headlight was replaced with a dual sealed-beam set. As Robbman mentioned, the front went to a full-height radiator grill on the SW-7 and subsequent models.

Edited to correct Phase III spotting features.

[FrankCampagna]

For us foreigners, can someone list the main spotting differences between the NW2 and SW7 please?

There is a low flat area in front of the cab before the hood rises similarly to other switchers. This is distinctive to the early NW-2s. It was omitted from the final phase and in subsequent EMD switchers, making it distinctive. Frank

[wcfn100]

Phases I-III had no louvers

I believe phase III had hood louvers w/o the letterboard gap.


Jason

[biker_ray_pa]

Well, I talked to the Kato folks at the WGH today in Pittsburgh. They didn't have much there...some HO stuff, and an Amtrak Superliner train on an oval of Unitrack.  >

So I asked the guy what's up with the NW2. He wondered how I'd heard about it, and seemed surprised that the word was out.

Anyway, he reaches under the table and pulls out an NW2 - undecorated, on a dummy chassis. So, I don't know how they'll run, but I know the shell looked very nice, with crisp detail and a nice wire railing. There will be room for a drop-in decoder, which he said is forthcoming from someone  ??? (I'm guessing Digitrax).

Also, I was told that a small piece of fiber-optic cable is being used to provide working front and rear directional headlights.

Finally, when I asked about performance, he was honest and told me that he hadn't seen one run yet, but he was told they'll be all slow creep and no high speed.

It looked nice. We'll see.


Ray

[NYC1956]

Phases I-III had no louvers

I believe phase III had hood louvers w/o the letterboard gap.
Jason

Jason, thanks for pointing out my error. You are correct. I edited my earlier post to correct the spotting features.

[TiVoPrince]

Anyway, he reaches under the table and pulls out an NW2 - undecorated, on a dummy chassis. So, I don't know how they'll run, but I know the shell looked very nice, with crisp detail and a nice wire railing. There will be room for a drop-in decoder, which he said is forthcoming from someone  ??? (I'm guessing Digitrax).
Ray

Think
I need a little alone time.  I may not need a NW2 but it gives me hope for the badly needed SW1500.  A little Baldwin S-12 shell action would be welcome too...

[Mark5]

Just when everyone thinks they got Kato figured out, they throw us a curve.
                                                  Railhead

Kato has been and remains one of the great mysteries in life.

[John Burkush]

B&M rostered about a dozen purchased in the 1940's;
They were black with red & white nose stripes, the same paint sceme as the 44 tonners. I am good for at least a couple of them, if Kato doesn't come out
with a B&M version (wishfull thinking) I will run them through the paint shop.

[central.vermont]

The only problem I see with using this first release is
that the B&M units had full handrails running down the
long hood. The Kato model only has them on the corners.
Now I do have ONE shot of a B&M that did not have the
full railings and it is of the 1200 painted in the black with
red white stripes.

Jon

[Chris333]

I used LL GP20 long hood handrails for a Erie SW I made, Erie had full length hardrails on everything.

[John Burkush]

The only problem I see with using this first release is
that the B&M units had full handrails running down the
long hood. The Kato model only has them on the corners.
Now I do have ONE shot of a B&M that did not have the
full railings and it is of the 1200 painted in the black with
red white stripes.

Jon

Thanks Jon,
Gold Medal Models makes brass stanchions which I instaled on 2 SW8's (160-32)
so the option is there if modification is needed.
The black paint should be easy, what's the best source for decals?
I will hit the books and the internet for more research.
John B.