BLI NW2/SW7

[peteski]

Here's a picture for Peteski 



-Mark

Wow!  Mark finally switched to using high-res photos in his reviews!  Look at all the details I can now see!  How cool is that?! 

[thomasjmdavis]

Is the body of the nw2 the same as the body of the sw7.   Are they prototypically correct?  Any one know what phase the models represent?

I don't know if this is absolutely gospel, but my Second Diesel Spotter's Guide (I wore out the "first" Diesel Spotter's Guide in the days when you could easily spot most of the diesels in it) has the last NW-2s and first SW-7s sharing the same "postwar" body, including curved windows above the hood.  The distinguishing feature is that the SW-7 the radiator is full height from the boards to the headlight, while the NW-2 has about 2/3 the size (so there is about 3 feet of sheet metal between the bottom of the radiator and the deck). They began installing 1200hp engines (ie SW-7) in December 1949, and adopted squared windows in April 1950.  I hesitate to use "phases" here as it seems to depend on who you read.  But they did get right the radiator change, and are producing SW-7s with both cabs. 

And as with all this sort of thing, there were NW-2s rebuilt with later cabs, or re-engined to 1200hp, or louvered doors swapped in and out- so by 1960, a given railroad might have NW-2s that were indistinguishable from an SW-1200.

[Missaberoad]

Is the body of the nw2 the same as the body of the sw7.   Are they prototypically correct?  Any one know what phase the models represent?

Two different bodies and two different cabs...

[mplsjct]

Two different bodies and two different cabs...

The pick ups look similar to the LifeLike SW9, at least in these photos

[spookshow]

I put mine on speed step 1 and turned it loose. Three hours later and nary a hiccup, so I'm impressed so far.

-Mark

[spookshow]

The pick ups look similar to the LifeLike SW9, at least in these photos

Not really - the chassis does not conduct current. The wipers on the trucks push up against four small contact strips attached to the underside of the sidesill (which is actually part of the chassis). Wires soldered to the contact strips transfer current to the decoder board.

I'd post a picture, but I'm still trying to figure out how to get the trucks off.

-Mark

[Jim Starbuck]

I put mine on speed step 1 and turned it loose. Three hours later and nary a hiccup, so I'm impressed so far.

-Mark

That’s excellent Mark!
I’ve got one on the way. Really looking forward to seeing it.

Jim

[drbnc]

Exploded view PDF here: http://www.broadway-limited2.com/support/N%20NW2%20SW7%20Expl%20View%20(9.24.2018).pdf

[Mark5]

No traction tires.

-Mark

Fantastic! Thanks for all the info.

Mark

[Joetrain59]

I just ordered an undec, on reserve yet, from Hogtrainz. Now I need to find the DC master box, so I can hear it on DC right now. DCC when layout gets started.
 Joe D

[spookshow]

Turns out that the trucks simply pull off - it just takes a bit more "oomph" than I was willing to apply at first (getting them back on is kind of difficult as well). The gears are slathered in lube, so if you're having stalling issues the first thing to do is to make sure those chassis contact strips are clean.



-Mark

[garethashenden]

How is the truck pickup organised? It looks as if it could have pointed axles and cup pickups like everyone else, but given that it’s BLI I don’t want to assume.

[spookshow]

It's the usual BLI thing - the axle ends insert into holes in the wipers instead of dimples.

-Mark

[tehachapifan]

It's the usual BLI thing - the axle ends insert into holes in the wipers instead of dimples.

-Mark

Has Kato started to use this method too in some locos as well? I believe I saw some parts on their parts page that made this appear to be the case.

[peteski]

Has Kato started to use this method too in some locos as well? I believe I saw some parts on their parts page that made this appear to be the case.

In N scale? I have not seen that change.  Do you have any specific parts you can point to?