BLI NW2/SW7

[tehachapifan]

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

Not at the moment. I was looking for certain N scale loco wheeslsets a little while ago and ran across some that had the non-pointy axle extensions. I may have mistaken HO ones for N scale, if that's a common way they do their HO wheels.

[peteski]

Not at the moment. I was looking for certain N scale loco wheeslsets a little while ago and ran across some that had the non-pointy axle extensions. I may have mistaken HO ones for N scale, if that's a common way they do their HO wheels.

I'm not very familiar with Kato H0 models, so I can't say for sure.

[cjm413]

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.

Frame gussets on the NW2 and SW7 are different from those on the SW9 and SW1200.

[Cajonpassfan]

My NW2 Zebra arrived this evening. Ran very good straight out of the box, except the top speed is way too high. Should be an easy DCC fix. I’ve yet to study the model in detail, but it looks very good. The blue Santa Fe herald is a bit off to my eyes, but that should be an easy fix too, I hope.

The model weighs in at a respectable 2.0 oz./57 grams, compared to the longer Atlas S2 2.1/61g and Bachmann S4 at 1.5/44g. (I weighed my Kato NW2 too, at 1.8/52 grams, before I remembered I stuffed a bunch of tungsten weight in it, so I don’t have the original factory weight). The BLI unit is a good puller, but I couldn’t get the 27 cars Mark did. Perhaps mine are weighted more heavily or the yard isn’t flat.  But I could pull/push about 18 cars, and that’s good enough for my switchers.

The range of sound features is excellent in my opinion, good background sounds, horn, and bell; the prime mover sound quality is still a bit tinny, but okay. Frankly, I find it amazing we can get sound this good out of something this tiny. I’m going to play with the decoder to see what it can do, both for sound and operation. My switchers are limited to 30mph, and the 28 step range generally works well with this. One annoying feature is the auto reversing headlight, which is ridiculous for a switch engine going back and forth. When stopped, both lights dim, but only one light stays on with the direction of movement and it’s a bit dim also. Why does everybody (except Bachmann) do this? I don’t know if that is reprogrammable, suspect not in P3?
Overall, preliminarily, I am pleased with this acquisition. Pics below, including a prototype. I’m sure I’ll find minor things that are wrong, but I it looks like BLI has another hit (the mikes being the last one).
Otto

[Cajonpassfan]

For what it’s worth, I set my top speed at 30mph (CV5 Max=40, CV6 Mid=25) and acceleration/deceleration (CV3 and 4=20), appropriate for a switcher imho. YMMV, but this works well for me.
Nice little switch engine.
Otto K.

[tehachapifan]

Couldn't stand it anymore, had to pull the trigger on one of these beauties while taking advantage of a Cyber Monday deal. Ordered SP 1423, the unit restored and operational at Niles Canyon. Have to wait 'till Xmas to see it though...a deal I made with the CFO.

[spookshow]

I couldn’t get the 27 cars Mark did. Perhaps mine are weighted more heavily or the yard isn’t flat.  But I could pull/push about 18 cars, and that’s good enough for my switchers.

The ones I used are mostly old Atlas and MTL 40' boxcars with no extra weight added, so they're pretty light.

-Mark

[spookshow]

What do you call that square box that's between the two fuel tanks on the undercarriage? Is that for fuel as well?



Thanks,
-Mark

[Jim Starbuck]

Mark,

I think the square part would be the fuel tank and the cylinders are air tanks.

Jim

[spookshow]

Aha, got it. My "learn something new every day" for today 

Thanks,
-Mark

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man, I'm now kinda questioning my decision to make a LL SW9 into a 7 for 8905. Hmm...

[Cajonpassfan]

What do you call that square box that's between the two fuel tanks on the undercarriage? Is that for fuel as well?



Thanks,
-Mark

That would be the speaker
Otto

[spookshow]

Well, that's all wrong then. The prototype has 6 slots for the speaker holes, not 5! 

-Mark

[Missaberoad]

I believe the "square box" is the fuel tank and the two cylinders are air reservoirs... 

[spookshow]

You are correct, and about 4 responses behind the times 

-Mark