BLI NW2/SW7

[Missaberoad]

Doh! 

[Cajonpassfan]

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

-Mark

Touché 

[up1950s]

Edit 12/7/19
I just got my 4 UP units and was shocked to see the handrails matched in color and does not look oversized at all . I will take some shots when I have a chance today or tomorrow . These are top notch looking UP units , and represent the state of the art .

[Cajonpassfan]

Richie, there are some grabs on the top that could be finer, but the handrails around the porches and hood look fine to me. But maybe that’s because mine are black and may look fatter in harbormist grey?
Otto

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, hell😬 It seems my new NW2 came down with a touch of Be-elitis. Crap. On its third day and less than an hour of running, it started sputtering and stuttering on what I consider pretty clean track...at least my other engines think so. I cleaned the heck out of a section of track just to make sure that wasn’t the problem, but no luck. It wouldn’t go three inches without cutting out... Cleaned the wheels, nothing.

So remembering Mark’s comments about goop in the gears (thank you @spookshow) I pried the trucks off, cleaned out most of the goop, and while at it, reamed out the brass axle bearings with a sanding stick. I also polished the contact points on the brass riser with a bit of 1800 emery pad. Voila’ that did the trick, and now I have it running well again. We’ll see how long it lasts....keeping my fingers crossed.

The truck design is actually quite simple and clever, the truck pries off the body with a twist of a flat 3mm screwdriver, and the sideframes press fit into the truck, neatly containing the brass pickup strip. It does take a bit of force to press the truck  back in place. It’s a pretty straightforward fix and I hope the pics below are useful (sorry about the last pic, but you get the idea). I also checked the gauge while doing this and all four axles are right on. What a concept!
Otto K.

[joelm]

Glad to hear it Otto - I ordered two on Monday.  (Like I need more NW-2s).  Joel

[Frank Amato]

Ooh man these look really really nice! Maybe Santa will bring me an undec for me to paint up as a Lehigh Valley unit...

[Cajonpassfan]

Glad to hear it Otto - I ordered two on Monday.  (Like I need more NW-2s).  Joel

Ha, but of course you do Joel! I just hope my “fix” is somewhat permanent. I could use another one, in UP, to replace my Kato, but I think I’ll wait a bit to see how this puppy does first. When it runs, it is sweet.

On another note, I decided to test the NW2 pulling power against the Atlas S2. While the NW2 is a good puller as noted previously, the Atlas S2 walked off with it when coupled and pulling in opposite directions at the same speed. Also, the S2 can pull my parked NW2, but the NW2 won’t budge the parked S2. Neither engine has traction tires, but the longer S2 has just a tad more weight. Size does matter
Otto K.

[joelm]

Well the NYOW didn't have any S-2's, but the DL&W did. Maybe I need one for Shellysburg!

[prr7161]

Got my pair of undecs today to paint up for the P&LE.  I was surprised to note that the undecs ship with all the applied parts separate, including the air reservoirs and stacks.  I don't mind it - it will make the detailing and painting I want to do less risky - but didn't see this fact mentioned anywhere before.

[Joetrain59]

prr7161, I think that is starting to become the norm.
 Joe D

[wcfn100]

I think I'm getting my undec today.  Anyone looking a putting a stepped hood on theirs?

Jason

[Frank Amato]

The stepped (early) hood is the Kato version, correct?

[wcfn100]

The stepped (early) hood is the Kato version, correct?

Yeah.  Unfortunately even with two NW-2 models, we don't have a phase 4 which I believe was the most common, and the only one I need. 

Jason

[Frank Amato]

Here's a cool reference to the window, hood, and louver variations :

http://yardlimit.railfan.net/emd/spotting/index.html