As noted in part I, back a few years ago I posted about the Super Scale NW-2 model, of which I own a couple examples (see here, for example). But I’ve never posted about their SW-1 model.

Then this model arrived. It is a really interesting model, clearly on OO trucks, but the body is clunky and overscale. But, as should be clear from part I, it is the same Super-Scale OO model that saw in use on the Norfolk & Ohio of Carl Appel, which Appel modified in a variety of ways.

Let’s do some comparisons

Wondering how it really scaled out, I found (online) a scale drawing of an SW-1 and scaled it up to OO. The frame is the correct length but the Super-Scale body is a bit big, mostly in the cab sides and overall length. The cab looks especially oversized.

The next comparison is to the Super-Scale NW-2. First below is a stock version and second is the one built by James Trout.

The stock version has what I take to be the original cab and the Trout model has a modified cab. You can see the stock NW-2 cab is too small and the SW-1 cab too big. Why? Maybe they did it to make more room inside for the drive, I don’t know. You would think they would be the same?

Having gone this far, two more comparisons. The first is with a Worsley Works SW-8 and the second with an AHM SW-1.

The Worsley Works model is well scaled for OO, but the AHM model is around 1/80 scale, oversized for HO but small for OO. But their body is pretty close to OO, in several dimensions, to be honest, and I’ve made use of parts from this model on a number of projects.

Finally, a comparison from the front/top.

The hood of the Super Scale SW-1 is flat and too wide. It’s interesting how their NW-2 came off much better in this regard.

The drive

The drive seen on this model is the same as on my NW-2. It’s workable to be sure and of the time it was produced. Note also all the weight added to the body, someone really wanted this switcher to pull some heavy OO models.

Bonus: A video from Leonard Carey Williams

Well worth a look! Super Scale had some really big plans for Diesel switchers.

Final thoughts (for now)

Right now my basic plan for my small layout is I operate it either as 1940, 1960, or 1980, and I have dedicated sets of equipment that I run in each of those eras (plus I change out buildings and such to suit the era in operation, see for example the gas station project).

As the SW-1 itself was introduced in 1939, my plan is to go all out on a nice rebuild of this (and maybe also the stock NW-2), with the idea of operating it with my pre-war models and the Nason boxcab, not with the other more finely scaled Diesels that will live in the 1960 or 1980 eras. A Super Scale SW-1 is going to look a bit clunky no matter what I do, but it should be a nice engine to operate with the prewar models, which is what I have on the layout right now.

First step will be stripping off that paint! More on this model in a future post.

Return to Part I