Continuing the EMD Switcher Project
I’ve had two (now three) EMD switcher projects underway, and with the cooler weather I’m able to get into my garage shop and work on such things again (after a very busy September into October).
I’m going to combine two series of posts together here, as I’m highly likely to be working on all three engines together from this point forward. I started looking at the Super-Scale SW-1 and NW-2 projects here:
Looking at the Super-Scale SW-1, part I: Appel
The SW-1 and NW-2 models I plan to paint in my “pre-war” Orient scheme (all black, like the boxcab — which will tend to obscure the lack of details) for my 1940 era operations. I think I can revive the original drives (adding universals for sure) so they will run nicely together. A topic of a future post.
The third engine is a Worsley Works SW-8 that I found on eBay (and plan to decorate as a Bicentennial engine, to run with my other SW-8) here:
Plain fact is all three engines, while they have great potential, need a lot of work.
I got the SW-1 model stripped, and in cleaning it just got looking at it closer, figuring out what issues I can correct, and what ones I can’t.
Key feature/issue: the cabs
The first photo above shows, left to right, the NW-2 cab, the SW-8 cab, and the SW-1 cab. They should all be the same, but they are not. The two Super Scale cabs are both too tall, but also wildly different from the side. The NW-2 cab sides will have to be replaced. I’m hoping I can save the SW-1 cab, but the sides may also be replaced.
This version of the side view shows the differences yet again. The SW-1 cab is somewhat too long, while the NW-2 cab is somewhat too narrow from the side.
From the top, the angle of the radius on the cab roof is also not right on either of the Super-Scale engines. I think I can save both roofs, it will take some careful work.
And then we look at the end (sideways). The NW-2 cab is close to correct (although narrow), and the SW-1 cab is kind of off in terms of key details — and is too wide.
In all cases, also, the Super Scale model windows are too small. I think they misread the drawings, all the opening need enlarged. Which will be a lot easier to correct with them disassembled, which is my next step.
Body height comparison
Finally (for today!) there is the topic of hood height. The SW-1 is too tall and the NW-2 is too short! Really have to address both issues when I have the cabs off. The SW-1 fix involves a lot of filing, and the NW-2 fix will involve soldering something like 1/32″ bar stock on the bottom of all sides of the hood.
On all these issues the SW-8 is good, but as mentioned in the original post on that model, I do need to fix the front end of the hood, it was not assembled correctly. That has to come apart.
Still, they are all great project engines, would love to get all three on the layout, and they will be good to work on in the garage where I can do all that dirty work easily.
When the series returns, I hope to have made some real progress!
Hello again John,
Yes, the wider cab will be possibly hard to incorporate-at least the brass can be worked with and the roof curvature will be a factor in terms of realism, but it will be nice to see how it all progresses. Good luck as you enter the shop for the colder season. I was quite ill the past two months but have enjoyed all your recent work! It has helped me through a difficult period. Hopefully I am ” back on Track” now-pardon the Railroad wording!