I remember an article in MR or RMC about modifying the Athearn SW7 so that it would have the "stepped hood". Anyone know in what issue that may be found? I don't have it notated anywhere.
thx
I gave away all of my old MRs some years ago and can't remember in which issue that article appeared, but do recall the article.
I used it to change Athearn's switcher (marketed as an SW1500 I think) into an NW2...
The one shown has a large Sagami motor (I had to use a mill file to remove material from the inside of the body shell to make it fit), plus a detailed cab interior and added weight. I also installed Ernst gearsets, but later removed them, as the loco was too slow to run with others.
Wayne
Wayne- did you just file/carve down to the lower profile, or was a piece from the AHM SW-1 used?
Thx-
Mike
I don't recall the exact procedure (it was done some time ago, and I no longer have the loco) but the step-down in the hood used (I think) the original sloped portion - likely cut off the sloped top. I never owned an AHM SW1, so it definitely wasn't from that.The side of the hood then had material removed to create the shorter slope and the flat top of the sides where they meet the front of the cab.The original sloped top-section was then cut to fit the shorter slope and the flat portion, although I may have used .060" sheet styrene for that portion instead. I built that diesel before building the house in which I now live, so the article you're seeking is likely pre-1987. I may have a photocopy of it, and will check when I get home in a couple of days.
Here's a photo of it on a previous layout...
EDIT: I missed your reference to RMC - if the article was there, I will check, as I have RMC that goes back to the '60s.