The locos were produced at different times over the past 15 years. I believe that there were 3 runs total. One under LL in the big blue box with dual foam cradles, then two under Walthers with the single cradle grey box.
The shells should be interchangeable, as long as you match the vintages. I think any one in the big blue box should be able to swap with another blue box. I think it would be a pain because of the pc board and the wiring of the lighting, but its doable.
Walthers changed the trucks and pc boards during the intervening time between the grey box runs, so matching vintages is important if the locos you're swapping come in a grey box. You can google search the item numbers and possibly search the Walthers site which might give you a list of the item numbers.
As long as you keep the locos consistent with their vintages, IMO, SW8's and 9's can be swapped.
- Douglas
I this the correct forum? Please inform and move Mods
Will the Proto 2000 SW8/600/900 shell fit on Proto 2000 SW 9/1200 and vice versa? I have an SW8 without DCC in my road and can pick up a SW9 with DCC installed in a road I don't need/want (Southern). But I could probably sell the converted non DCC Southern and offset my cost. Both are lightly used and in good shape. I am all thumbs when it comes to decoder instalation that isn't drop in 8/9 pin. Thanks