Backdating an SW7 to SW1

[RDG1519]

If the intent is to get an SW-1 with sound than you might consider buying a brass ALCO Models SW-1 on EBAY, should be fairly cheap. There would be plenty of room in the carbody for a Soundtraxx sound decoder and speaker. Both the Brass version mentioned above and the Walther's has the drive shafts very low.

The switcher has a short carbody, I would use a brass version or go with the Walthers. Life is too short. Chris

[Jetrock]

There was an article in MR, about 1985 or so, that featured an SW7 kitbashed into an SW1--there were so many changes it was practically a scratchbuilding project. The Walthers SW1 model is a pretty fine little engine, if you can find it.

[cjcrescent]

Sorry fellas, meant to say I wouldN'T think so.

[BRAKIE]

The Walthers SW1 shows up on e bay from time to time..Why not go that route?

[ndbprr]

I would get a Walthers shell and then see what the fit was like. I suspect that things are really crammed in the BLI switcher and if much shorter in any direction it won't be doable.

[jrbernier]

The SW1 body is shorter, the frame is the same length. You would have to do a lot of cutting on the body to make a SW1 out of it(double step taper for one). The radiator is smaller, and the cab has those large curved glass windows.
I 'transplanted' an old Lindberg SW1 on an Athearn plastic frame many years ago. To power the unit, I turned the trucks around, powered only the front truck and moved the motor back towards the cab area. It came out nice, but had little pulling power. I think I still have it somewhere, but I now have a Walthers SW1 that runs much better(put n/s wheels and DCC in it).
I really think it would be a 'lost cause' to try this with the BLI SW7, the NW2 would be a better start, but after the body shortening, I suspect you would lose the sound system to make it all fit. What about getting a Walthers SW1(eBay seems to have them all the time) and investigate a Soundtraxx install in that engine(still might be a tight fit).

Jim Bernier

[DSchmitt]

I don't know if it possible with the HO model. I did this in N scale with a 1970/80's model "SW 1500" years ago.

The frame, walkways truck centers etc. are the same length (or very close). I based my converson on photos not measurements. The SW1 hood is shorter. The cab on the SW1 sits further forward and the nose sits further back than on the latter SW's.

The loco I used had a low mounted motor and no gear towers. I never finished a latter attempt that used a latter splitframe "SW1500" because the gears intefered with the placement of the short body.

I

[cjcrescent]

I would think so. The SW-1 was a really small loco compared to its later brothers.

[gewald]

Were SW7s so different from SW1s that modifying a Broadway Limited model to an SW1 would be impossible?