Who still runs Athearn switchers?

[Anonymous]

I have 4 of the SW7s, NS, PA.,BN and CR
1 SW7 calf, CR
1 SW1500, PC
1 SW1000, CR
and 2 SW7 chassis with the Cary SW1500 shells, CR and P&LE
The extra weight of the Cary shells make them quieter and adds quite a bit to their pulling power.

[aloco]

Formerly known as the SW1500, the Athearn SW7 was the most popular plastic model of a GM switcher in HO scale. I had several of them, but they began to disappear when I started replacing them with Life-Like GM switchers. Both makes have their pros and cons. The Athearn switcher shell is more durable and easy to remove without breaking, while the Life-Like switcher shell is more accurately detailed. The Life-Like switcher runs better, but the weight of the Athearn switcher is more evenly distributed.

I used to have some Athearn Baldwin S12s too, but I decided to let them go because Baldwin switchers didn't fit in with the theme of the CP Rail segment of my railroad (prairies and southern Ontario). I do have a Stewart VO1000 done up for my fictitious short line, and while the shell looks great it doesn't run much better than an Athearn Baldwin switcher.