Athearn Ready to Roll Southern Pacific SW1500s - Pacific Coast Lines

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Southern Pacific’s SW1500s were as iconic as their tunnel motor fleet. Though these 1500hp units forced older switchers into retirement, a newer generation would increasingly miss their presence as they met their fate in the early 2000s. Commonly referred to as ‘cruds’, SP’s SW1500 fleet universally were used in yard, local and road service. What set the SP SW1500 aside from the rest were the high mounted number boards on the forward end of the cab, flex-coil trucks, and light clusters on either end of the locomotive.
Native to Southern California I witnessed these units in every possible scenario thinkable. They were a common sight in service at Anaheim, Gemco, Buena Park, or Dolores Yard serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach or they would be strung together transferring cuts of cars between terminals throughout the Los Angeles Basin.
Thanks to advanced technology (and available time), I installed Tsunami2 21 pin-decoders using Nix Trainz Decoder Buddy Motherboards including Scale Sound Systems AHRR-1500-87 Speakers. LEDs are by Athearn and the Stratolite Beacon on SP2534 is by Rapido Trains.
Starting at Secoma on the Pacific Coast Lines, SP2537 doubles the balance of its train readying to transfer its cut to the other side of the layout. The balance of the video is from various areas of this beautifully detailed layout. For added flavor, MP15AC SP2754 is thrown into the mix.
Enjoy
Disclaimer: I am not a professional videographer and only share these images for the enjoyment of the hobby. To the viewers who expect the highest quality high-definition sound and video equipment at the ready, make a donation to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum by visiting www.sdmrm.org/ and support local businesses.
Vic Yoder: / @victoryoder
Vic Yoder Flickr: www.flickr.com...
Soundtraxx: soundtraxx.com/
Durango DCC: durangodcc.com/
Pacific Coast Lines: / brassmag
La Mesa Model Railroad Club: / lmmrrc
San Diego Model Railroad Museum: / pass
Nix Trainz: nicknixtrainz....
Scale Sound Systems: www.scalesound...
Athearn Trains: www.athearn.com

[@daviddryden8088]

There are many good model railroads and a few great model railroads. Then there are masterpiece model railroads of which there are just a handful. This is one.

[@MrRickSteele]

I used to see them often in Oakland proving local service, even a time or two with a calf. These loco's made my interest in modeling a lifetime hobby.

[@markhayes6407]

Nice scenery and layout. Like the locomotives and SP.

[@nicksanto882]

Very fine train on a very fine layout, Vic! Thanks for the Decoder Buddy shout out!!!

[@tommachut7167]

Great Scenery, Great Bio, and great set of power !

[@jeffreyhunt1727]

Beautiful layout!

[@J3scribe]

The new layout is just as brilliant as the original. Different. It seems a bit more rural, bit still just wow. Your crew are absolute master modelers. And the bridge @ 7:50. 😍

[@DarkTerritory71]

Super nice! You're running those switchers like it was a dream come true!

[@peterthx]

Fantastic layout. My only bummer is that the wig-wags don't operate. Love those things.

[@tucorameriz3538]

Great video!

[@craigwillett9988]

So very cool...they sound and look great! Real Southern Pacific

[@ArnoLanlay]

La perfection, bravo !