2023 REVIEW! Athearn SW1500 with DCC Soundtraxx Tsunami 2! PLUS ALL NEW FEATURES!

[@StevenBrereton-y5f]

Dude, I cannot thank you enough for doing your channel. I've learnt so much from it and enjoy it immensely. Please keep up the great work!

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you! Sure thing!

[@haroldalexis4200]

I have the previous SW 1500. But i certainly enjoyed watching this advanced tech version. Good video DG. ✅👍🎥

[@DGModelworks]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@FishplateFilms]

Good to see you back Deryk! Athearn are knocking it out of the park with there RTR series.....I love my SD40-2's! Very nice unit and great sound too. Cheers Gregg.

[@DGModelworks]

Hey Gregg! Great to hear from you! I agree, I love the new RTR series they are producing!

[@RonMontagueSWRR]

Great review. Awhile ago I set CV128 to 60 on all of my Athearn engines. It's a perfect volume setting for me and I'm not getting annoyed with it.

[@DGModelworks]

That's a good idea! Sometimes I like to mute my engines and run in silent. Just like the past.

[@BoeingBigJet]

I do 80 but same ...do it right away lol

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

4:00 also worth noting is that the Tsunami2 versions will also come with the 21 pin plug, but with a factory installed 21PNEM8 decoder but with a single sugar cube speaker in the front radiator section. Allows for an easy Lok swap if the modeler prefers that too, much like the current MP15ACs

[@DGModelworks]

If you watch the entire video, I cover all of this.

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

@@DGModelworks I commented that before I even watched the segment just a few mins later lol. Bit of a shame SSS doesn’t offer a drop in speaker yet so the nonsound buyers are left in the dust…for now

[@DGModelworks]

That's true. But give them time...esp since Athearn just recently started using the single cube speaker. And don't feel bad, I sometimes comment too early too....it's all good brother!

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

@@DGModelworks the single cube speaker seems to sound decent given how questionable their past 16x35mm rectangle and 28mm rounds sounded. Cubes at this point are largely industry standard

[@DGModelworks]

Yes I agree, I was pleasantly surprised at the sound output of the single cube speaker. I'm a fan of cube speakers.

[@jeffshultz9869]

Oh glad to see you back

[@sunnysiderails397]

Awesome review as always buddy, truly enjoyed!!! I ordered 2 of these, the BN and the Primed for Grime BNSF, super excited to get them running! Happy Holidays! -Ken

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy it! Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!

[@joedelusso1415]

Being a former New Englander I'm also a Conrail fan,I didn't see these SW1500's up there but the B23-7's were more common. However there was two short lines under the "Rail America" Connecticut Southern and New England Central now owned by G&W that shared a SW1500 in the early 2000's.

[@avlisk]

Thanks for the clarification on Ready To Roll line morphing into the Athearn line. I was wondering about that.

[@DGModelworks]

You bet! Glad it was helpful!

[@williamstribrny5175]

Anyone else having issues with the ground lights? I've tried CV-61 and that CV doesn't seem to turn on anything. Everything else works awesome. Great video... really helped me get my Conrail 6914 running!

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

Awesome review !!! I like Conrail alot myself !!!! Merry Christmas to you !!!!!

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you!!! Merry Christmas to you as well!!

[@HillbillyNitroUSA]

Nice score and great job on the vid, Derek! I think I’m going to have to have at least one of these. I really like the Conrail! 👍🏻🤙🏻

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks! Yeah, gotta love Conrail!

[@stephenlessner5686]

I really liked your review. I went ahaid and ordered a Conrail unit, I can't wait to receive it.

[@DGModelworks]

That's awesome! Hope you enjoy it!

[@railscanner]

Great video!

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you so much!

[@dirkmontgomery5983]

Seen a lot of Conrail stuff it ridley township essington area lotta ok f chessie stuff too was great

[@lynnzi3d]

That was great 👍🏼, I’m a Great Northern Big Sky Blue sweet spot . I’m building up my consist that way. Looking for BSB Passenger cars now.

[@DGModelworks]

Sounds great! Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

I appreciate your through reviews, keep up the good work 😎👍!

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks, will do! I appreciate that!

[@BoeingBigJet]

Just got a pair of Cotton belts today and one of mine was herky jerky at low speeds to

[@DGModelworks]

Hopefully what I mentioned helped fix that for you.

[@sparky107107]

that is a pretty sharp looking switcher..

[@Form44208]

The Athearns I have with LokSound 5 all run smooth (but not all so quiet). I wonder how your model would do with LokSound. Thanks for the video and review! I especially like that you do a quiet run test. regards, NS.

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you for your feedback. This is a beautiful model for sure. I'm sure Loksound would sound good too!

[@matthewarentzen7465]

Ah the 9619, our old hometown switcher. Former RDG unit. I'm surprised that the windows on the cab ends weren't plated over, plus the drip strips over them. That's OK. More for me/us to do! Great review, brother!

[@DGModelworks]

It would be great to see Athearn do the version of this in Reading paint patched out for CR. I think I might have to mention that.

[@matthewarentzen7465]

@DGModelworks oh sure! Those would move. Plus, the original RDG. They had different style samdhatches and a block on the walkway, (eng side), but I forget what it was for. KV models has etched parts for the SW1500.

[@jonolevesque843]

Can you put a weight with your cas to calculate your pulling needs ?

[@AndyKonTrains]

How was your low speed out of the box ? I just got one and it seems a little rough at low speed. I haven’t adjusted anything yet besides the volume

[@DGModelworks]

I take it, you didn't watch the video? Lol. I discussed this in the video. 😉 Along with how I fixed it.

[@AndyKonTrains]

@ I scanned through lol. I adjusted mine as well.

[@DGModelworks]

Awesome!! I hope it helped, and hope it works well now.

[@parts323]

Nice review of a sharp little locomotive.

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you very much!

[@parts323]

You're welcome.@@DGModelworks

[@BrandonWagner93]

Which NCE system do you use Derek?

[@DGModelworks]

Hey there! I use the Powercab with the SB5 smart booster, and wifi antenna and wireless controller. Here are a few of my vids with my setup. SB5 Booster kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXLVYZJro8-KaKs Wireless setup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWLOeqqjmpqmgbc Use circuit breakers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnLIZWCfrLJgi9k

[@mikeberthold1593]

How is that switcher able to pull that many cars??

[@DGModelworks]

It's impressive! I was blown away just as you... This is a really nice loco for the price!

[@Nick-HBC]

Just a comment here- LEDs will dim over time from degradation. I can't speak anything to the amount of hours it would take for such a small LED, but being at 50% may make it last longer, than being at 100%. However, if you run the train for an hour a few times a week, you may never notice or experience this LED becoming dimmer. Just might be a reason why the factory set it at 50% to start with... or not. Good to see another video from you!

[@DGModelworks]

Interesting. It might be. I heard it was just to be a prototypical brightness, but the ground lights are usually pretty dim from the factory. Actually it was set to below 50%. It was a value of 50 out of a max of 255. Anyways, thanks for the info. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

The stock motherboards use 20K ohm resistors which is extraordinarily dim for certain applications

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Personally, I’m into steam locomotives and have a layout depicting Dad’s Army location Walmington-on-Sea. My collection of locomotives are Southern steam locomotives.

[@DGModelworks]

That's awesome!

[@denisebasile3813]

Can it run on straight DC

[@DGModelworks]

Yes... but some lighting and sound functions may be limited

[@randydobson1863]

hello Derek & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool thanks Derek Friends Randy & Merry Christmas & Happy New Year's & Best in the New Year's Derek 2024 FRIENDS Randy

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks Randy, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

One would think it’s a jolly old Gronk!! I’m not impressed by diesel sounds, but that’s just a matter of taste!!

[@DGModelworks]

Yeah, I understand. No worries.

[@HotRodRodney25]

awesome switcher locomotive

[@DGModelworks]

It sure is!

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi3409]

Marry Christmas deryk glass miss u buddy happy birthday as well your awesome guy I been working my layout life been crazy my girl my layout I an fished it up also been collected my trains doing photography

[@DGModelworks]

Merry Christmas Taylor! I know what you mean about life being crazy.

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi3409]

@@DGModelworks amen deryk glass

[@georgko9452]

Hi... How are you? I follow your channel for a long time. I like your explanations. I'd like to ask you if you can give us a Layout Tour and tell us what you want to Do in the future. I wish you the Best and Merry Christmas. Thanks ... By Georg

[@DGModelworks]

Thank you so much! I will try to get something like that for you. I appreciate your support, Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@rpscsx]

I just wanted to be the first one to comment 😆

[@DGModelworks]

HAHAHAHA You are funny buddy!

[@002tar]

the manual for a real locomotive isnt that many pages haha

[@DGModelworks]

Hahaha 😆