HO Scale EMD SW1500 Athearn Product Spotlight

[@paulliddiard141]

John, you forgot to mention my favorite detail: the SP style number boards! Great looking model ❤

[@JoeyBPhotography]

Great spotlight as always! I picked up 2 undecorated units of this model. I'm looking forward to painting them in my own freelance scheme.

[@buonaventurodevivo1954]

From my experience with the light package on various Southern Pacific Athearn models the emergency stoplight is reserved for the genesis line.

[@tsgmultimedia]

That makes sense. I tried the emergency stop on my WiThrottle and the light didn't come on, so I figured if it works that means I need to use a "legit" throttle.

[@awyep4169]

I have a bluebox SP one. Upgrading to 21st century tech is very tempting

[@riogrande5761]

Lovely model.

[@jeffpierce725]

Thanks John! I got my WP 1503. It looks and runs great!

[@Rtzee]

Excellent review on a non Genesis model. Thanks!

[@raybertelsen6090]

nice review John, dont have the $$ right now will see if I can get an SP/WP in a few months

[@tsgmultimedia]

Definitely worth saving for!

[@Form44208]

How quiet is the motor/drivetrain when it runs without sound? That is my major complaint with Athearn models. I just bought a Genesis GP40-2L and after 100 hours of running, it is still noisy. The only Athearn I have that has a quiet drivetrain like a ScaleTrains is a SD90MAC Genesis 2.0. I am waiting for ScaleTrains to build small switchers like these (they come with capacitors which is a must on small locos like these). Rapid is now using capacitors too. Regards, NS.

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

It seems quieter. These SWs use a different motor design than the typical RTR and Genesis offerings, same deal with the MP15AC

[@Form44208]

@@CentralJerseyRailfan Thanks!

[@RonStanek]

Nice Flexicoil trucks, is this a Athearn Ready to Roll version? Are the air reservoir tanks full round or half-cut likenesses?

[@stephenhudson8739]

I haven't had any luck with any of the Athern locomotives that i've had. They hesitated badly at slow speeds.

[@tsgmultimedia]

This one was tested straight out of the box using whatever settings are installed at the factory. If you turn momentum on, it will start and stop much more smoothly.

[@Espeemodeler]

@@tsgmultimediais there a way to do momentum with withrottle? I just started using it and would like to smooth things out.

[@ShawnCalay-hi6gy]

The last SW1500 I bought was 19.99....

[@patricknoveski6409]

Not anymore brother 😅

[@ShawnCalay-hi6gy]

@@patricknoveski6409 probably for the next 5 years. Shop I go to in Tennessee still has about 30 of them and I use them for G22u kitbashes.

[@25mfd]

wow... what year was that?

[@TheLocutus70-z9x]

I lived in an apartment that had ugly green carpet like the interior of the loco.

[@jim_cathymcclendon6091]

Gas chamber green lol!