ATH-29777 Athearn RTR SW1500 Locomotive with DCC & Sound, Frisco #317 HO Scale

Description

ATH-29777AthearnHO ScaleSW1500 Bo-Bo Diesel-Electric#317 FriscoDCC/SoundSLSF FEATURES:ARR Trucks with Timken bearingsFirecracker antennaLarge fuel tankMU hosesFrame-mounted handrailsSmall single chime hornCab Stratolight beacon (Functions in DCC mode)Footboards on both endsDelivered in 3 groups, the Friscos SW1500s were numbered 315-352. Options as specified by the railroad included MU capability, rotary beacons, and roller-bearing-equipped AAR trucks. Most survived the BN-SLSF merger and continued to serve the BNSF for a time after, as well.Between 1967 and 1973, Southern Pacific purchased one of the largest orders of SW1500s with over 200 units to help replace their aging fleet of Alco, Baldwin, and FM switchers. Unique SP spotting features included a large cab-front mounted number board and SPs full front and rear lighting package. In the mid 1980s, two SW1500s (2539 and 2575) were repainted in the red and yellow Kodachrome scheme in anticipation of a merger with Santa Fe. Both schemes were slightly different from another and only 2575 lasted in this scheme, retired just before the UP merger of 1996. As many were sold off for further use after the merger, UP retained some for use in areas with lighter track and local switch jobs that needed smaller motive power.MODEL FEATURES:Lit ground lightsDetailed cab interiorDrop steps unless notedMU standsDual exhaust stacksPrinted numberboardsFine scale handrailsSignal hoses as appropriate to the prototype road (MU capability was a railroad specified option for these locos, and some railroads did not order it).Front and rear trainline hoses with silver glad handsSeparately applied wire grab ironsSee-through radiator intake grille and cab windowsLow or high mounted windshield wipers per prototypeRectangular or oval builders plate where appropriateSeparately applied air tankMcHenry scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatibleAll-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operationAll-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flowDCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connectorImproved 5-pole skew wound can motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrainWheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of trackHighly-detailed, injection molded bodyInterior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storageMinimum radius: 18NEW FEATURES:Operating ground lightsNewly designed can motor is more powerful and quieter than beforeDCC-ready models feature 21-pin plugDCC & sound models feature Economi sound with single cube speakerLED lighting for long life and reliable operationSOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATUREOnboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Economi soundSingle cube speaker for optimal sound qualitySound units operate in both DC and DCCEngine, horn, and bell sounds work in DCSome functions are limited in DCAll functions NMRA compatible in DCC modeOperating lighting functions with F5 and/or F6Excellent low-speed operationProgram a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lightsMany functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changesCV chart included in the boxPROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATIONAn EMD SW1500 is a 4-axle diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1966 and 1974. It is similar in appearance to the EMD SW1000 model, which has a different engine and has one exhaust stack while the SW1500 has two.Power was provided by an EMD 645E 12-cylinder engine which generated 1,500 horsepower. This locomotive was built on the same common frame as the EMD SW1000, giving it an overall length of 44 feet 8 inches.The SW1500 featured a bulkier carbody and was a bit heavier from earlier models although its intended use remained the same, working light branch lines or in industrial settings. Many railroads regularly used SW1500s for road freight service.