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Rob Sarberenyi | profile | all galleries >> HO scale models >> Athearn's upgraded EMD SW1500 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Athearn's upgraded EMD SW1500

Photos of Athearn's newly released (as of March 2009) and upgraded EMD SW1500 as Western Pacific #1503. Model looks fabulous, especially the open screen over the newly tooled radiator cores on top of the unit's front hood. Full cab interior is really nice, as are newly tooled footboards (as-delivered, later removed on all roads), bell, and other factory provided details. I received mine from my friends at Athearn (thanks again, guys, you did a great job with this!), though it was missing the airhorn mounted in front of the cab. No problem, I'll install a Details West 5-chime airhorn where it belongs. The only other item is replacing couplers with Kadee no. 58s. Add a touch of light weathering and this beauty is ready to go! Last two gallery images show Athearn's mid-1980s tooling SW1500 for comparison.

UPDATE 3/23/09: Added four images showing under the hood flat can motor and chassis along with plug-n-play DCC compatible board.

UPDATE 3/24/09: Added short video footage on Youtube showing the SW1500 running on a test track http://www.youtube.com/user/espeef5
New Athearn SW1500 in the box New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 side view New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 side view New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 grilles
New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 grilles New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 rear cab New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 cab view New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 side view
New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 front overhead New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 overhead New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 front end New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 radiator grille
New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 rear steps and pilot New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 cab view New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 underside view New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 back end view
New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 radiator grille New Athrearn SW1500 WP 1503 cab roof Underbody view Shell removed
Board, motor and DCC plug Board, motor and DCC plug Board, motor and DCC plug mid-1980s era tooling SW1500 for comparison
mid-1980s era tooling SW1500 for comparison

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Don Shriner 11-Dec-2010 15:11
Very nice model,I was hoping their would be enough room under the shell to install a Digitrax or Soundtraxx sound decoder,Unfortunately it doesn't look like their will be.
Steve 29-Aug-2009 00:56
It's a great-looking model; I bought the WP 1501. From what I've been able to determine, it's prototypically exactly correct for when it was delivered to WP in 1973 (including the single-chime horn, which they had originally). Nice pictures!
Darrell Layton 26-Mar-2009 21:49
Great Model and pictures I like the new motor that's in it as well. I have the MP-15AC and it runs smooth as silk. Looking foward to getting both the 1500 and 1000. Thanks for the photos.

Darrell
Larry 26-Mar-2009 01:19
Athearn has done another nice job. Thanks for the photos. I plan on getting one each of the Southern in both paint scheme being made.
click on thumbnails for full image