 Page Updated: Sep 1, 1999 EMD SD EMD GP EMD SW: SW-1 SW-7 SW-8 SW-9/900 SW-1001 SW-1200: Photos Loco Roster Paint Roster Life-Like HO Life-Like N References SW-1200M SW-1500 NW-2 MP-15DC EMD E/F GE Dash7/8 GE U-Boat ALCo Century ALCo RS/S Electrics Misc Rosters Rolling Stock Maintenance Scenic Gallery Modeling Ref Shelf CRCyc Home What's New Help Out Site Map Contributors |
The Life-Like N scale SW-1200, in my opinion, is the best switcher ever made in the scale and is a good choice for Transition Era to 1990s Era Conrail modelers. There is nothing like creeping up to a stationary car in a siding at a few scale miles per hour, coupling up, and moving on. Since Life-Like will not be making common modern switchers like the SW-1500, I hope that either Atlas or Kato will take up this challenge in N scale, filling a huge void in the hobby.The Life-Like Proto2000 HO model and the N scale version on the exterior are nearly identical models, except for a few important details, which I point out below. You may gladly check the SW-1200 HO Modeling page for more details. Handrails: My main problem with Life-Like's N scale version of their SW-1200 and their SW-900 is that they use the same handrails on all their models. On the prototype, those switchers equipped with MU capabilities had end rails that were curved upward. Those switchers that didn't have MU equipment had straight end rails. The units Life-Like chose to model in both HO and N scale were MU equipped. While the Proto2000 HO models have the correct curved end rails, the N scale models do not. I suspect the intricacy of the curved handrails in N scale would have been too difficult or costly to model, as opposed to the straight version. I recently saw an Athabasca ad in N Scale magazine for replacement etched brass curved handrails. While I haven't tried the product, it looks like it should easily work. Other Details: On the HO Modeling page I detail how to take the predecorated CR 9344 model and modify it to reflect its 1990s era prototype, complete with proto photos. You can use the same principles for the N scale version.  Photos for personal use only. All rights reserved by original owner of image. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without express written permission is prohibited. |
