P2K sw9

[trev]

Just purchased a used example from the states (I live in the UK) and it arrived okay but most of the handrails were broken or missing, don't want to return it because of the cost BUT where can I obtain spares from? I've searched high and low without success.

2nd question. Does anyone else have the same problem as me, the darned loco will NOT go over Kaydee track uncouplers, all my other locos including another P2K do not have a problem but this so and so does.

Any help or advice on either questions are gratefully received.

[beentherecnthat]

The earliest runs of P2K SW's had this problem as the lower truck gear case was too low. The later runs rectified this with a better clearance. I don't know if Walthers (who now own Life-Like) would have retrofits, but it is worth a call. The only other solution would be remove the lower cover and file/sand it thinner.

[lyled1117]

I support BNCT, the early run case bottoms were too low and LL at the time offered a corrected part. That was between 15 & 20 years ago but maybe Walthers still has the part. They did acquire all the LL material including these parts if they were still around. One friend of mine did sand the bottom of his cases down before he learned about and got the corrected part.

One option on the hand rails .... did the rr owner of your loco convert the open porch short rail to a full length rail? The model is of an as-delivered version with a short side rail. Many rr's kept that version, but others either converted them to a full length rail or (maybe?) had them delivered full length. Getting some Smokey Valley or comparable stanchions and converting yours to full length for your crew's safety might be a consideration.

Lyle

[trev]

I very nearly rubbed me fingers to the bone sanding the bottoms of the trucks so that they cleared Kaydee magnets and have sort off sorted the handrails out, using the brains that the good lord gave me I realised that the Kato NW2 handrails were practically the same as the sw9/1200 ones so have sent for some.
2 further questions: what airhorns did PRR use on their SW9/1200's and what antenna if any

Much appreciated

[annarborfan]

Horn common to the PRR SW1200 was a Leslie 3 Chime with all bells forward like Cal-Scale 190-628, some units had a two chime Leslie. Radio antenna when equipped was a whip style or Sinclair. The SW1200's were plain jane units from one order, no MU and only real optional equipment was a 930 gal tank. If you want to model the PRR diesels I suggest to anyone the Withers Publishing "Pennsylvania Railroad Diesel Locomotive Pictorials", finding good PRR diesel pics on the internet can be hard.