With the upcoming Atlas release, I was wondering what the differences are between the various modern switchers. Here are three I saw today, none of them the same: So... the questions is, which is which?
Top and bottom photos are MP15's, and the middle photo is a SW-1500. Note that the MP-15 rides on the Bloomberg-style road switcher trucks, while the SW-1500 rides on a road truck designed for switchers. There are also slightly different profiles on the top of the hood. The SW-1500 was first introduced as part of EMD's "645" line in 1966...one of 12 or so new models introduced in 1966, featuring the new model 645 prime mover, replacing the earlier model 567. The SW-1500 was produced from 1966 until 1974, when EMD re-vamped their entire catalogue. While most models in the catalogue got the -2 model designation (the GP38 became the GP38-2, the SD40 became the SD40-2, etc.), the SW1500 was replaced in the catalogue with the MP-15. One interesting fact...the UP never had any SW-1500's or MP-15's until their recent series of "acquisitions"... JDLX Elko, NV
That's not bloodly likely as long as Con-Cor is the only one making the model. Maybe now that Atlas is dipping into the modern switcher market they will introduce a mdel of their own in a few years.
Oops...of course I knew that the -2 line came around in 1972 and not 1974...it was late and I was tired... However, the SW-1500 did remain in production until 1974, at which time it was replaced by the MP-15. Thanks for catching and correcting that... JDLX Elko, NV
One possible exception - some of CN's GP9s: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cn/cn4240ags.jpg (photo from Fallen Flags; Kamloops Jct. BC - 08/07/1965 - Don Ross Photo, Gary Stuebben Collection)
