Howdy folks! I know we don’t really have much of a shortage of North American diesel switchers in the game, but I do feel there is a major gap to be filled. That gap would be the EMD SW1. The SW1 Story The SW1 was the EMD FT of switchers, a true breakthrough. It significantly helped to kill the steam locomotive. 661 units were produced by EMD from December 1938 to November 1953, “…with a gap in production between March 1943 and September 1945 due to World War II.” -Wikipedia As built, this unit came with an EMD 567 of a unique V6 design, making 600 hp. Trucks had journal bearings. What is also unique about the SW1 is its air throttle. Early EMD switchers did not have notched throttles, instead using an air throttle that is somewhat equivalent to a regulator. This is particularly interesting because it meant you could not feasibly MU more than about four units together at once, and you could not MU them with other units not equipped with air throttles. However, you could really bring on the power when you needed to, which was great for switching and kicking cars. This is probably one of the reasons why so many SW1s have or had poling pockets. For the uninitiated, poling pockets are little dimples in the pilot on either side of the locomotive, that were used for poling. Poling was the practice of using a wooden pole, placed between the poling pocket of a locomotive and the poling pocket of a freight car, to allow a locomotive to kick cars on adjacent tracks without actually having to switch to those tracks. Very dangerous practice. Anyway, back to the topic. We were talking about air throttles. As time went on, most railroads seem to have converted their SW1s to regular notched throttles, and upgraded the trucks with roller bearings, if not built with them. Old footboard pilots gave way to standard pilots. Speaking of that, several SW1s are *still* in active service today on shortlines, in museums, and even on Amtrak! To my knowledge, Metra also still rosters at least one, and uses it in active service. Up until recently (in the last 3-5 years), Metra had two units, but sold off one of them due to some sort of mechanical failure. The Proposal I propose the SW1 be added to the game, in two versions: as-built, and modernized. As-built would feature journal bearings on the trucks, an air throttle, steam-era brakes with Mike Rennie’s scripting (don’t know what type of air brakes SW1s were equipped with, somebody who knows can chime in), and a footboard pilot, among other relevant features. Modernized (Amtrak, Metra) would feature roller bearings on the trucks, ditch lights, a notched throttle, (presumably) 26L air brakes, and a regular pilot/no footboards. Side note: It is interesting to me that Amtrak and Metra have added ditch lights to their units because they’re exempt from the triangle light pattern regulation, having been built well before December 31st, 1948. Ok, this is great and all, but for those of us that like scenarios, can we actually use this thing? Yes, you can. I propose all roadnames I list be added. Western Pacific had three units (one of which was ex-EMDX) which could easily be put to use on the Feather River Route. Southern Pacific had 14 units, and there are several routes for them. PRR had a whopping 85 units, HSC is perfect. (NYC had the most at 103 units). Baltimore and Ohio had 16 units, Kingwood Branch, Mtn. Sub, etc are perfect. Great Northern had 9 units, CB&Q had 18 units, and BN inherited most or all of them. Decent number of routes for those. Amtrak had 19 units, all of NYC or PRR heritage. They could come to the game in Phases I-III and Phase V (please correct me if mistaken, and add other info if you feel it is relevant). Several were assigned to Chicago, Washington DC, and Sunnyside Yard in New York. Nos. 737 and 738 were assigned to Washington DC, and worked there for many years. 737 still works there, and is actively used by Amtrak. Good number of scenarios there imo, for both WAS-BAL and The Racetrack. Metra’s units could also be used on The Racetrack. Additionally, repaint possibilities are seemingly endless. I believe the SW1 is sorely needed, and would be a quite welcome addition to the game. Here are some photos I took of fully restored SP SW1 1006 when I did a Run-One at the Southern California Railway Museum. What does everybody think?
Here’s some more photos. The 1006 photos are mine. AMTK 737 photo credit to Craig Walker, from RR Picture Archives. Western Pacific 501 photo credit to Wikimedia Commons. Metra 1 photo credit to Robby Gragg.
The SW1 would be a nice little switcher to operate in TSC. It's also cool that you got to drive a locomotive. I did the same thing at the Nevada Southern RR in Boulder City, Nevada for my 18th birthday. I drove the UP #844 GP30. That was an awesome experience which I highly recommend to any train fans.
I I’m glad you agree that it would be a great addition to the game. I think it’s very much needed. Note to any developers seeing this thread-I would be willing to help however I can to get the idea in game. Would be willing to work my butt off doing research for you, providing photos, and providing sounds where possible.
