Broadway Limited has announced production of a Phase V NW2 in HO scale. The first release of roadnames does not include Frisco but does include BN. Frisco modeler Tony LaLumia has compared pictures of the model on BLI's website to a photo of #261 which spent much of it's later career here in Wichita and has noiced the 261 has one more row of side vents than the Paragon 2 model. This raises the question as to whether any of the Frisco NW2's were the Phase V version? By looking at delivery dates in Marre's "Frisco Diesel Power" book I'm going out on a limb to say that I doubt it as the #261 was one of the last 6 delivered. Someone with more knowledge that me needs to claify the phases. http://www.broadway-limited.com/paragon2emdnw2switcher.aspx They are offering an unpainted version (see page 2)
Bob, The Frisco NW-2 units were phase IV (250 - 259) and V (260 - 265). Major spotting differences include louvered engine compartment doors with a letter board space below the short and above the long column of louvers. Phase IV had frame falsees at the step wells and phase V do not. Phase IV units have a two step taper from the top of the hood rear to the cab, phase V units have a straight taper. The extra set of louvers to the rear of the engine compartment doors are on replacement doors fabricated by the Frisco. These extra vents improved ventilation cooling for the engine and main generator. In photographs notice the louvers have a different spacing (letter board) and different latch mechanisms. The units originally had a single door handle type locking lever at the mid point on the open end of the door. The replacement doors (one each side) had upper and lower (2 total) clasp door locking levers. A good detail shot is found in another post that includes a photograph of SLSF 253. The new door, extra vents and latch mechanisms clearly show on the door immediately to the right of the letter "O" in Frisco. Please see the second (lower) photo in post: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?t=675&highlight=nw2 Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Thanks for the information. Since I have not kept up with the market and who is making what, my basic question would be who makes models of these, if anyone, beside the planned Paragon issue this year? Tony LaLumia
Tony, You did not mention the desired scale. You might find the following post helpful. If in HO, please see the 9th post down: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?t=3186&highlight=nw2 Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
If these are from the same dies as their frist NW 2 release I would highly suggest that you pass on this one. Their models are a huge step backwards compaired to what Athearn , Atlas and the rest are offering in the way of detailing. I own one of their earlier NW 2's and am greatly disappointed with it. Bob Wintle
Bob: Were the original NW2's in the Paragon line (Maroon box) or the Blueline? They are also releasing an SW7 in the Paragon line. If it is as the advertisement says, it has the same detail as the original Paragon line. The key difference (Paragon vs. Paragon 2 seems to be in the electronics. They are claiming state of the art back EMF motor control in DC and DCC, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, Radio Chatter, and Ambient Surround Sounds. There is a video on the website stating one can program a locomotive to operate in an automatic manner emmiting certain sounds on cue for an open house, etc. They are only offering the locomotive in a sound version.
Bob: It is a Paragon. The sound is not all that great but it is LOUD. The detail is just a step back about 20+ years. Extremely thick handrails and not all that crisp details on the body. Mine also had a problem with one of the trucks. to their credit they made good on that, but I am still very disappointed in it. Another word of caution is that if you buy one and want to strip the paint be very careful as the type of Plastic it is made of is very easy to ruin with just a small amount of paint remover and very little time. I hope that not only have they upgraded the electronics that they upgraded the body. After reading their website a little while ago I highly doubt it. Isn't the difference between their Blue line and the Paragon line just the electronics. I am not totally sure of that. Bob
I think that you are right aboutthe electronics. As far as stripping the paint, they are offering an undecorated model but it is the same price ($179.95) as the decorated ones and has the same sound system. I hate to use the word tinplate or cheesy but the steam one has smoke which increases with the speed of the loco. They claim the sound is so realistic on the diesel ones that you can hear them transition through each of the 8 speed steps. What is the worth of that on a switcher? Also, they only have a couple of horn choices. For those of you that want a comparison of features and realistic effects, the Soundtraxx Tsunami which many of us feel is the standard to compare to, has eight horn effects to choose from including the Leslie 5 chime and both the Pyle Gyra Light and the Rotating Beacon.
