Hi All: I have a gorgeous S Helper Service Ph 1 NW-2 in black and awaiting decals. (I have Oddballs S scale B&Y set of decals.) I turn to you guys for help in selecting a number w/scheme to model. First off, my "era" is the mid-sixties. What I want: * Prefer a full stripe jobber as opposed to the simplified scheme. * Want the elongated block-style FRISCO on the side. (Not the Railroad Roman.) A pic during my era would be GREAT... but pics of Frisco NW-2's in the mid sixties are scant at best. Anyhoo... Any of you know what number could fill the bill for this? Thanks in advance. Andre Ming
Andre, According to Marre & Harper in Frisco Diesel Power, NW2 #258 was delivered to SLSF 6/4/48 and was in service to 6/30/82. It had the four chevron design up the nose as did the SW-7 #304. The nose of #258 is visible in a picture of #254 and it on page 23 of Marre & Sommers' Frisco in Color and #304 is on page 25. #258 can be seen here: http://condrenrails.com/Frisco Catalog/NW2s.htm
klr: Silly me. I have Frisco In Color. See what internet surfing is doing to us??? Thanks for the input. Though 254 and 258 both have the full stripe scheme, they also have the Railroad Roman lettering/numbering. Darn. I was hoping for a block style "FRISCO" that I mentally associate with better. Ah well, the search continues. I may be pootin' in the wind on trying to find a pic of a Ph 1 NW-2 in full stripe w/block lettering/numbering. May have to settle for a simplified scheme w/block lettering/numbering. Also, does anyone know the numbers of the Ph 1 NW-2's on the Frisco? Looks like the later ones were Ph 2. Andre
Per Extra 2200 South July/August 1973 Phase I 3/39-3/43 Phase II 7/45-10-46 Phase III 10/46-10/47 Phase IV 10/47-1/49 Phase V 2/49-12/49
Unfortunately, the Frisco had no Phase 1 NW-2's. I have had two undec Kato NW-2's for years which I just sold on HOYARDSALE as I finally figured out that the SLSF did not have any Phase I NW-2's. The key is that there are no louvers on the hood side on a Phase I. I'd have to do some research with the X2200S article and shots of the Frisco's NW-2's, but I'd guess right now after a quick look that the entire Frisco NW-2 roster was made up of Phase IV and Phase V units. The Phase IV has the stepped hood transition and the rounded top forward cab windows. The Phase V has the same cab windows, but has a smooth hood transition. Note they both have rows of louvers above and below the panel on the hood that carries the Frisco name. Ken
Well bullcorn. Obviously, in my haste, I didn't do enough research. Didn't realize (or had forgotten) that there were that many phases of NW-2's. Okay... so much for a Frisco NW-2 project. Guess it's going to become some other KC roadname. Drat. Andre Ming
Andre - So far, the only Phase I NW-2's I can confirm are B&O. MP had NC-2's (close - cast frame) and CB&Q had NW-1's. Ken
Well... I may scarf up an extra SW-9 hood and try to cut/sand the louvres and go ahead with a Frisco version. IF NOT... Then I may resurrect my theme from the last of my HO days and make the primary player on my KC Lines layout the "Kansas City & Gulf". In that case, the Frisco would become a supporting actor, but not the main star. Previously had thought about creating the "Kansas City Belt" line, and use black w/yellow stripes scheme similar to KCT/SLSF... but have had second thoughts. Reason: Eventually there WILL be KCT and SLSF switchers puttering about the KC Lines layout, and the KC Belt wouldn't stand out much. Blending-in may be a good thing... but sort of redundant with all the other black w/yellow stripes? Decisions, decisions. Andre
Andre, There are at least three alternatives to the NW-2 phase I and II units produced by Kato. 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. Option 1 Consider removing the louver sets from the shell or an Athearn SW-7. They are closer to the width you need verses the GP-7 or GP-9 louvers. These can then be added to the Kato shell. Option 2 Broadway Limited has manufactured a NW-2, phase V. These were available both with and without sound. Check the net and local hobby shops for one in stock. I know a local shop that has some in stock for other railroads in Grandvew, MO. Option 3 Con Cor manufactured a NW-2, phase IV. They used the former Revell (plastic) and Lindburg (die cast metal) molds. The shell is what you want. Again check the net or railroad flee markets in your area. With a few modifications as noted above you can produce either of the phase variations you desire. Please do not give up yet on your efforts for a proper Frisco phase NW-2. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Wow Mark, now that is an informative post. Thank you. Alas, I should have made it more readily apparent that I model in S scale, and the model I am talking about is the S Helper Service NW-2. Very sorry for being unclear. For the model I have, click below to see some pics from the SHS website illustrating a couple of their RTR offerings. HOWEVER!.... I've just learned there is an S scale company that offers louvre wafers for kitbashing... SO... that may be an easier way to shuffle louvres. Still, though... perhaps I'll just make the Kansas City & Gulf my primary road.
Speaking of winging it with the KC&G as my primary road. Doing this would allow me the flexibility to incorporate models that I like, but my favorite prototypes didn't have (or had different phases/etc). PLUS... and this is a biggie... the paint schemes are such that I can really play with the weathering. Black units don't show the weather effects as handily. FWIW: For a long time, I've been fascinated with railroads that didn't have the best of finances and had to make do with very tired equipment. (Such as the Rock Island/etc, along with some of the eastern RR's.) Thus, my KC&G theme was developed to illustrate a struggling road with a "fix up and make do" situation to deal with. The beauty in my KC Lines idea is that I can use the KC&G as my primary road... but then ANY other line that operated in KC would be appropriate either as interchange traffic, or whatever! With the KC Lines layout concept, I FINALLY figured out a way to scratch my itch for variety in power and paint. FYI: I have attached a (poor quailty) pic of a KC&G NW2 in HO scale. It illustrates one of the switcher paint schemes as well as the well worn paint and struggling mechanical condition.
Andre, sorry, but Frisco only had Phase IV and V NW-2's. There was an issue of the FMIG Newsletter devoted to them. It should be posted here on frisco.org. The Phase I was close enough to a Phase IV that few would know the difference. I think it was something about the side louvers, but I'd have to reread the article. Doug
Andre, I confused your original post that did indicate you were using the S-Helper Service model with the post by Ken that mentioned the Kato model. Sorry about that. If your Option 1s of using the aftermarket parts does not work for you, S-Helper Service may still have the solution you need. They also make a SW-9 that has the louvers you can use. Please see http://www.showcaseline.com/Locos/SW9/01249FriscoSW9.jpg Option 2s Obtain an extra SW-9 shell and remove the louvers for parts. Option 3s Use a SW-9 shell as a master for a mold and cast your own louver parts. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Hi Again Mark! Yup, I already own that SHS option. In fact, that was the first S scale locomotive I purchased! As for the other options you list: Indeed, those are viable alternatives. In fact, I'm likely going to be purchasing another SHS SW-9 in Undec w/DCC/Tsnami soon, and the order will include an extra shell and other odds and ends. Thanks again to all of you for your willingness to help! Andre
I like this idea best of all. The HO "KC&G" paint job is neat! It has character .. Then get something else to paint "Frisco".
Thanks Sirfoldalot! I'm liking the idea better too. I will need to go back to my KC&G switcher roster and "tweak" a few things in order to drop the VO1000's (which aren't available in S scale) and add the Baldwin S12 (which IS available and of which I have three undecs). Now, having said that, the SHS S scale SW-9 is doable in Frisco easily enough. As you have seen in Mark's post, an Orange and White version is already available. (But the one in the photo linked below needs to have the optional MU pilots installed that come with the model.) Plus, since I'm getting ready to order another Undec SW-9, I could do the 314 which was in black w/yellow stripes until at least 1973, albiet the simplified stripe version. Scratch two itches, you see. OR... it could become a KC&G unit??? Wow! The world is my oyster... ain't it? All it takes is money! Andre
At least one unit, #261, carried all 3 of the paint schemes. I have photos of it in the original Roman style, a later repaint in the block style from the late 50's or early 60's and it did keep it full set of stripes. It would appear that all that was repainted was the "Frisco" and the numbers. It also ended its career in the O/W.
