Walthers has announced the release of four Frisco NW2 Switchers in Orange/White, Numbers 260, 262, 263, and 265. They are based on Phase V units built in 1949 with: Louvered radiator grilles Dual tall conical exhaust stacks Small front radiator grille Single straight hood to cab transition 6 louvered side doors with letterboard gap Large center cab windows Factory-installed grab irons on hood and cab With or without footboards as appropriate 3 styles of headlights to match prototype practice Numbers 262 and 265 are only available with ESU Loksound decoders (yuk) providing 4 different Horns: CV163 = Leslie A-200 CV163 = Wabco Single Chime CV163 = Nathan M3 CV163 = Leslie S3L, 2 different Bells: CV164 = Bronze Bell (default) CV164 = Steel Bell Numbers 260 and 263 are only available in DC. They are available for advance reservation with availability Spring 2025.
I had been hoping Walthers would include us in a run of NW2's or SW7s soon. The Walthers Mainline units are a nice "value" (relative to 2024 dollars). No road name specific details like their Proto line, but the price reflects that. MSRP is $154.98 for DC and $209.98 for Sound. I think street price will be about $136 and $185. Also worth noting, that the four numbers are split between the DC and Sound offerings. 262 and 265 only come with sound, and 260 and 263 only come DC. I have several other paint schemes from their NW2/SW7 lineup and I look forward to adding the Frisco models to it.
Spring Creek Model Trains has provided pre-order pricing: Non-sound #260 (910-10625) and #263 (910-10626) will be $117.80. Sound units #262 (910-20625) and #265 (910-20626) will be $159.60,
That's a really good price. For comparison, Midwest ModelRR prices are $178.48 for Sound and $131.73 for DC
As of this afternoon, these units are now marked in stock at Walthers. They should appear on dealer shelves within a week or two. Important note that I forgot to mention last summer, the DCC ready version of these models comes equipped with a "next18" socket. Next 18 silent decoders are still hard to find for some reason. I have been buying the NCE version when they are available. https://midwestmodelrr.com/nce0178/ If you want a good sound option (or to replace that LokSound garbage 2 of the road numbers come with) Soundtraxx does offer a next18 board. I'm sure our resident WizKid will have some thoughts on a tsunami install at some point. If anyone didn't preorder and are on the fence about these models, I have several of the Sw7 version of these models by Walthers (same frame and drive). The pair I just put on the layout run really well. I haven't really tested pulling power yet, but they do seem to have a decent amount of heft for their size.
Sigh. Even though I'm quite happy with my choice of themes (my own KC&G theme), the ol' Frisco still looks good no matter. So many wonderful memories of my beloved Fort Smith Sub of the Frisco. LokSound: Thus far, it's been my experience with my LokSound Select's is they have very good sounds, and for me are easy to work with to change CV settings/etc... but I get more versatility with the way Keith programs the TSU2's in my KC&G stuff. HOWEVER, one of my friends has recently released engines with LokSound 5 installed, and some of those refuse to accept simple/basic CV changes (such as momentum) using one of my NCE hand held units and programing on the main.
On LokSound 5, I cannot do function remapping as well. You have to acquire a LokSound programmer to do function remapping and or cv changes. Another high dollar purchase and more learning time to process. I'll stick with TSU 2's.
FWIW, I did finally figure out how to remap functions in JMRI. It's more complicated than it should be, but it's an option. I'm still planning on ripping out all my loksound decoders over the next couple of years.
@geep07 Agreed. Their "LokProgammer" is another $149. Then there's the learning curve you mention. I still have several engines that are awaiting DCC/Sound. I intend to keep Keith in business for a while. LOL!
According to Mark Davidson, these locos are in at Midwest Model Railroad. The SoundTraxx TSU-N18 Tsunami 2 is a really simple install with the addition of one of my Sweet Sound Low/Wide Speakers. I can provide both pieces and even a printout of how I program them, with or without the braking function.
I wanted to quickly drop a note on the NW2s as well. These units came out as expected. For some reason one of the pre production photos showed a roof beacon, but none of the other photos did. The unit didn't come with one, which is actually correct. Some of the NW2s had small beacons, but I haven't seen a photo of them with a large beacon.
FWIW: All the NW 2's #260,262,263,265 according to the photos in Frisco Archives section all have beacons on them . The beacons where on them prior to the switchers being repainted to the O/W scheme. The Frisco Archives section photo's show the beacons were on them in the B/Y scheme prior to the repaint to O/W. In my conclusion, these models should have the beacons on them.
@geep07 Agreed. As I recall from countless photo viewings, the beacons atop select Frisco engines began appearing in '64 or so. It was soon generally applied including later engines purchased new, would arrive with beacons. Oh, and they should be AMBER beacons. (NOT the red that the mfg'er decided looked good. I don't know if I've ever seen a pic of any engine equipped with a red beacon atop the engine?)
I've been severely lacking in time this week to dive in to the beacon question. To clarify my previous statement, I want to emphasize the difference in the large and small beacons. Most of the NW2s seem to have had a small beacon at some point in their life. I don't recall seeing any with a large beacon the few times I've looked through NW2s in the archive. Again, short on time, haven't been able to dig back through and specifically look for that feature. The other thing I forgot about with Mainline series models, they don't include rooftop details like beacons and antenna. I have several models in my collection and none of them have such details. It's part of trying to reach their price point.
To clarify what I meant, too: By saying "beacons", I was in reference to whatever types were found on the Frisco in particular. Seems the switchers got that little amber beacon that was mounted on a stem. (Reminded me of a corn dog on a stick.) Most of the GP7's that I've seen down-on had sort of medium sized flush amber mounted "gumball" beacons on the short hoods, and the 2nd gen stuff had larger amber beacons that seem to set on mounts up on the roofs. Red. Sheesh.
