The birth of the SW1 in January 1939 was a historic moment for the Electro-Motive Corporation. The tiny switcher ("S" for six hundred horsepower, "W" for welded frame) was EMC's first truly mass-produced loco, the first with Electro-Motive's own electrical gear, and the first mass-produced engine powered by the 567 diesel motor - which would become the backbone of first-generation American diesel power. Popular with railroads large and small, the SW1 stayed in production for 15 years, and many remained in service for three or more decades.
Our RailKing Scale SW1 offers Premier level details at a RailKing price. Separately added metal detail parts include front, side, and rear handrails; bell and horn; grab irons to allow access to the top of the hood; and handles for the sandbox lid on the front pilot (which doubled as a convenient seat for yard brakemen). Built to full 1/48 scale proportions, this model also offers authentic, legible EMD builder's plates and directionally operating front and rear headlights. Single or dual exhaust stacks, per individual prototypes, are also featured.
Our SW1 includes dual pickup rollers on each truck, making this model nearly stall-proof on any three-rail O gauge switches, despite its short wheelbase. Throttle down as low as three scale miles per hour to muscle a heavy cut of freight or passenger cars around your terminal - and maintain that speed as long as you wish, thanks to Proto-Speed Control and twin flywheel-equipped motors. Listen to the authentic chant of a first-generation EMD 567 motor. Pick up and drop off cars wherever you like, with remotely activated front and rear Proto-Couplers. Our full-scale, fully featured model of this tiny EMD workhorse offers everything you could want in a hard-working yard switcher.
