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Jerome, I don't think those models were ever produced. There was never a real SW1500 with that number and I've never seen the merger scheme applied to any switchers. I suspect that, since the merger scheme lasted such a short period of time, Athearn never bothered to produce the model. I could be wrong but I've seen most merger scheme models and an SW1500 wasn't one of them.
Jerome, I don't think those models were ever produced. There was never a real SW1500 with that number and I've never seen the merger scheme applied to any switchers. I suspect that, since the merger scheme lasted such a short period of time, Athearn never bothered to produce the model. I could be wrong but I've seen most merger scheme models and an SW1500 wasn't one of them.
Jim, it was made. One sold on evil-bay back in March of this year, I missed it I guess.
Here's what I copied from that sale.
all recieved ok as described good ebayer Top+++++ Buyer:
9849andrc ( 75 [Feedback score is 50 to 99] )
20-Mar-08 13:27
ATHEARN KIT # 3941 - SW 1500 PWR SWITCHER - U. P. (#310016958156) US $32.97 View Item
Jerome, it must be a real collectors item. I've sure never seen one and it's a pure fantasy model since neither the SP or SF had an SW1500 with that number. It would be interesting to see a picture of how Athearn did the scheme.
Alco, the road number on the Athearn model was 1783. You're looking at the Athearn kit number. However, it's still a fantasy engine. All the UP SW1500's were numbered in the 1000-1233 series. The only UP engine that even had the 1783 number was an ex-MKT GP38AC.
Alcomotive, #3941 is the Athearn kit number for the powered unit. #3961 is the dummy kit number. The actual unit number on this model is 1783. But I've searched for that with little to no luck either. 1183 came up as an SSW SW1500. SO I have no idea where Athearn came up with this numbering. I know the model is out there, just gotta find one. LOL
Finally found one of these buggers!! It is an Athearn SW1500 (SP style shell) with a UP paint job. The correct number on it is 1183, not 1783 as I stated before. The SP style SW1500 has the number boards on the front of the cab. It also has 5 lights forward and 5 lights rear. I'll post good pictures once I start in on it.
I got one too! Already have DCC in it with light weathering...I masked the "We Will Deliver" font though...then I rusted the wheels and weathered the trucks. View attachment 11271
Glad you finally found one, Jerome. At least they got the road number right. I wonder if any of the ex-SP units that got repainted ever retained the full SP light cluster? All the ones I've seen had the Mars light and big hole red light blanked over or had the whole cluster removed and replaced with a standard two bulb sealed beam unit.
Jim, I have not seen a repaint that didn't lose all those lights either. But I'll keep looking for a picture, might be able to find one. If not, I'll blank out the lights per the prototypes. Most of the ex-SP units are still in SP paint. So I might have to do a couple of units.
