I was wondering how difficult it is to convert the Atlas SW9 from 3rail AC to 2rail DC. I assume the motors are DC. I noticed that geared wheel and axel sets are available from Northwest Short Line. Any thoughts?
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Atlas might also have the wheels and axle set. Either way it should not be difficult. You'll have to make some wheel wipers to wire in the motor and delete the center roller pickup.
AtlasO single motor drive SW's/NW's and AEM7's have a power truck setup that makes replacing the geared axle's very easy - a drop in task. (I replaced the original AtlasO 2 rail wheel/axle sets with ones from NWSL as they had a better looking profile when viewed from the side (thinner "tire")). Fabricating an 8 wheel pickup arrangement will take a little more time but shouldn't be much of a challenge - AtlasO may even have the parts in stock. While AtlasO doesn't have a SW parts diagrams on their web site, this link to the 2 rail AEM7 drawing shows the parts used for 2 rail electrical pickup. http://www.atlaso.com/partspdfs/oAEM72ra.pdf on that locomotive. They look the same as the 4 pickups on my SW9. Recommend you talk with Bill Serratelli or Steve Horvath at AtlasO tech support and ask about the parts needed for the conversion - I've found them to be very helpful.
Ed Rappe
Need to note that the Three rail models have the coupler attached to the trucks and the pilot has been opened to accommodate the coupler swing. Two rail pilots, (and couplers) are different. You may want to change the pilots. There is also a difference between Atlas MU pilots/hand rails, and non-MU, pilots. Atlas is good with parts if they have them. SW's are one of the few models they don't have an exploded parts diagram available on line, as Ed noted.
Thanks to everyone who responded. Good old NWSL, I am ordering the wheel sets from them today. I could even get wild and crazy and go Proto48...
