I have a 8111 switch engine that I bought 30-odd years ago. It runs intermittently and sluggish. I have the opportunity to get a 18927 engine that runs great. Can I exchange the cabs easily? Thanks.
Original Post
Though I've not personally tried it, looking at the parts listings, it appears that it will work. The Navy NW-2 has the screw hole in the front and the upside down "L" on the rear of the frame for the cab to insert through. Same frame set up as your DT&I unit.
The one difference between the NW-2 shells of that period are either molded in handrail along the long side of the hood, or the separate wire handrail held with cotter pins. That and the hole in the top of the hood for the e-unit lever to go through: The shells with circuit board reverse units don't have that level slot.
That Navy unit has a very nice looking frame with the painted white diagonal stipes along the sides: A nice touch for a starter set unit.
But are you are that Navy unit has one single DC can motor truck? It may not have the pulling power of the DT&I unit (in the case of yours, maybe with a motor tune up, like new brushes?). You may want to add a little more weight to the inside of the shell on the Navy frame. Be forewarned, Lionel advises pulling no more that 8-10 train cars on level track with the single motored units of that type.
