Broadway Limited - 9353 - Locomotive, Diesel, EMD SW7 - Union Railroad - 705

Specific Item Information: Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC

Model Information: BLI released its NW2 and SW7 concurrently in 2019, using the same chassis, as the two engines are largely similar.
The main spotting differences are:
- Windows: Rounded on NW2, Rectangle on SW7.
- Forward radiator grid: Small on NW2, Large on SW7.

• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
• Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight (and MARS Light Where Applicable)
• Die Cast Body with Die Cast chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
• (2) Operating MicroTrains #1015 or Compatible Couplers
• Separately Applied Hand Rails, Grab Irons, Rear Diaphragm, and Horn(s)
• Will Operate on Code 55, 70, and 80 Rail
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 9.75 inches

DCC Information:

• NEW Paragon3 Sound & Operation System FEATURING ROLLING THUNDER (TM) with Authentic Sounds and Prototypical Operation in both DC and DCC environments
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Operates in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• 16-bit Sample Rate for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Passenger Station Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Freight Yard related radio chatter - Controlled with Function Key
• Lumber Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Farm related radio chatter - Controlled with Function Key
• Crew Radio Communications - Controlled with Function Key
• Maintenance Yard related radio chatter - Controlled with Function Key
• Demo Mode for display and demonstrations
• Simple Programming with Integral DCC Decoder
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for most effects

Prototype History: The EMD SW7 is a 1,200 hp (895 kW), B-B switcher locomotive manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois. The SW7 was manufactured from October 1949 to January 1951 and 489 were produced. The 1,200 hp (895 kW) was achieved by using a 12-cylinder, model 567A engine.
EMD also offered a cow-calf version of the SW7 known as the TR4; 15 TR4 cow-calf paired sets were produced.

The EMD SW7 debuted in October, 1949 and looked to follow the success of the previous SW1 and NW2 models, which combined, sold more than 1,800 units between 1939 and 1953. The SW7 used the traditional EMC/EMD carbody design, that was tapered near the cab and featured EMD's classic conical exhaust stacks above the hood. Length remained the same at just over 44-feet and it continued to use GM's model D37 traction motors. The biggest difference, to date, with the EMD SW7 over any previous model was simply horsepower. Also, by the time the SW7 was developed the "SW" designation EMC originally used, which stood for six-hundred horsepower, welded frame had long since been dropped with EMD simply having refer to "switcher."

From Wikipedia
Read more on American-Rails.com.

Road Name History: The URR opened in 1896 to serve the steel producing Monongahela River Valley region south of Pittsburgh. In 1937, it merged two other local lines. The Union is just 31 miles long but very busy. In 1951, they hauled 74 million net tons making URR the busiest railroad per mile of track in the world. The line is owned by U.S. Steel (and its successor) and at its peak served eight mills plus a number of other customers. Until recently, the tangle of Union lines crossed the Monongahela River four times. Today, Union serves USS Edgar Thomson Works which includes blast furnaces, basic oxygen process producing molten steel and a continuous caster; USS Irvin Works which includes rolling mills and finishing lines and USS Clairton Works which converts coal into coke.

The Union is the smallest railroad to have a steam locomotive wheel arrangement named for them. The uber-switcher 0-10-2 is called the Union type.

The Union diesel fleet has always been dominated by switchers, originally from EMD, Alco, and Baldwin but in later years from EMD exclusively. Road power over the years has included RS-2’s, DRS-6-6-1500’s, AS616’s, and in later years SD9’s and SD38-2’s. The number of diesels on the active roster seems to have peaked around 126 units – astounding for a 31 mile line.

Beginning in 1959 the dozen Baldwin DRS-6-6-1500’s were rebuilt with EMD prime movers and long hoods. The short hoods were also lowered. The crews called these rebuilts “buffalos.” These units retained their long hood as the front despite the nose chop and could be found leading in either direction.

Today there are 33 diesels on the active roster, all EMD SW1500’s and MP15DC’s. You may notice that all-switcher consists always have the cabs facing outward (since virtually all end cab switchers have the hood end as the front, the URR consists are nose to nose.) This method is gospel on URR and has gained favor on other lines due to improved sight lines when shoving with no loss when running with the cab end leading.

The Union connects with CSX, Norfolk Southern, CN (formerly Bessemer & Lake Erie), and Wheeling & Lake Erie at seven points along the route. Today's collection of photos takes us from the delivery of the 0-10-2's in 1936 to 1999. We will have the rest of URR collection with tomorrow's RRotD. It's worth noting that URR was known for having an aggressive security force during the transition era which explains the dearth of photos from that time.

Brand/Importer Information: Broadway Limited Imports, LLC defines itself as "the world's foremost producer of top-quality HO and N scale model trains".

The company was founded in 2002 and introduced its first N scale model in 2009.

Broadway Limited Imports is composed of a team of 15 fun loving individuals who are dedicated to creating the most realistic model railroading experience possible, with the best customer service possible.

The Broadway Limited Imports headquarters is located in Ormond Beach, Florida at 9 East Tower Circle. It's just under an hour's drive from Disney World.

About Broadway Limited Imports.