HO SW1500 Locomotive NOPB #1503 (ATH-2526)

HO-scale Athearn EMD SW1500 Switcher locomotive in the NOPB livery captures the look and purpose of a 1,500-horsepower diesel switcher used in industrial yards and light freight service. Built by EMD between 1966 and 1974, the SW1500 rides on a four-axle frame with dual exhaust stacks and a bulkier carbody, mirroring the prototype’s yard-friendly profile. Legendary Liveries offer popular paint schemes to expand a switcher roster with historically inspired options.

Detail and performance come together with lit ground lights, LED lighting for long life and reliable operation, fine-scale handrails, see-through radiator grilles and cab windows, a detailed cab interior, MU stands, and front and rear trainline hoses with silver glad hands. McHenry scale knuckle couplers (Kadee-compatible), RP25 wheel contours, and a robust 5-pole skew-wound motor with flywheels deliver smooth, quiet operation and reliable current collection across most layouts. DCC-ready Quick Plug technology with a 21-pin NEM connector supports easy conversion, and sound-equipped variants add onboard DCC sound with SoundTraxx Econami, a single speaker, and NMRA-compatible function control in DCC; CV changes and the CV chart are included to tailor speed, lighting, and sounds, while the model remains operable on DC as well. Minimum turning radius is 18 inches, making it suitable for compact layouts too.