HO ATH SW1500 Locomotive Legendary Liveries PE #2447 (ATH-2528)

Introducing the HO-scale Athearn SW1500 switcher locomotive in Legendary Liveries, a ready-to-run model that recreates a 1,500-horsepower EMD SW1500 switcher used on light freight and industrial runs from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. It features a bulkier carbody, twin exhaust stacks, see-through radiator grilles and cab windows, and a highly detailed injection-molded shell. The Legendary Liveries edition offers iconic paint schemes for collectors and protofreelance operators alike, and the model is designed to run on standard hobby layouts with an 18-inch minimum radius.

Beyond its looks, this SW1500 is engineered for smooth, dependable operation. Highlights include operating ground lights, LED lighting, and front and rear trainline hoses with silver glad hands; fine-scale handrails; a detailed cab interior; and separately applied wire grab irons. McHenry scale knuckle couplers (Kadee compatible), all-wheel drive with precision gears, and all-wheel electrical pickup help ensure steady, quiet running. The design is DCC-ready with Quick Plug technology and a 21-pin NEM connector, and the model uses an improved 5-pole skew-wound can motor and RP25 wheels for reliable performance on most tracks. The injection-molded body and see-through grille details contribute to a durable, lifelike finish. The minimum radius remains 18 inches, making it suitable for many layouts. Some sound-equipped variants add an onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Econami sound, a single cube speaker, and NMRA-compatible features that can be tuned via CVs.