HO SW1000 Locomotive with DCC & Sound, BNSF #3617 Overview
In the late 1960's CB&Q purchased a small group of EMD's new SW1000 switching locomotive that were incorporated into the new Burlington Northern roster after the 1970 merger. BN then purchased their own SW1000's shortly thereafter. In 1996 that fleet was then absorbed into the BNSF roster while retaining the BN green and white paint scheme. That BN heritage is clearly demonstrated in this Primed For Grime release. Many of the SW1000's retained their green paint up until retirement from the BNSF roster.
An EMD SW1000 is a 4 axle diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between June 1966 and October 1972. Power was provided by an EMD 645E 8-cylinder engine which generated 1,000 horsepower. This locomotive was built on the same common frame as the EMD SW1500, giving it an overall length of 44 feet 8 inches. Over one-third of SW1000 production went to the Burlington Northern Railroad.
The SW1000 was taller than previous EMD switchers, which posed a problem for industrial customers: at many facilities, tight clearances existed, and the SW1000 exceeded them. As a result, most production went to railroads, not industries.
114 EMD SW1000 units were built for railroads and industrial operations in the United States.
Currently 2 EMD SW1000 units are owned and operated by VIA Rail Canada in the Montreal Maintenance Centre.