Can anyone provide a list of parts to convert a 3 Rail Atlas-O SW to 2 Rail?

Thank you in advance.

Witch Switcher are you asking about, Steam or diesel?

SW-8 Diesel switcher.

I've done this conversion. Get a set of 2R NWSL replacement wheelsets for the SW. I choose the .145 tread. Remove the center rollers and rewire the power pickup. Replace the end pilots with Atlas' 2 rail version, you can put the hoses and coupler bars from the 3R version onto the 2R ends. The toughest part is painting the ends to match as they are only available as undecorated gray plastic. Add the coupler of your choice... Kadee fits perfectly

If it's a common paint job it's probably easier to sell it on ebay and buy a 2 rail version?

I agree with Daves suggestion. Don't re-invent the wheel if you don't have to.

Also, the new Gold/Silver SW's will be available in a few months. You might want to wait until then if the road you want is in the 1st batch being shipped. It also gives you the DCC/DC option if your are so inclined.


Butch

Actually when I did mine, I didn't replace the pilots, but just filled in the spaces with styrene. These areas were usually heavily weathered on the prototype, so color matching before the weathering treatment wasn't too critical.

You will also need the brass pickup springs that contact the inside of the wheels and the plastic brackets to hold them. The screws to attach them were included if my memory is correct. This gives you 8 wheel power pickup.

I added a Lenz 1835 decoder. I installed a brass bar over the motor using the screw holes that held the original circuit board as mounting points. I attached the decoder to this bar with double stick tape.

The diesel I used was an old one without TMCC, so it had very little resale value on the 3 rail marketplace. Including decoder, the price of the conversion was about $80. I recouped about $20 selling the 3-rail pickups, couplers, and wheelsets on the bay.

Jim