HO Scale AAR Type A Roller Bearing Trucks for Proto2000 SW Switchers (Set of 4) Inspiration and Prototype Research
Friction Out, Rollers In: Breathing New Life Into the FEC SW1200
Table of Contents
Watch Along: Friction Out, Rollers In
Restoring the FEC SW1200: My Roller Bearing Conversion Process
If you’ve ever wanted to give an older locomotive a more modern, rebuilt look, this project is a great place to start. In this post (and the video above), I’ll walk you through replacing the friction-bearing side frames on a Proto 2000 SW1200 Florida East Coast switcher. It’s a simple, satisfying update that instantly makes the locomotive look like it’s fresh from a major overhaul. Whether you’re new to model railroading or just looking to experiment with visual upgrades, you’ll see how approachable this transformation can be.
Friction Out. Rollers In.
Sometimes, the smallest upgrades make the biggest difference in how a locomotive looks on your layout. This time around, I tackled something that’s been on my list for a while: replacing the friction-bearing side frames on my Proto 2000 SW1200 with roller-bearing trucks to give it a more contemporary, rebuilt appearance.
If you’re not familiar with this model, it’s a solid switcher that sees a lot of use on my Florida East Coast-themed layout. The original friction-bearing side frames were fine mechanically, but they dated the engine to an earlier era. I wanted it to look like it had seen a recent rebuild—something more in line with how prototype railroads keep their fleets looking up to date.
The process itself is pretty straightforward, but like any project, there are a few little things that can trip you up. One of those was a tiny contact wire that decided it didn’t feel like cooperating. If you watch the video, you’ll see how it slipped loose from its post inside the truck gearbox. That’s where having a variety of tweezers pays off—sometimes the right tool is the difference between a quick fix and an hour of frustration.
Once I got the wire sorted out, it was just a matter of fitting everything back together and giving the truck frames a final once-over. With all four side frames swapped out, the transformation was clear right away. The new roller-bearing look instantly updated the locomotive’s appearance, making it feel like a more modern piece of equipment ready for work on today’s rails.
For anyone thinking about doing this sort of visual upgrade, my biggest advice is: don’t overthink it. Take your time, keep your tools handy, and be patient with the little surprises that pop up. That’s half the fun of model building—figuring things out and learning as you go.
If you have questions or want to share your own experience updating locomotive details, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment or connect with me—let’s keep the conversation going.
Happy modeling, and I’ll see you in the next project.
Here are the Side Trucks I used – Available in my train shop.
HO Scale AAR Type A Roller Bearing Trucks for Proto2000 SW Switchers (Set of 4)
