I just skimmed through

your blog to see if you got this loco running.  I'll read it all as time permits.  I decided against buying a Stanton Drive because I was concerned about the gear ratio.  I have never seen one in person and was wondering if you are happy with the slow speed switching capabilities.  They sure are a great unit from an engineering standpoint.  Thanks for sharing this conversion with us.  I'm sure others will follow your lead.

You Can See A Video

comparing the before and after in a post immediately before the longer dissertation.

https://smallurbanrails.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/athearn-sw1500-battery-conversion-before-and-after/

I'm very happy with the slow running on battery power vs. wired DC in my Stanton drive, but I don't have a whole lot to compare to other than older DC setups. I haven't tried a Bull Ant, but have heard good things about their high gear ratio.

Gear Ratios in "powered truck" mechs

Dear Michael, Rich,

Having had the opportunity to A/B the 14:1 Stanton and stock 14:1 Black Beetles VS the 27:1 Black Beetles under extreme show-layout conditions for over 7 years now,
IMHO it's the 27:1 BBs in the slow-speed crawling stakes by a long margin...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to keep the switching speed under 10smph,
Prof Klyzlr

  "I decided against buying a

It's been a log time since I built an Athearn blue box loco but IIRC they are not geared much if any slower than that 14:1 ratio mentioned for the Stanton. I'd be more concerned about the reliability and repairability  of the Stanton drive with those small motors and just come to market design. Parts might be hard to find for them?. The old Athearns run great hard wired with decent wheel sets( and run even better with a can motor conversion) and  spare parts are  all over the place so keeping one running is a piece of cake.  I view the concept of making the drive smaller to allow for bigger sound components as the tail wagging the dog, it makes more sense to me to make the drive larger for power/reliability and then make the sound fit into whatever space remains? ......DaveB

Rugged

Dear Dave,

As noted above, the 27:1 Black Beetles appear to be standing up fine to regular show work (First-time, everytime performance demanded), with up to an actual 2 kilo of training On30 log load on 4% grades...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

"As noted above, the

  Don't they have a bigger motor in the center instead of the tiny motors in the trucks? .....DaveB 

Black Beetles are "self contained" trucks...

Dear Dave,

No, Black Beetles are completely self-contained power trucks, just like the original SPUD/PDT and contemporary Stanton

http://steameramodels.com/bbeetle.htm

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

"Black Beetles are completely

    I must have them confused with some other insect then, I recall looking at one for a TT scale loco that had a normal motor in between two trucks, it came in various configurations and gauges....DaveB 

thinking of Bullant Drives?

My Motivation Was

first to do a radio control conversion. While I was at it, I wanted to try out a Stanton drive.

Sound is not on my radar at the moment.

Next time I want to replace a drive, I'll try something like a Black Beetle. Then I can compare.

Just aiming to improve ....

rich