3rd Rail FA Project

Scott

I would describe it as green and gold with a black stripe. The early CN locomotives were FPA-2; road numbers 6707, 6708, 6709, 6710, 6711. Later models were FPA-4.

CN green/gold/black

I already have the MTH set, but if you produce this paint scheme, I could be in for 1 or 2.

@Oman posted:

Scott

I would describe it as green and gold with a black stripe. The early CN locomotives were FPA-2; road numbers 6707, 6708, 6710, 6711. Later models were FPA-4.

CN FPA green/gold/black

I already have the MTH set, but if you produce this paint scheme, I could be in for 1 or 2.

CN had eight FA-1's built in 1950: numbered 9400-9407.  The first one, built by Montreal Locomotive Works is preserved at ExpoRail in Quebec.

CN 9400

Rusty

The photo of CN 9400 is quite attractive; I think it is the first picture of an FA in yellow stripe that I've seen. The FAs in my books are in the gold with black stripe scheme.

CN FA-1, FB-2, FA2 in 1961.  All in yellow stripe.  Notice the yellow stripes are narrower on the FA/FB-2 than the FA-1.

A very sad CN 9400 before restoration in 2001, also in yellow stripe, or rather what's left of it.

Rusty

Great to hear the FA project firm up in the production schedule. Hope when closer to time to cut off reservations, we can get feedback if any roads don’t make a minimum number cut. There are more roads offered here than I can afford at once. I can Easily slide a reservation if necessary !!!  Cheers !!!

Has there been any interest in the Wabash and nearly identical Ann Arbor Blue/White schemes???

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the FPA on a longer frame than the standard FA like the FP7/FP7?

If not, the Grand Canyon Railway painted the FPA4s in two different paint schemes.  One was CN inspired dark green and the other was the current silver and gold paint scheme.

Caught these in 2017 outside of Williams, AZ awaiting the development of a railway museum in N. AZ that may or may not happen.

The FA 2 is longer than the FA 1 by a couple of feet. I believe the FPA 2 was the same length as the FA 2, a little over 53 feet.

As I know it, the difference between an FA-2 and an FPA-2 was the addition of steam generation equipment.

@HiramO posted:

The FA 2 is longer than the FA 1 by a couple of feet. I believe the FPA 2 was the same length as the FA 2, a little over 53 feet.

@Oman posted:

As I know it, the difference between an FA-2 and an FPA-2 was the addition of steam generation equipment.

The FA-2 was longer than the FA-1 to accommodate a steam generator.  When equipped with the steam generator, they were FPA-2s.  I don't know much about the FA-2s since my interest is in the FA-1.  Are there any visual differences between the FA-2 and FPA-2?

@CAPPilot posted:

The FA-2 was longer than the FA-1 to accommodate a steam generator.  When equipped with the steam generator, they were FPA-2s.  I don't know much about the FA-2s since my interest is in the FA-1.  Are there any visual differences between the FA-2 and FPA-2?

Other than the steam generator vents on the roof hatch behind the cooling fan and larger tanks between the trucks, no major differences.

Rusty

I was looking for this thread earlier but couldn’t find it and ended up emailing Scott...

On the 3rd Rail page for the FAs the PRR scheme looks to be a five stripe scheme which I’ve never seen a picture of an FA wearing.  The PAs did, but usually in Tuscan not DGLE.

Also, Western Maryland is mentioned but no picture is shown.  Will it be circus or speed lettering?  I can’t find any pictures of them in fireball garb, but if that was prototypical I’d be down for that.  Otherwise I’d prefer speed lettering.

Zebra stripes anyone??

An A and B unit would go nice with that brass CN super dome I bought last year from GGD

Not that I was planning on ordering one of these, but I'm surprised no one tried to get any Long Island versions. Even as cab cars.

@Rusty Traque posted:

CN FA-1, FB-2, FA2 in 1961.  All in yellow stripe.  Notice the yellow stripes are narrower on the FA/FB-2 than the FA-1.

A very sad CN 9400 before restoration in 2001, also in yellow stripe, or rather what's left of it.

Rusty

Very nice picture. Was the narrow stripe version the original paint scheme then?

@rplst8 posted:

On the 3rd Rail page for the FAs the PRR scheme looks to be a five stripe scheme which I’ve never seen a picture of an FA wearing.

Since 3rd Rail is not making a PRR FA-1 I did not check the pictures.  You are correct, there were no 5-stripe FAs.  Hopefully that was an oversight by 3rd Rail and they will make the correct 1-strip freight scheme.