Don't know how many have an interest, but I for one would like to see one of the manufacturers produce a
finely detailed version of the Alco FA 1 or 2. My preferred road name would be the Lehigh and New England. But that aside, It's time Atlas, MTH, Lionel or Third Rail came up with a retooled version. Preferably with a fixed pilot or at least an easily interchangeable fixed pilot There are plenty of models of GM engines, how about the Alco freight loco?
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Williams produced a Lehigh and New England FA-1. A nice unit with lots of detail (grab irons, screens, horns, etc.).
We have both a Williams ABA PRR set and an AA Weaver Western Maryland set and both are quite nice. Both are supposed to be fairly accurate models albeit less detailed than could be. Those parts can be added I'm sure. I hope to add the PRR antennas on the A units someday.
There is no 'hump' on the engine - just the camera angle! (No, this in NOT a postwar FA2)
I've seen both the Williams and the Weaver, but it's time for a new, advanced tooling version. MTH made one about 10 years ago, it's time for a new, upgraded Premier with 2/3 option, scale wheels and fixed pilot.
The Williams FA1's meet my requirements and they are economical to boot.
Your antennas look great Charlie!
You are probably right Dick - its been awhile for these.
I'm hoping for some new Legacy E series EMD units - especially the first Santa Fe Warbonnet streamliner (E1?)
Here is the WbB unit.....very nice see through wire screens on sides, wire grab irons great paint. For the $150 I paid for a AB set don't see anyone else near that mark. Click on the pic and look att he marker lights, builders plates etc......
I purchased four Williams Engines the Rock Island BL2, FA-1AA, L&N FA-1AA and L&N GP9 Which I have not got yet all the others have been updated with led lighting, Cab figures and MRC sound only decoder and wired them in series for better low speed operation and very well pleased with them the detail with see thru grills and ad on grab irons really look cool you can see mine on YOU TUBE @ Nick Shultz model trains they are the best bang for the buck.
So, within this discussion, what's the opinion or early info on the Lionel FA-2's in the latest Signature catalog....the Ann Arbor, Beano, Erie, Katy sets on page 41???
Poopy?
Possible hit?
We (LHS) are definitely looking forward to the Annie sets...long time in coming....expected Weaver would've done them some time ago.
I'd agree, we could use a better FA...either 1 or 2. The MTH Premier has major nose issues, and the Williams, while better, could use a tweak is this area too. I'll not even mention the trucks! NH fans, and some others deserve a little better chooch.
Weaver has FA-2 offering on Page 20 of their 2013 Fall Catalog. Both A and B units.
NYC, Pennsy, New Haven, Santa Fe, Union Pacific, B&O.
The FA-2 is 2 feet longer than the FA-1to provide room for a steam generator behind the radiator shutters.
Lionel produces FA-2s a few years ago in Great Northern and Canadian National. To my surprise the CN units were actually FPA-4s. FPA-4s have 251 prime movers rather than the 244. The FPA-4 spotting feature is 3 rows of louvers in the carbody just below the radiator shutters.
An other surprising Lionel detail.
While all GP-30s had dynamic brake blisters, not all had dynamic brakes. Lionel's NYC GP-30 was without the dynamic brake fan and had no air vents in the blister.
I'd definitely buy a good FA-1 in Green Bay and Western, preferably an MTH Premier version with Proto-3. GBW ran all Alco diesels and had a very attractive paint scheme. And while we are wishing, how about a Green Bay & Western caboose to go with it? Both Atlas and MTH have made GBW diesels, but neither has done a caboose.
I kinda like the FAs too, but what the original poster is asking for is something like "Car Works" imported. The Weaver model is surely the definitive plastic version, and it did come in the northeast color schemes. Mine are all cast brass; nowhere near the crispness or detail of the Weaver.
I'd definitely buy a good FA-1 in Green Bay and Western, preferably an MTH Premier version with Proto-3. GBW ran all Alco diesels and had a very attractive paint scheme. And while we are wishing, how about a Green Bay & Western caboose to go with it? Both Atlas and MTH have made GBW diesels, but neither has done a caboose.
FYI, Sommerfelds Trains in Butler, WI has a WBB FA for sale that was custom painted into the GBW paint scheme. It was a very nice paint job done on it.
I'd definitely buy a good FA-1 in Green Bay and Western, preferably an MTH Premier version with Proto-3. GBW ran all Alco diesels and had a very attractive paint scheme. And while we are wishing, how about a Green Bay & Western caboose to go with it? Both Atlas and MTH have made GBW diesels, but neither has done a caboose.
FYI, Sommerfelds Trains in Butler, WI has a WBB FA for sale that was custom painted into the GBW paint scheme. It was a very nice paint job done on it.
They have had it for a long time (at least 3 years), so I think they would take a reasonable offer for it - however, it is not powered. WBB makes powering kits for their dummy engines and it is a easy install. You could have them to do the work if you wanted. I guess it would depend on what the total cost would end being. It does look nice though.
They have had it for a long time (at least 3 years), so I think they would take a reasonable offer for it - however, it is not powered. WBB makes powering kits for their dummy engines and it is a easy install. You could have them to do the work if you wanted. I guess it would depend on what the total cost would end being. It does look nice though.
Weaver has FA-2 offering on Page 20 of their 2013 Fall Catalog. Both A and B units.
NYC, Pennsy, New Haven, Santa Fe, Union Pacific, B&O.
I don't think Weaver FA's are available anymore, the only diesels listed on their website are the RS-11's.
Rusty
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