Alco PA fixed pilots

Well,

I'll be......

Nickel Plate LEGACY PA AA #184-185 (lionel.com)

• AA PAIRS:
• Standard Legacy diesel features above
• Mars Lights as appropriate
• Front ElectroCoupler, non-operating rear coupler
• Sounds and crew figures in lead A unit only
• Optional fixed front pilot w/ dummy coupler

Atlas did it with their FM Erie-Builts years ago. I was hoping that this option would spread, but no such luck.

I'll have to look at mine again as I put the coupler doors on the leading unit, but I think they featured a working coupler as well.

Reading the description. There is mention of a fixed pilot and dummy coupler. Until someone actually has one in there hands. Not really sure what your getting for a coupler. No mention of a Kadee mount or the word scale coupler. Still it’s a start if your in the camp of fixing pilots. Even if it’s just for cosmetics in the lead A unit.

Now if they could offer 2 rail like MTH.

@harley rider posted:

Now if they could offer 2 rail like MTH.

Now you're talking. It has been long established that TMCC will work in a 2-rail context. Atlas even offered them for a while.

If Lionel would offer 2/3 rail like MTH it would be a good seller for them.

My Alco PAs came with fixed pilots. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

My Alco PAs came with fixed pilots. 

Are your PAs Lionel?

@harley rider posted:

Are your PAs Lionel?

They are not.  These are Sunset / 3rd Rail from 2017.  The ATSF one is 3-rail with the factory supplied scale pilot and Kadee coupler on the front and the claw on the rear.  The PRR one is 2-rail. 

However, I don't want to take anything away from the Lionel models.  They are very nice overall. 

You're darn right that this option should spread!  Who the heck switches with the front end of a passenger carbody unit!?

Going all the way back to 1948, Lionel should have offered its F3s with a full, integrated pilot and dummy coupler (um, like ALL of their steam locos!)  It's 3-rail O gauge.  Given space constraints, it's hard NOT to build a layout with reversing loop(s).  So if you're running freight, you can switch those pesky facing-point sidings on your return run back to the yard

What's more, since the beginning 3R cab units have been sold as A-A, A-B, or A-B-A sets.  The trailing unit should logically be the one disfigured by a swinging pilot and lobster claw because in the trailing position no one can really see it!  Even Atlas, which sold its A-units separately, sold non-powered A-units which presumably would have been the trailing with one operating electrocoupler.

Jonathan you can thank me because I harangued Scott Mann on the telephone about sending me a 2-rail pilot when I bought my first-series Reading FP7.  I guess he didn't want another phone call, so he made the fixed pilot standard, and graciously includes a gaping 3-rail one in the box.

  "Given space constraints, it's hard NOT to build a layout with reversing loop(s). "  from TedS

Right on.  Or maybe build a Wye.  My new 027 Wye is smaller than any of my four reversing loops that are part of the oval and figure 8 and the dogbone.  The turntable will turn around a diesel too.  My few FAs are all missing the fragile bottom piece.

Charlie