Lionel Post War Santa Fe F3/7?:

I have seen pics of Santa Fe passenger trains

running 3, 4 and 5 locomotives pulling upwards

of 20 passenger cars.

Thank you Popi,

I appreciate your reply.

Years ago, I had bought Lionel's 'O' Gauge, 'A'-'B'-'A' diesel units.

Recently, I had read info. accompayning a color photograph with a set of four Santa Fe units: 'A'-'B'-'B'-'A,' so online I found an original, in good condition Lionel 'B' unit, to have a four set.

Then, to cause more confusion, I find other photos. of varying numbers of units.

That's why I'm asking for help.

Take care,

Ralph

There could be almost any combination from A-B-B, A-B-B-A, A-B-B-B-A, A-A-B-B-A, etc., depending on the number of cars and the weather.

The one thing for certain on the Santa Fe name trains is there would be at least 2 B-units for the steam generator capacity, as only the B's had them.

Generally, for typical model railroad purposes with Post War F3's, an A-B-A combo is good, an A-B-B-A is better.

Rusty

Thank you Rusty,

I did not know that the 'B' units had the steam generators and I did not take into consideration the number consist of a train and weather conditions, of prototype railroading.

These, Lionel Post War 'O' Gauge Diesels have weight, to them, along with the passenger cars and only one 'A' unit has twin motors and still hauls this long train and heavy train, so be it, at a slower pace.

I believe, some of the newer Lionel 'B' units, of today, have a motor, but synchronizing   all motors is a very important issue!

Take care,

Ralph 

before I switched over to O gauge.

I put together an HO Santa Fe

passenger set with 22 IHC

passenger cars and

6 locomotives.

ABBBBA. it tokk up 6 moduels

on the club layout and dwarfd

any of the other members passenger sets

where the had 1-2 locos and 6-8 cars.

it was impressive driving it

outta the yard