Pennsylvania 0-4-0 A-5 Switcher

Weaver also did the A5.  A brass model.

 

The K-Line one comes up frequently on the auction sites. Besides eBay check out Dash and Choo Choo auctions. One is about to sell in two minutes for 106 bucks.

 

Pete

Thanks, Mike!

Will definitely look into the Weaver! A real beauty!

Cheer!

Bill

Thanks, Norton!

Will definitely check those auctions - I really appreciate the info! Do you like the K-Line?

Thanks, again!

Bill

I have the K-Line A5 with TMCC, it's a very nice little loco.  I added cruise to mine, and it's going to get fan driven smoke at some point as well.

 

I like it a lot. Mine came with TMCC and I upgraded it to cruise. I think the Lionel one is the same but without TMCC. Consider that when shopping around. The Weaver is probably the most accurate though. Not sure if it came with TMCC or not.

 

Pete

Thanks, Pete! I would definitely like the TMCC - not sure what "cruise" is?

I'll have fun shopping!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks, gunrunnerjohn!

The k-Line is looking good - I appreciate your expertise!

Cheers,

Bill

Cruise control is an enhancement that keeps the locomotive running at a constant set speed around curves, up and down grades, and regardless of load. Think of the cruise control in your car.

 

Don't leave home without it!

http://www.nicholassmithtoys.c...R-A5-SCALE-SWITCHER/

 

This is is the K-Line by Lionel version that I own.  Great little engine.  

I have a couple of the Lionel 0-4-0s that look like this and they are good basic locos and worth what I paid for them, but frankly they and the K-Line one I had earlier (stopped working, took it apart of parts) were just not among my favorites.

 

As Gunrunnerjohn says, cruise is a good feature and none of mine, not the now-gone K-Line, not the two Lionel, have it.   I would love Lionel to do a Legacy version of some of their smaller locos including this one. 

 

EDIT: or, this is a thought, LC+ instead

Thanks for the explanation, gunnerjohn! Seems like a great feature to have.

Will be an option I'll look for!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks, Miken!

Looks like a winner , and liked the explanation of the Pennsy version.

Have a great night, and Cheers!

Bill

Thanks, Lee.

Would you prefer the Weaver?

I appreciate the info.

Cheers,

Bill

Hi Bill,

I have a Weaver PRR A5 in excellent condition I was thinking of selling. It's a beautiful model, I just haven't been running it lately. I would take $295 plus shipping if interested.

Gerry

 

I believe the K-Line one is actually slightly too large to be true O Scale (it's something like 1:43.)  The Weaver and MTH versions are true scale models.  Of course they all run on O gauge track, and thanks to their small size, will negotiate the sharpest curves with ease.  The MTH is more expensive, but has the most features.  Both the Weaver and MTH are very detailed.

 

Pennsy was one of the last RRs to build and use 0-4-0s.  Part of the reason lies in their heavy-duty track.  A Pennsy 0-4-0 could pull as much as some 0-6-0s on other railroads because of the Pennsy's higher axle loadings.

Agree on the Weaver.  A beautiful model - I would jump on one like the above with 2-rail wheels.

 

I have three(!) Williams B6sb switchers, and regard them quite highly.  If Williams made an A5, it would probably be just as good.

Good Morning, Gerry!

Thanks so much for the offer! I know nothing about Weaver, but know they are highly regarded.

Could you send me an email? If you could give the model #, I'll look for photos online (or if you have any?) Does it have sound?

I am interested.

Thanks and Cheers!

Bill

bbhb17@comcast.net

Thanks, Ted! I really appreciate your info!

The PRR A-5  0-4-0 sounds like the "little engine that could"!

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks, bob2!

Seems like the Weaver is a Class act!

Cheers,

Bill

For Jersey running, I think you'd like the PRSL. I have the Premier version from about 10 years ago. A great running engine albeit weak sound volume, typical of MTH though.

A couple of points about my Lionel versions.

 

1) I really like them, here is a link to a thread I postedhere about 2 1/2 years ago about mine.  I have no idea why the photo no longer shows, it did 2.5 years ago . . .

https://ogrforum.com/t...-with-lionel-shifter

 

2) It helps a lot, though, to make your own tether from the loco to tender to share power pickup on tender and loco (mine has the IR coupling which does not share power feed).  With so few wheels and pickups on the loco, "sharing" of power draw between loco and tender makes for much smoother running, at least for me, particularly in conventional mode (all it runs in) at very low power settings (i.e., slow speeds). 

 

3) This is a splendid loco for small layouts/tight radius loops, one of only two scale steamers I have that meet the requirement for my BEEPWorld loop (nothing longer than a BEEP), but I really wish it had cruise (the other loco,  Premier 2-8-0, does).

 

4) It is scale size (or close enough) and rather detailed but looks toylike because of the small size and simplicity of the prototype.  I need to take one on as a project to make it look a bit more realistic, somehow, perhaps weathering it or something.

Hi Paul,

I have never seen the PRSL version - I doubt if I could find one now. I know Lionel made a good-looking camelback with that livery. That is my home turf!

Thanks, and Cheers!

Bill

If you want conventional control, the lionel 6-11379 can be had from trainworld for about $400. 

 

Personally the Weaver model looks nicer, but just thought I would throw this in.

 

John Z

Lee has a good point, I use a single-wire tether on most small steamers to share power between the locomotive and the tender.  It makes them far more reliable over switches and crossovers.

 

Thanks, Lee! I appreciate the info. I am not really technically knowledgeable, but I was understanding what you said. I'm on a learning curve!

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Bill

Thank you, John Z! The Weaver is a real beauty!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks you, gunrunnerjohn.

Is this an easy "operation" to accomplish? Like I told Lee - I'm on a learning curve, but looking forward to it.

Cheers,

Bill

If you get an original K-Line or K-Line by Lionel both tender and engine have pickup rollers so no additional tether needed. The later Lionel version with Railsounds and wireless tether but no TMCC my not have rollers on the tender.

They haven't made a perfect one yet so be prepared for some trade offs.

My idea of close to perfect would have Weaver detail and Legacy control. All the current ones fall short of that.

 

Pete

Have owned the K-Line A5 with TMCC/RS for years procured as a K-L Club offering ... quite a deal in hindsight. Neat little engine. It is fun to double-head the A5 with K-Line's 0-6-0 B6b. Not terribly prototypical, mind you, but good clean fun.

 

Bob

You're just connecting the pickup rollers together between the locomotive and the tender.  Obviously, you have to open them up to do this.  I also use a PTC in series with the tether to protect the wiring in case of a derailment.  I'm currently using this 1.3A PTC Trip at Digikey for that protection.

Thanks, Pete!

I'm saving all these posts, so I'll have the knowledge at hand!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks, Bob. That double-head must look neat!

It is really about having fun!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks, gunnerjohn - sounds do-able even for this amateur!

Have a great weekend!

Bill

Thanks, Gerry! That looks great!

I REALLY am interested! May I send you an email? 

Thanks!

Bill

yes

 

goh8100@aol.com 

That is a nice little engine.  That looks like it could be fun to play with.  Very handsome little scooter.

Gerry, that is a photo of a K-Line A5, not a Weaver.  See Mike CT's post above for Weaver photos.  The K-Line lacks the eccentric crank on the main driver and has the odd combination of a kerosene front light (applied to the A5's when first built) and an electric light on the tender slope.  How that rear light goes on with no generator on the locomotive is a mystery!  The reason is that K-Line used the tender from their B6sb model (with electric lights) while they modeled the earliest configuration for the locomotive.

 

mebucko,

 

Weaver's model is very detailed and runs like a watch.  Add a Cruise Commander Lite and Small Steam Railsounds from Electric Railroad and you have one first class light switcher.

Thanks, Bob!

Great info, and the photos that Mike posted are great.

Appreciate the good review you gave about the Weaver!!

Cheers,

Bill