Scale Size New Haven Alco FA-1 as delivered

Weaver catalogued an FA2 in that scheme. I ordered an ABA set when they were announced. At the time I had nothing on order engine wise. I’m guessing these were made still in house. I spoke with Gary at Weaver and was getting a 3 rail engine with 2 rail couplers. They were in the Spring and Fall 2013 catalog. Somewhere on line I think the catalogs are archived. It might have been 3 years and I received a phone call to see if I still wanted them. I declined at the time as had some pre orders coming in and had pretty much given up on seeing them made it had been so long. Whether they ever got made I really don’t know. They may have just been seeing if there was still interest. By then. MTH and Lionel were both offering them for about the same money with more added detail. I went with the Weavers mainly for the fixed pilots and Kadee’s. Plus it was my favorite scheme and your right as far as I know of. Not being done yet.

Thank you for the lead, just what I was hoping for.

I bought a used Weaver PRR FA/FB set a year and a half ago (posted about it at the time).

https://ogrforum.com/...ou-think-please-help

I like them so will start looking for the New Haven Version.  Maybe someone else will see this and offer-up a set.

Dave  - Went looking and found this link.  I'm in Hot Pursuit!

https://www.pwrs.ca/announcements/view.php?ID=5232

Thanks again!

Looking at that page. It pre dates the ones I ordered. Your Flyer has them with EOB and the ones in the 2013 are listed with ERR.  They are probably in every catalog until they finally go into production. They were made in-house and I have no idea what the minimum order would be for a particular roadname.  But I believe I did see one for sale at one time. Best of luck with your search.

@Dave_C posted:

Looking at that page. It pre dates the ones I ordered. Your Flyer has them with EOB and the ones in the 2013 are listed with ERR.  They are probably in every catalog until they finally go into production. They were made in-house and I have no idea what the minimum order would be for a particular roadname.  But I believe I did see one for sale at one time. Best of luck with your search.

Thanks for the added info.  If I find one I will let you know.

Back to the OP's original question about FA-1s.  Outside of high-end brass, the only FA-1s that I know of in O scale were the ones by Williams/WbB.  They were a nice model but had some fidelity issues. They may have made one in the scheme you want.

I am somewhat disappointed that 3rd Rail is only doing a few roads/schemes with their FA-1.  Would have liked an FA-1 ABA in as delivered Pennsy.

If it matters to you, the New Haven only had FA-1 A units, while the Weaver ones are a model of an FA-2. The most striking visual difference is the number boards (parallel to the sides on an FA-1, and at a 45 degree or so angle on an FA-2).

Only Williams has done a scale FA-1 in mass production, but it does clean up well enough. Below is a model I detailed and painted for one of the New Haven's four units that were rebuilt by Alco in 1959.

If you're handy, Microscale has decals for the as delivered orange and green with silver pinstripes scheme. Tru-color has model railroad paint (including NH warm orange and NH hunter green). This is a project I've considered for a while and have just never pulled the trigger on.

On a side note - I do have some Sunset FA-1s on order. While not interested in as-delivered New Haven units from them at the moment, I would ask Scott to list them if a second run was ever announced.

~Chris

@CAPPilot posted:

Back to the OP's original question about FA-1s.  Outside of high-end brass, the only FA-1s that I know of in O scale were the ones by Williams/WbB.  They were a nice model but had some fidelity issues. They may have made one in the scheme you want.

I am somewhat disappointed that 3rd Rail is only doing a few roads/schemes with their FA-1.  Would have liked an FA-1 ABA in as delivered Pennsy.

The image they have for the PRR FA-2 is fantasy too. They never wore a five stripe paint scheme. I messaged Scott about a year ago about it.

Jim………this is a recent Lionel offering……a special run from MrMuffins……you could suggest another run to Lionel…..

Peter

"Only Williams has done a scale FA-1 in mass production, but it does clean up well enough."

I agree. Mine below, not New Haven (to say the least), my paint/decals (before Wms offered the GM&O FA's), weathered, old TAS TMCC in both FA's. Plus other changes. (2-rail display board.)

The NH had some of the best - if not the best - electric/diesel paint schemes in N. America. Not to mention the variety. My favorite was the "pinstripe" version, especially the dark green/silver stripe DL's.

I've been looking for the Weaver New Haven FA's in soft orange but so far unable to find any complete units or shells to retro-fit. Did pick-up 3 'B' shells at York a few years back when Weaver closed down but the A units remain elusive.

Approached Mr Muffin at York a few times to run a Lionel or MTH custom run in the soft Orange and he thought that might be a nice one to do if there was enough interest. If enough people express interest, hopefully Mr Muffin will strongly consider.

Also, if anyone knows of someone that would custom paint a ABA in the soft orange scheme, please let me know too.   

Thanks to all that have contributed and all the possible source information.  I will also posted some specific comments / questions.

@star316 posted:

I've been looking for the Weaver New Haven FA's in soft orange but so far unable to find any complete units or shells to retro-fit. Did pick-up 3 'B' shells at York a few years back when Weaver closed down but the A units remain elusive.

Approached Mr Muffin at York a few times to run a Lionel or MTH custom run in the soft Orange and he thought that might be a nice one to do if there was enough interest. If enough people express interest, hopefully Mr Muffin will strongly consider.

Also, if anyone knows of someone that would custom paint a ABA in the soft orange scheme, please let me know too.   

         

Are you saying that the 3 B shells you have are the Orange?  So far hadn't found anything on the internet to confirm they actually were produced (not just planned).

@D500 posted:

"Only Williams has done a scale FA-1 in mass production, but it does clean up well enough."

I agree. Mine below, not New Haven (to say the least), my paint/decals (before Wms offered the GM&O FA's), weathered, old TAS TMCC in both FA's. Plus other changes. (2-rail display board.)

The NH had some of the best - if not the best - electric/diesel paint schemes in N. America. Not to mention the variety. My favorite was the "pinstripe" version, especially the dark green/silver stripe DL's.

Beautiful Job!

@C.Vigs posted:

If it matters to you, the New Haven only had FA-1 A units, while the Weaver ones are a model of an FA-2. The most striking visual difference is the number boards (parallel to the sides on an FA-1, and at a 45 degree or so angle on an FA-2).

Only Williams has done a scale FA-1 in mass production, but it does clean up well enough. Below is a model I detailed and painted for one of the New Haven's four units that were rebuilt by Alco in 1959.

If you're handy, Microscale has decals for the as delivered orange and green with silver pinstripes scheme. Tru-color has model railroad paint (including NH warm orange and NH hunter green). This is a project I've considered for a while and have just never pulled the trigger on.

On a side note - I do have some Sunset FA-1s on order. While not interested in as-delivered New Haven units from them at the moment, I would ask Scott to list them if a second run was ever announced.

~Chris

Beautiful Job!

Jim, below is one of the two Weaver NH B unit shells I picked up at York (thought I had three but only found two). Two different road numbers though. I have never seen the A units as shells or completed units. Would assume if the B's were done, the A's are out there somewhere. Bet someone picked up a bunch of shells when Weaver closed shop. First time posting a picture, let me know if it comes out ok.   

@star316 posted:

Jim, below is one of the two Weaver NH B unit shells I picked up at York (thought I had three but only found two). Two different road numbers though. I have never seen the A units as shells or completed units. Would assume if the B's were done, the A's are out there somewhere. Bet someone picked up a bunch of shells when Weaver closed shop. First time posting a picture, let me know if it comes out ok.   

Yes photo did come out fine.  Totally agree with your logic.  Need to keep looking.

You probably know that the NH originally ordered 15 ABA Sets specifically for the Maybrook Line.  The line now a bike trail is 0.6 miles from where I live, during the summer I ride my bike on it.  I also volunteer at the Hopewell Junction Depot (along the line) and am helping to restore a caboose we acquired in 2022.

https://www.hopewelldepotmuseum.org/

Thanks again!

Jim (Mainline Steam) and New Haven Fans:

For those interested. Steve at MrMcMuffin's Trains just announced his 2025 Lionel Custom Run line-up and includes the New Haven FA in soft orange.  Please consider pre-ordering so this version can be made. Other than Weaver doing these quite awhile ago; this beautiful version hasn't been done and is very difficult to find. 

Email announcement:  Announcing Lionel 2025V1 Custom Runs for MrMuffin'sTrains

Lionel 25339NH - Legacy - FA-2 Diesel Locomotive AA Set "New Haven" - Custom Run for MrMuffin'sTrains

Lionel 25339NHB - Legacy - FB-2 Diesel Locomotive SuperBass "New Haven" #0466 - Custom Run for MrMuffin'sTrains 

Ken

@C.Vigs posted:

If it matters to you, the New Haven only had FA-1 A units, while the Weaver ones are a model of an FA-2. The most striking visual difference is the number boards (parallel to the sides on an FA-1, and at a 45 degree or so angle on an FA-2).

Actually, the most important visual difference between an FA1 and an FA2 is that the FA2 is longer than the FA1, so that an FA could carry a train heat boiler; the FA1's had to have an FB1 to carry and supply passenger train steam heat. The extra length is at the rear, between the radiator grille and the loco rear. So, good to know if you are buying - FA1's and FA2's weren't the same loco, quite.

FA1 length: 51'6".  FA2 length: 53'6".

Williams FA1:

Weaver FA2; note extra body length above the "366". I believe that the wheelbase was the same. I also think that the Williams trucks are a tad too short, but nice nonetheless.

@rplst8 posted:

The image they have for the PRR FA-2 is fantasy too. They never wore a five stripe paint scheme. I messaged Scott about a year ago about it.

Yes, the website image is fantasy, but the artwork on the model is prototypical.  It is being reviewed currently.

The as-delivered NH scheme would look good on a second run.

@MainLine Steam posted:

I would like to get a Scale Size New Haven Alco FA-1 in the "as delivered" Orange Paint scheme.  Does anyone know if such a unit has ever been made?  I can't seem to find one.

Forum sponsor MrMuffins Trains has just announced a custom run of a Legacy New Haven FA-1 A-A set in the warm orange/green color scheme. Now's your chance. Check his website.

MELGAR

Thanks to all for the "Heads-Up" on the Mr Muffin's Pre Order.  Haven't been on here very much in the last few months, but I got an e-mail because MelGar "replied with quote" so wanted to check-in and thank you.

At $500 per unit need to think it over before buying.  So far all purchases have been 2nd hand items released 15 or more years ago.  Notice I said 2nd hand, not used, because many have been NIB.  I am just down right cheap, thus the dearth of new equipment.

Plus for the time being I am fine with conventional.  I like the "locomotive sounds" and some of my locos have that while running conventional.  Yes I loose some features, but I'm OK with that.  I model the transition era so the "talking to dispatcher" sounds however annoy me!

Don't suppose there is any chance of buying just the decorated shells.  I have some Weaver PRR Units NIB that I could "convert".  I am assuming these Lionel Units would be much better detailed than the Weaver Units, but also would have "swinging pilots", as opposed to the Weavers Pilots which are Part of the shell.

The more I think about it I probably should engage in some modeling to make the Weaver Shells more accurate and then send them out to someone that is good at painting and decorating.   I am not good at that.