Some ideas for Lionel AF PA's

Yes. A steel tube. My operational criticisms (particularly through paired Gilbert turnouts) are made under the assumption of the presence of the added weight.

Bob

How 'bout them KCS painted PA's!!!

(Helping to get back on-topic. )

I kind of favor my Erie-Lackawanna PA. Goes nice with the GP35, RS3, TM and U33.

Rich

Well Rich, it IS hard to argue with the striking E-L schemes the E-L came up with. 

In all the side-tracking we've done in this thread, I failed to ask:  Did you do the custom painting/decal work yourself?

Yes. Des Plaines hobbies supplied most of the decals.

Rich

Well, you did an outstanding job.  My favorites (in order) would have to be:

* The KCS units.

* The E-L

* The GM&O

* The GN

* Southern

As you can see, I'm very impressed with the units that have pin stripe separation lines.  Being a painter/decaler myself, I know pinstripe separations are hard to do.

Andre

Has anyone painted one in the demonstrator scheme?

So THAT'S where Lionel got their idea for a "Pumpkin" 202 FA!

I was going through some pictures sent to me by a friend.  It was taken in Parsons KS in January 1963.  Any idea if it was retired by then or just in need of a good bath?

Greg

She needs more than a bath, that paint is severely oxidized.  Plus the sides around the fuel tank are going or gone.  Seeing that Katy locos were being repainted in "Deramus Red" in 1959, I'd say she's out of service.

Rusty

True... PA2 155A was renumbered to be 61A. Disposition beyond that...??

http://www.thedieselshop.us/MKT.html

Mark

Here's what they looked like in better days:

I'd like to see Lionel do the following PA paint schemes:

- New Haven (I like the Gilbert McGinnis and the older green and gold pinstripe schemes)

- Delaware & Hudson (no B unit, please.  Can't believe Lionel hasn't done this one yet)

- a Santa Fe war bonnet with a proper nose decal (neither Gilbert nor the earlier Lionel versions had correct-looking 'nose art'). The Lionel versions were otherwise beautifully decorated.

Couple other comments.  I run and enjoy my AM K4 with my Tuscan red AM (SHS-branded) Pullmans, just like the photo. I was thrilled when these came out in the 90s, and think they operate well.  I haven't had problems with the trucks, which are equalized and roll with much lower friction than my Gilbert or Lionel Flyer passenger cars.  I retrofitted them with the AM lighting kits and they work well as long as the track and wheels are relatively clean.