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 Posted - November 22 2021 : 8:13:10 PM
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At a recent swap meet, I picked up this ALCO FA1:
It has a single flywheel, a big, heavy metal frame, and a drive shaft to the two trucks
There was a DCC decoder built into it, but I bypassed that to make it DC analog.
The wheels appear to be blackened brass rather than the usual nickel silver, and rather than the split axle in the center gear, there's an axle all the way across, insulated from both wheels, and a gear pressed on its middle. Electrical pickup is from bronze wipers on the back of the wheel.
I have yet to figure out what brand this model is. Does anyone here recognize this thing?
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - November 22 2021 : 11:43:13 PM
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N.A.C.
Not a clue.
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 03:49:16 AM
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It looks suspiciously like a Bachmann with the tub chassis and DCC. But Bachmann made FA2s not FA1s. Maybe somebody swapped an FA1 shell on the Bachmann chassis?
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 09:03:16 AM
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quote:It looks suspiciously like a Bachmann with the tub chassis and DCC. But Bachmann made FA2s not FA1s. Maybe somebody swapped an FA1 shell on the Bachmann chassis?
Originally posted by jward - November 23 2021 : 03:49:16 AM
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Thanks. Bachmann was my first guess, too, but like you, I only found an FA2 in their line. The way the shell attaches, it looks like it was made for that frame, so I'm still in a quandary?
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 Posted - November 23 2021 : 09:42:56 AM
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Internet photo says it is a Walthers model. Under their Trainline division.
https://www.walthers.com/alco-fa1-standard-dc-union-pacific-r-1500a-armour-yellow-gray
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 09:45:01 AM
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I see some slight differences. Possible it was kitbashed a bit.
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 09:52:50 AM
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https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ho-scale-walthers-union-pacific-3769906222
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 1:24:12 PM
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I think you've nailed it, WKS. The only difference I can spot is that mine is missing some parts (horns and some sort of little vent pipe looking thing). Maybe you're more observant and have seen some more?
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 1:58:58 PM
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Just looked on the internet with 1500A as a clue Don.
Probably runs similar to yours.
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 4:32:36 PM
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I have a trainline FA1 in New Haven but it has different number boards. I'll have to dig it out and take a closer look. Those Trainline units are sweet runners.
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Posted - November 23 2021 : 6:21:00 PM
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quote:Those Trainline units are sweet runners.
Originally posted by jward - November 23 2021 : 4:32:36 PM
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It's smooth, quiet, and it'll pull the bumper off of a Chevy. It also doesn't lunge at all with a heavy train pushing it downhill on a steep grade. Definitely, it's a sweet runner.
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Posted - November 24 2021 : 03:21:42 AM
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I've seen the videos of your layout. I'm impressed. It's the closest to what I'm trying to do. If it can perform well on those grades it will do well anywhere else.
In the near future I'm going to go through my fleet and do trials on my 3 and 4% grades with various locomotives. I have assembled a fleet of 20 Bachmann silver series gondolas to use as a test train, I just need to wire a switch to let me run either DC or DCC so I can run everything. Preliminary test have shown certain diesels will pull the entire train upgrade, but I have to be careful trying to get it back down the mountain, All that weight has a tendency to pop cars off the track if the locomotive is not smooth.
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Posted - November 24 2021 : 07:32:13 AM
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The world needs more "bumper pullers!" 
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