As one of many that have been involved with the conversion of a AM FA2 into a
FA1, there is a difference between the nose contours of both. I've gotten to
the point where my ends are finished. (relocating the exhaust roof fan to its
proper position). And have been gearing up for altering the nose, but since
moving have put things on hold. That's about to change now as I'm ready to
start back in again. After sorting through many articles, photos, books of
various road units from the different railroads that owned them, have concluded
that the nose contour of the Overland brass models are correct. AM units noses
are too squared off. Most of you are probably already aware of this. After
extensive reseach, have had the dynamic brakes 'sized-up'. The D.B. that are
moulded onto the AM PA scales out a shade too wide ( about 8" scale or 1/16")
as well as about 1/4" too short. The brass one offered by BTS is too narrow and
the end grids are not contoured correctly in a couple different ways as are
the AM PA D.B. The cooling coils that are moulded into both the BTS casting and
the AM PA unit. But having them appear like the Overland's brass model will
require removing that detail and adding the coils individually as separate
detail. (modelers that don't need to replicate these D.B. units luck out here).
This aspect appears to be more accurately modeled on the AM PA's. I've tried to
cut one out of the PA roof and modify it to more correct dimensions, but so far
cannot decide if the work involved is more than I'd like to do, compared to
trying something different. Since I'm currently looking at building quite a
few, I may resort to casting them when I get far enough along to where I'm
happy with the 'prototype' model, then adding the cooling coils separately.
After shaving off some moulded on rivets, I'm sure using Archer rivets will
probably be in order to replace what was lost and adding some that are suppose
to be there in the first place. Have a ways to go but it's fun. Knowing how
things go, they'll be commercially available soon before mine are finished.
Mike B. To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:36:09 +0300
Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} FA was PA
Jim said:
> The FA keeps getting pulled into this thread.
Well... since it does: I changed the topic name for this mutant sub-thread
so we could continue talking about the FA models.
> S Scale has two different FA-2 models (brass and plastic). As far as
> I am aware, neither has any significant external design or shape flaws.
I have an AM FA-2 model. Nice looking body.
It would be a big help to us FA lovers if an FA-1/FB-1 were available. Of
the 13 KC roads I can model, most that had FA's had FA-1's.
Concerning the AM FA-2 I have, "one of these days" it will be attacked.
Don't know at that time if I'll go to the trouble of slicin' n' dicin' it
into an FA-1 for the Frisco... or take the easy way out and keep it an FA-2
for the KC&G or Mop. (For the Mop: Can even do it in the "easy-peasy" Jenks
Blue scheme if'n I want to.)
Yup, the way I see it, all S scale needs is to get the motive power
situation up to the variety found in HO... and we'll be "there". That
should be easy enough, right guys? Shoot... if the mfg'ers will invest the
money and time build them... I'll even think about buying something...
maybe. Unless they blow it on the rivets. Can't stand it when they don't
have the correct amount/shape of rivets.
Ming The Merciless
aka Andre Ming
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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