I am working on updating and modifying an ABBA set of Proto FA-1 and FB-1 locos I snagged off e-bay some time ago. I am already working on the EMD swap details for the FA-1s, and I am expecting the FB-1s to have standard Alco details. I did not see anything in the archive about it and the diesel shop does not note that the FB-1 numbers I have were EMD swapped. I will be doing both FA-1s up with spark arrestors, as it seems most EMD prime movers got them eventually. But in the Archive, I have noticed the FA-1s switch between one headlight and two headlights, presumably with a mars in the lower light. What is up with that? Both numbers I have, FA-1 SLSF 5200 and FA-1 SLSF 5215, only appear in the Archive with single headlights, and are not on RRPictureArchive. Did some units get second headlights during their EMD conversions, or was it all of them?
The originals had a single bulb headlight up high. On units that had a second light added in the front door, the lower unit was a twin sealed beam bulb headlight and the upper was a Pyle Gyralight as seen in the photo of 5209 above. This is very evident in this photograph of FA-1 SLSF 5204. http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/FA-1-5204-date-and-location-unknown.jpg
Tom, The repowered by EMD FA-1m units included SLSF 5200, 5201, 5202, 5203, 5204, 5205, 5206, 5207, 5208, 5209, 5211, 5212, 5213, 5215, 5216, 5217, 5218, 5219 and 5223. Units known to have been equipped with flared spark arresters based on available photographs to date included SLSF 5200, 5201, 5203, 5204, 5208, 5209, 5216, 5217 and 5218. Nose door headlights were applied inconsistently to the FA-1 and FA-1m units based on available photographs to date. My records indicate the following units received nose door headlights, with Pyle National Gyralites above in the original headlight castings - SLSF 5200, 5201, 5203, 5204, 5205, 5207, 5208, 5209, 5217, 5218, 5221. 5223 and 5227. Units confirmed to have received the bow wake only scheme included SLSF 5201, 5203, 5204, 5208, 5216, 5217 and 5229. The repowered by EMD FB1-m units included SLSF 5300, 5301 / 191, 5302, 5303 / 193, 5304, 5305, 5306, 5307 / 197, 5308, 5309 / 199, 5310 / 190 and 5311. The second unit number were locomotives still in service at the 1968 renumbering. Units known to have been equipped with flared spark arresters based on photographs to date included SLSF 5301 / 191, 5303 / 193, 5309 / 199 and 5310 / 190. Units confirmed to have received the all black with no stripes, yellow lettering and numbers scheme included SLSF 5300 and 5309 / 199. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
That is actually solid info. And introduces some fun twists to the setup I am building, as I have 5200, 5300, 5215, and 5315. Which, if I am reading this right, means I need: Spark arrestors, EMD sound, and a door light for 5200. Short stacks, no door light, and EMD sound for 5215. No body modifications, but ALCO sound to 5315. Short stacks and EMD sound for 5300. I can probably get away with a silent decoder on 5300, since decoders can be programmed to emulate two units next to each other. It will just be the B unit that gets left out if I do not need the full ABBA set. I do not think I will repaint them, just because I already have paint projects backing up due to not having a paint booth, but I can certainly do some minor details and touch up.
The Frisco purchased 32 FA-1s and 16 FB-1s. Until the Frisco figured-out the MU possibilities of the diesel locomotive, the Alcos ran in ABA consists.
I mostly just want to see how much these will pull once they have gotten new gears and the necessary electrical parts. When I do get around to building a layout, I will be focusing more on area than era, so I will have the freedom to run absolutely silly things.
Actually, you can set up a SoundTraxx Tsunami or Tsunami 2 decoder with full delay reverb and full prime mover reverb to somewhat simulate the sound of two prime movers.
Yep! I have had an extensive discussion with a buddy that does a lot more deep dive work than I have done. Except now I need to put the delay reverb on the EMD unit, instead of the Alco unit, as I had expected
