Walthers FA-1---any good?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I am looking for an affordable FA-1/FB-1. I looked at the Walthers model and although it looks underdetailed, it would make a great project starter. I plan to buy an undecorated version and detail it, maybe with a paint job. Is there any issues with the loco?

Thanks in advance,

2

For your modeling period, it should be well beat up as there where not many FA1’s left on the CPR by the mid-late 60’s (most were traded in on C424’s in 65-66 although the odd one lasted till '77).

The shell is OK, it is a good starting point. My only one is a dummy, so can not say about the power chassis.

3

The pair I have have very poor electrical contact. i permanently “mu’d” my pair together as an A-A set and jumpered between the units. With 16 wheels picking up it runs fairly well.

Dave H.

4

yeah, I’m making my era a mixed one. I just haven’t gotten around to changing my signature yet.

The electrical pickup though… maybe some NWSL parts will fix it.

EDIT: Walthers trainline FA-1 if anyonne is mistaken.

5

I have an A-B set of FA-1’s by Proto 2000 which now belongs to Walther’s. The only problems I experienced was #1, as mentioned above, electrical pickup. I cleaned up the axle end pickup seats in the trucks and the performance was greatly improved. Problem #2 was the cracked gear problem. The A unit had two cracked gears and the B unit had one. Some old gear axles salvaged from an Athearn loco made great replacements.

6

I wonder if the Trainline units are the old Train Minatures that Walthers brought out many years ago after buying the TM rights/molds? That is what I have, not the old Like Like P2000 units.

7

I bought a Trainline A/B set about 9-10 years ago - the grandkids love them & have given them a few miles! They have run very smoothly - pull great - and have had no problems what-so-ever![:)]

8

The Walthers Trainline FA-1 is the old Train Miniatures shell, on a decent drive (heavy, similar to a Kato in driveline and motor). The body isn’t as nice as the P2K, but it is a lot cheaper. Less parts to break off, unless you add them. I don’t believe they are DCC ready, but they do have wires to the trucks and the motor, so a drop-in board like a DA-SR or similar should be pretty easy to wire in. NWSL makes replacement wheels for Trainline engines. Atlas truck assemblies may also fit; I’m looking into that for my GP15-1, which derails quite often.

9

Those TL FAs are not bad locomotives for the price.I have seen them run and they are smooth runners like the GP9M and GP15-1. The main thing is its a $39.95 locomotive and not highly detailed like the P2K FA .

10

Are these also the old Roco/Model Power shells?

11

Maybe. The grills that distinguishe (spelling?) the FA-1 from later models are in an FA-1 style. Model Power listed them as FA-2’s. Apparently they know nothing about model trains, like for example, their CPRail F2A.

EDIT: Brakie, the price was what caught my eye.

WSOR 3801, Which NWSL wheels do I need? I had a look at their site yet found it VERY confusing ([%-)])

12

What bugs me are these people who go out and buy a cheap loco and lament about how much detail it lacks and it’s questionable running properties.

All I have to say to them is ‘HELLO! You get what you pay for.’. The only cheap locos I’ve seen that run worth a hoot are the BB Athearn’s and some of the Walther’s offerings and maybe a few of the Bachmann’s.

The Walther’s FA is a good for what it is. A decent looking loco that is affordably priced and easily maintained. I don’t expect it to have killer looks.

13

Just asking as I remember that one of the mags (RMC?) in a review that came out when these were first offered said it was a composite of the FA-1 and FA-2. IIRC It was slightly longer and had the FA-2 details behind the cab to the rear, but the cab was definitely an FA-1. It was designed to fit the Sharknose chassis, which was longer than the FA’s

14

As noted above, no, the Walthers ones are not the old Roco/MP units. The Walthers/Train Miniatures shells are much more faithful to the FA1 in length and placement of details. A much better starting point for a FA1.

15

Thats my next project. I installed a sound decoder, in one of the units, and it just stumbles and restarts over and over. I may even add a dummy B unit, and hook up electrical pickups in the B unit.

Trainworld always has them in their ad, at a good discount.

16

Thanks PFinder. Wasn’t sure. The only good thing about the old Roco/MP model was the chassis. Those things could pull.

17

I agree, theye were sweet runners for their day and I have one done as a VIA Rail ex CPR (don’t ask [:D] ) FA2. It is quite and pulls stumps.

18

Mine run VERY well. Start slow, are quiet, and use very little power. I picked up a pair on eBay for about $15 for BOTH powered units. Luckily I have my large collection of old issues of MR and I found the product review on them - after seeing the slow starting speed I bid and won.

The only downside is the older level of shell detail. But this is easily fixed with some add-on grab irons.

–Randy

19

I’ve encountered a problem…

Where can I get them from? I checked my LHS online and they had nothing. I’m up for online ordering if they have discount prices. Remember that I’m looking for an A and B unit in an undecorated paint scheme.

Thanks again,

20

I see the Proto 2000 FA-1’s on Ebay all the time for around 40 bucks. I have two of them and they run very well. The only problem I ever had with them was the notorious cracked gear issue, but thats a very simple fix.