I transplanted the LL-painted shells as-is, both B&O and WM. I did not even add five chime horns to the WMs. The only thing that I added to either was the MT nose kit on the A units and the hardware for coupler mounting to the aft of the As and both ends of the B (B&O unit, WM had no FB-2s). Oh, and I did erase the radio lightning bolt, as I have only seen it on the FAs in photographs taken in or after 1959. LL did #303 and #304 in speed lettering. That is fine, as my era demands speed lettering for the FAs and the two F-3As that came back as F-7As; fireball for all else. I also did #301 and #302 on undecorated shells that came on two metal frame FA-2s. I used the MicroScale sheet, and yes, I know that the lettering size is incorrect, but it is the closest that I can get. I had to extend the wings to something closer to the correct size by chopping them off of some of the nose heralds and adding them to the wings on an existing nose herald. It took three for #302 and two for #301. According to Messrs. Stakem, the wings on #301 were shorter than the other three. I did add five chime horns to the two that I painted. They are not the correct five chimes, but I could not find the proper ones. A five chime of some sort is better than none. I will have to add some items to the B&O FPA/FPB-2s. Does anyone know if the dynamic brake grids on FA-1s are the same size as those on FA-2s? I also bought and stripped a pair of Kato F-3s, to which I had intended to add some grilles to model the F-3s that came back as F-7s. Since IM has issued their F-7s in WM, I was considering buying an A-A pair of those, erasing the numbers and replacing them with the correct ones and trying to get a high-fan panel from IM and swapping out the fan panels. I will see.
BM, I would look at Overland for correct 5 Chime horns, you'd probably have to send them email or contact by phone directly. I have a slew of 5 chimes (not sunrise), but need more so I am in the same boat as you. T
J'n'J is where I found the five-chimes that I do have. As Mr. Sizemore correctly states, they are close, but not the proper five chime horns for WM power. I have seen proper five chimes listed in various places, including WKW, but they are always out; that includes WKW. So, I use the ones from J'n'J, as they are better than the single horn. Most WM diesel power had five chimes, but not all. The BL-2s retained their 'BLA-A-A-AT' horns. The yard goats and the Baldwin road switchers also did not have five chime horns. The RS-2s and RS-3s seemed to have had different horns, but I have not yet installed those horns on my RS-2s.
Since I intend to concentrate on running a model railroad rather than close up photography, I plan on buying the J&J horns. I want a distinctive look, and like the multiple horns. I also intend to apply the large number boards applied to front of many units later. Frank
In addition Western Maryland used both Leslie and Nathan (all forward) 5 chime horns. And in some case both of each type on the same locomotive. Brass (locomotive) manufacturers already have this horn available problem is learning different language to get them.... Tim
Can you actually get parts from the brass manufacturers? Must you go straight to the manufacturer, or can you get them from the importer? If the former, I , too have the language problem. I do not speak or write Japanese or Korean.
I doubt you can get parts from either the importers or the manufacturers. Once a run is gone, it's gone, unless you can find some new-old-stock (NOS) from a dealer. Good luck finding that.
As with any business if you commision them to make a few hundred, they'll gladly take your business (to be read as Dollars). Especially for items that already have molds and have been used previously which are not copywritten in those countries. Again the problem is the language barrier. Thats pretty much how I got my collection of Nathan 5 chimes for F Units and FA Units. I bought them from a once prominent distributor/LHS who commissioned horns and heating/cooling tubes so he could do his own N scale WM units. He sent his large order to one of the brass greats which in turn took his money and returned to him a large amount of horns. Tim
LifeLikes FA-2 are just as good as their FA-1 engines (with split-frames design)... just more difficult to find... and not as INexpensive. BLW had the FA-1' on sale a few years ago; and then, for a very brief time (one day???), put the FA-2' on sale as well. They sold off their excess FA-2' in a heartbeat (I managed to get an set of GN FA-2')
It would seem that the production run of the FA/FB2s wasn't nearly as much as the FA/FB1s, which are still available from a lot of dealers. As it is, I only have one FA/FB2 set (PRR for cameo appearences on the layout), but six of the FA/FB1s. They both run the same, which is great. Smooth and powerful, at half the price of Atlas or Kato when I bought them. At the Bedford N scale weekend a few weeks ago, there was a dealer from the Pittsburg area selling LL split frame locos for $10 each. I bought 5 FA1s and an SW9. The sign above the boxes said salvaged, but the all worked.
My enthusiasm for the LL FA1's is huge. I have an ABBA set of LV's and an ABA set of ERIE's. I've replaced the couplers, adjusted the wheelset spacing (every single one was too tightly guaged) and voila, GREAT running engines. I run them for hours at our NTrak shows, and except for minor lubrication they're like the energizer bunny. For the 7 locos I've spent less than $110.
