FT B Units

[Jumijo]

Modern cars are larger, but don't lose sleep over it. A photo in the current Model Railroader shows a yard full of old boxcars. No 2 are the same size.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm new to Lionel and buying items for a simple "round the Christmas tree" setup (don't want to run my On30 stuff there since I've added Tsunami sound systems to them). My first purchase was a D&RGW "Cookie Box" boxcar (6464-750), and it's a beautiful car. Then I got a great deal on an FT A-unit and bought it as well. The FT arrived yesterday, and even though I haven't purchased any track yet, I coupled them together on the dining room table and the FT is a bit larger in both height and width than the boxcar. Now, I understand that these are toy trains and not scale models, but something in me says that the size difference just doesn't look quite right. I will live with it, of course, it's a floor setup that's safe for the kids.

Here's my question, finally: Since the 6464 cars are a reproduction of an older series of cars, does that explain the difference in size? Are the more modern cars larger? Sorry for the newbie question, but I figured this would be the best place to ask. Thanks in advance for the help.
Norm in Denver

[Jumijo]

The Lionel FT B unit is symmetrical.

It's just a toy train.

Jim

[lionelsoni]

It's a drawing of a Santa Fe ABBB lashup of FTs. It confirms Donald Schmitt's observation of asymmetrical truck location and shows how Santa Fe thought the units should be oriented.

[Jumijo]

Bob,

What exactly is that drawing supposed to show? I can barely make it out to be a diesel loco and some cars?

Jim

[lionelsoni]

http://www.railroadingonline.net/railroads/atsf/drawings/dc100-1.gif

[Jumijo]

David,

Thanks for researching those questions and clearing all that up.


Jim

[FJ and G]

Apparently, there was a deadman's stick in the old days of steam, then a deadman's pedal and now the button. That's all the info I could get; no dates on the transition.

Regarding the A units:

1. "There being a door in the nose of any E or F unit I've seen, getting between units could happen no matter which way the units were facing. Wouldn't be fun, but it could happen." So, not having to turn the units around was correct.

2. "When they were first introduced, they were draw bar connected for union reasons (crew size). So the best thing if two "A"'s were connected was for them to be butt to butt."

3. "In the early days, the A-B-B-A set was considered a single locomotive and was usually drawbar connected with the cabs facing out for the reason that they didn't need to be turned. Once they got past the operating considerations or union agreements of one loco = 1 crew, they were coupled the current way. The operating department now determines how to face the engines for each train, taking such things as turning facilities, route, , etc. into consideration for each train."

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Jim,

Also, I believe the 2nd A unit runs backwards so that the locos don't need to be turned around when running a different direction. All bets are off tho, if there are more than 2 A units.

Logical. Though I don't expect New England Yanks to understand logic. [:p]

[Jumijo]

Thanks, David. As long as you're asking the experts, please see what they say about reasons for AA units being back to back.

Thanks,

Jim

[FJ and G]

Jim,

Great question. I'll ask that of the "Trains" forum folks.

[Jumijo]

Did they have deadman devices in locos way back then? I just assumed it was back to back so that the crews could access each cab if the need arose. If a crew member got sick or croaked, someone from the other cab could walk in and take control of that loco?

Jim

[Jumijo]

That's what I do. One loop each way. But in a bold move, I run the outer loop counterclockwise!

I thought the cardinal rule was:

North of Mason Dixon - Trains must be ran clockwise.
South of Mason Dixon- Trains must run counterclockwise -- ON THE FLOOR.

Jim

[FJ and G]

Jim,

Also, I believe the 2nd A unit runs backwards so that the locos don't need to be turned around when running a different direction. All bets are off tho, if there are more than 2 A units.

[Roger Bielen]

Buckeye, what if you have two loops? One CW and one CCW?

[Jumijo]

From what I've gathered from vintage photos online, the end with the box on the roof goes toward the A locomotive. So if you had an ABBA setup, the first B unit's box would be facing the front of the train, and the second one would be facing the rear.

My wife asked me why the second A unit always runs backwards. I told her it was so the crews could walk back and forth between the units. (?)


Jim

[Buckeye Riveter]

Just remember the cardinal rule:
North of Mason Dixon - Trains must be ran clockwise.

South of Mason Dixon- Trains must run counterclockwise.

That's the rules, so Jim don't let the Toy Train Police catch you violating this rule or there will be a hefty fine involved.

[DSchmitt]

Unlike latter F's, the FT A-B combinations were originally considered one locomotive. They were originally connected by a draw bar, not coupled. The trucks are not centered on under the B unit. The short overhang was the drawbar end and should be toward the A unit.

Latter after couplers were added they probably could face either way.

[csxt30]

I can't wait to see a picture !! [:D][:D]
Thanks,

[dougdagrump]

Shiney side up, wheeled side down.....[:o)] [:D]

[ChiefEagles]

Front end is forward and the back end is backwards. [;)]

[Buckeye Riveter]

Doesn't matter. I run mine however I put it on the track.

[Jumijo]

Just got one last night for our El Capitan set. Which end is the front, or doesn't it matter?

Jim