I am considering doing a foobie and would like to build a FT locomotive for a road that never had any. It did buy F3's (who didn't?) in three unit A-B-A sets (4500 hp). So I'm thinking it would have bought A-B-A FT sets (4050 hp). Of course, EMD's preferable set up for a three unit lash up included a short B unit, the FTSB. This eliminated the overhang on the back of regular B units. So I need an FTSB. Is anyone aware of anyone who makes or made such a thing, preferably undecoarated Ready-To-Run, but any types besides brass. Thank you
BEAUSABREAny types besides brass. Thank you
I do not know of any made in plastic in any scale. I know Stewart never made them in their otherwise exhaustive F series offerings.
I have never seen one from Highliner or Intermountain.
Even in brass, they are hard to come by, but there are HO brass models that pop up from time to time. As far as I know, brass is the only alternative to making your own.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Kevin is correct, no one has ever mass produced the FTSB in plastic.
There was at least one article about kit bashing one sometime in the last decade or so, not sure where it was published.
Sheldon
There were 24 short boosters built and another four ordered, but cancelled.
Short boosters as built there were two ABBA sets for Southern (NONE), and 16 ABA sets built for Great Northern 6, Rock Island 4, Lackawanna 4, and M&SL 2. A pair of ABA sets was cancelled by Monon in December 1941. And another pair was cancelled by M&SL.
Does anyone have any details on an Alton FT order?
Ed in Kentucky
Yes, unfortunately, I don't think anyone has ever offered an FTSB except (maybe?) in brass. I think MR or RMC or someone did an article some time back of kitbashing the Stewart FT-B into an FTSB, but since it's shorter (FT Short Booster) you would have to cut up both the plastic FT-B body and the metal chassis.
Note that many railroads that bought A-B sets of FTs later bought F2 or F3 A units and combined them into three unit sets that way. One railroad (I think either the old Burlington or the C&NW) that combined FTs and F2s called them "FT-2" sets. Since your railroad bought F3s, an A-B set of FTs mated with an F3A might be a realistic alternative.
As designed, the FT was set up to only be used in A-B sets, with the A and B units connected by a drawbar. GM found a way to jerry-rig a coupler on both ends largely because ATSF wanted all their A and B units to have couplers on both ends. The FTSB had drawbars at both ends IIRC.
The shorter FTSB booster also eliminated the option of using the engines in passenger service, as the FTSB didn't have the space at the rear that the regular FT-B did to have a steam generator and water tanks.
ATLANTIC CENTRALThere was at least one article about kit bashing one sometime in the last decade or so, not sure where it was published.
Nov. 2006 Railroad Model Craftsman
Dan
wjstix Yes, unfortunately, I don't think anyone has ever offered an FTSB except (maybe?) in brass. I think MR or RMC or someone did an article some time back of kitbashing the Stewart FT-B into an FTSB, but since it's shorter (FT Short Booster) you would have to cut up both the plastic FT-B body and the metal chassis. Note that many railroads that bought A-B sets of FTs later bought F2 or F3 A units and combined them into three unit sets that way. One railroad (I think either the old Burlington or the C&NW) that combined FTs and F2s called them "FT-2" sets. Since your railroad bought F3s, an A-B set of FTs mated with an F3A might be a realistic alternative. As designed, the FT was set up to only be used in A-B sets, with the A and B units connected by a drawbar. GM found a way to jerry-rig a coupler on both ends largely because ATSF wanted all their A and B units to have couplers on both ends. The FTSB had drawbars at both ends IIRC. The shorter FTSB booster also eliminated the option of using the engines in passenger service, as the FTSB didn't have the space at the rear that the regular FT-B did to have a steam generator and water tanks.
Can I ask you a question? Do you ever read what has already been posted before you post a response?
Brass - MAYBE? After Kevin has posted two pictures of brass ones? Hours ago?
Really?
Article about kit bashing one? Yes, I already mentioned that as well?
My first sentence was confirming what was earlier posted - Yes, there are no models in plastic. Unfortunately, on this computer, I can't see images posted in a reply, so I missed the brass model pictures that were apparently posted. And yes, you did mention that someone somewhere did an article on kitbashing one, I said I thought it was in MR or RMC...and apparently it was in RMC.
Besides the picture limitations, this is my work computer, so I usually am only reading/posting during my brief breaks. This doesn't always give me time to read every word of every post in a thread.
My main point, that since the OP modelled a railroad that had F3s, and a number of railroads mated FT A-B sets with F3A units to make a three unit A-B-A set could be a viable option for them, had not been raised by anyone.
wjstix My first sentence was confirming what was earlier posted - Yes, there are no models in plastic. Unfortunately, on this computer, I can't see images posted in a reply, so I missed the brass model pictures that were apparently posted. And yes, you did mention that someone somewhere did an article on kitbashing one, I said I thought it was in MR or RMC...and apparently it was in RMC. Besides the picture limitations, this is my work computer, so I usually am only reading/posting during my brief breaks. This doesn't always give me time to read every word of every post in a thread. My main point, that since the OP modelled a railroad that had F3s, and a number of railroads mated FT A-B sets with F3A units to make a three unit A-B-A set could be a viable option for them, had not been raised by anyone.
Well I was just wondering because you post a lot of replies that have no context to the previous posts - like being on facebook which I hate.
I don't have the luxury of being on a computer while I work, so when I do choose to be on this forum, I'm on the forum.
wjstixSince it's shorter (FT Short Booster) you would have to cut up both the plastic FT-B body and the metal chassis.
I was once playing with the idea of an FTA/FTSB/FTA set. Since the Stewart A/B sets had unpowered B units, it seemed like it would be simple to hack the two dummy B units into a single FTSB.
I have never read the RMC article. Is that what they did?
All those plans were scrapped when I scored this sweet set of brass FTs:
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
These will be the only FT locomotives on the SGRR.
ATLANTIC CENTRALI don't have the luxury of being on a computer while I work
When our office closed due to Covid, I had to pack away my PC at home to make room for my work computer. I do have an elderly laptop next to my workbench downstairs - even older and slower than my work laptop. I get upgraded to a new work laptop later this month, I hear the new ones are upgraded to work with Windows 98!
ATLANTIC CENTRALyou post a lot of replies that have no context to the previous posts
The OP was asking about getting an FTSB for an A-B-A set of FTs. The answer was, either he had to spend the money for a brass one, or go through the hassle of making his own as a kitbash. I suggested a third option, taken from the real world of railroading. Not clear how that's not in "context"?
ATLANTIC CENTRALlike being on facebook which I hate
Funny, I had the same thought reading your comments. I very briefly was on Facebook then got off it. Part of the thing I disliked about it was the trolling and sniping with personal comments and criticism so many people seemed to enjoy doing.
wjstix ATLANTIC CENTRAL I don't have the luxury of being on a computer while I work When our office closed due to Covid, I had to pack away my PC at home to make room for my work computer. I do have an elderly laptop next to my workbench downstairs - even older and slower than my work laptop. I get upgraded to a new work laptop later this month, I hear the new ones are upgraded to work with Windows 98! ATLANTIC CENTRAL you post a lot of replies that have no context to the previous posts The OP was asking about getting an FTSB for an A-B-A set of FTs. The answer was, either he had to spend the money for a brass one, or go through the hassle of making his own as a kitbash. I suggested a third option, taken from the real world of railroading. Not clear how that's not in "context"? ATLANTIC CENTRAL like being on facebook which I hate Funny, I had the same thought reading your comments. I very briefly was on Facebook then got off it. Part of the thing I disliked about it was the trolling and sniping with personal comments and criticism so many people seemed to enjoy doing.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I don't have the luxury of being on a computer while I work
ATLANTIC CENTRAL you post a lot of replies that have no context to the previous posts
ATLANTIC CENTRAL like being on facebook which I hate
I don't work in an office, or on a computer, I build stuff, peoples homes to be specific. But my computer at home is fast and up to date enough.
I did not say your posts were not in context or relevant to the original post, but they are often in a total vacuum regarding other replies, as if you are the only one replying.
And that is what I hate about facebook is all the "mini thread" replies that not everyone sees unless they go out of their way to read everything.
I don't spend ANY time on "regular" facebook, I only go on there for specfic groups, GRAVELY TRACTORS, CHECKER autos, and some Model Railroading groups. I have not incountered any nasty people in those places - just a crappy hard to use platform.
OK, so you explained why you can't "see" everything others have written, it just comes across rude when you repeat what someone else has said as if they were not even in the conversation.
I'm sure it's true I've posted a comment or reply that is similar to something someone else had already posted because of a failure on my part to read every word of every post in a thread first. I've also sometimes posted something to confirm or amplify something someone already had said.
In more than a few occassions, it's clear other people hadn't read all the posts in a thread, and had added wrong information after someone had posted the correct answer, and I added a post with the correct info again.
To me it's at worst an error of omission, rather than being rude.
ATLANTIC CENTRALCan I ask you a question? Do you ever read what has already been posted before you post a response? Brass - MAYBE? After Kevin has posted two pictures of brass ones? Hours ago? Really? Article about kit bashing one? Yes, I already mentioned that as well? Sheldon
OK now THAT'S "rude".
Although I admit I have the "luxury" of working from home on a computer, the work I do is fairly exacting and detail-oriented. Visiting these forums (and model railroading in general) is a way to take a break from all that and have some fun; maybe help someone with a problem and get a chuckle from a comment.
But if you're going to be a self-appointed moderator, trolling me and perhaps others when our posts don't come up to your standards, then I just won't cross the bridge anymore.
Bye
wjstixI'm sure it's true I've posted a comment or reply that is similar to something someone else had already posted because of a failure on my part to read every word of every post in a thread first. I've also sometimes posted something to confirm or amplify something someone already had said.
I do this too.
Probably most often in threads where there is a lot of posts being made. I might post an answer, and then see the answer was already posted by someone else.
No harm done.
Well yes, sometimes people post the same answer at the nearly the same time and don't see the other post until afterwards. And usually both parties acknowledge it at some point.
I'm sorry maybe I over reacted, you post just seemed so "in a vacuum" that it seemed like you are ignoring everyone else in the conversation - guess I was having a sensitive day.
And I admit, I really hate that about other social media, the hit and run, random response, no continuity to the conversation of how those platforms work.
I am not the moderator nor to I want to be.
My apologies,
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Well yes, sometimes people post the same answer at the nearly the same time and don't see the other post until afterwards. And usually both parties acknowledge it at some point. I'm sorry maybe I over reacted, you post just seemed so "in a vacuum" that it seemed like you are ignoring everyone else in the conversation - guess I was having a sensitive day. And I admit, I really hate that about other social media, the hit and run, random response, no continuity to the conversation of how those platforms work. I am not the moderator nor to I want to be. My apologies, Sheldon
Stix, please do not abandon the forum. I value your contributions highly. I think there's a setting somewhere, where you can turn up the gain on the grouchpuss filter. I have mine turned up to eleven, so I get all the benefit of everyone's experience without having to breathe anyone's smoke. I also check the box that says "Ignore ad hominem attacks". Seriously, I believe you handled that situation with admirable civility. Well done. -Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.