FA-1 SIdeframes, Same as FA-2 or RS-1's???

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

From the text:
"The S3's and S4's rode on what is commonly known as the AAR Type-B trucks, but ALCO simply calls them two axle, two motor trucks. These trucks were used on almost all of ALCO's B-B locomotives built after 1950 until the advent of the Hi-Adhesion truck (1960's)."

Hi Mark;

Thank you [:D]

The book appears to have a typo, as most S3's and S4's rode on AAR Type-A trucks, like most EMD, Baldwin, FM and Lima switchers. The AAR Type-B was used on most Alco non-switcher four axle diesels from the RS1/FA1/FB1 which are 1940's vintage. Even NYC's C430's were equipped with this truck. Baldwin used the AAR-B extensively too, FM did for awhile, then switched to thier own distinct variation.

See Kalmbach's "Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Volume 2: Diesel Locomotives"
http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/01033.html
for some great pictures and information.

[Adelie]

I just looked at my Alco reference book. With the exception of the Blunt trucks on the S1 and S2, it looks like the B-B trucks were the same until the 1960s. Looking at various pictures of RS1s, FA1s and FA2s (including the B units for both), they look the same to me.

From the text:
"The S3's and S4's rode on what is commonly known as the AAR Type-B trucks, but ALCO simply calls them two axle, two motor trucks. These trucks were used on almost all of ALCO's B-B locomotives built after 1950 until the advent of the Hi-Adhesion truck (1960's)."

While the RS1s were mostly built in the early 40's it looks like the same truck as the others and the text only describes the AAR B, the Blunt and the Hi Adhesion.

From all that, we can conclude Nigel is a genius[:D]

[nfmisso]

They all had the same AAR B truck design. Randy is correct about there being no practical difference, at the level you are asking about. If you want to go a few steps further, you will have to pick a certain locomotive on a certain date. On the real locomotive, trucks are fairly easy to swap, and when it goes in for a major overhaul, it may come out with different trucks.

[rrinker]

As far as i know, they all had the same trucks. If there ARE any differences, I doubt anyone would notice - and if you were going to that level of detail then you'd probably be scratchbuilding the trucks. But I do think they all had the same Alco truck design anyway.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I'm working on a update of a FA-1, and i want to install new side frames. I have Several sets to chose from, some of which would be easier to mount than others. I have RS-1's, And FA-2's aviable and they , for the life of me appear similar. Am i correct that either one would work ok ?
Thanks Bill