LL FA1/FB1 performance

[untabubba]

That thud you just heard was the good old Breeze fallin' off the wagon. I just bought(won?) a Life Like FA1/FB1 set for $22.57 brand new in the box. I have a couple questions. 1. Are these an "older" design? (see item # - 5912244448 for speecs) Both N scale supply and BLW want $90 and $75, respectively. Yet this outfit out of Baltimore is giving these sets up, at auction, in the "twenties" and selling them "outright" on their web-site for $39.99! WHAT'S UP, oh learned expert buddies of mine?? Have I bought a "pig-in-a-poke"? 2. Since this is obviously a "set", I am going to MU them exclusively. Therefore should I only ever run them MUed right out of the box so they "break in" together? Marc The eBay junkie!!

[ginzokid]

Split frame. That's half the motor isolation battle. Also check Tony's Train Exchange wb site to see if they offer a DCC conversion for them. B-)

[untabubba]

Chuck, All I can say is they are GREAT little locos. Smooth as silk, quiet as a mouse and strong as an ox....especially in the A-B MU! I have three sets! 1 PRR and 2 Readings. I think an A-B-B-A MU would pull the house across the yard! 😮 ;) I mean, if you MUST have DCC make real sure by asking them. I don't think they'd steer you wrong. Heck, I'd call them "live"! You can get an 800 number from their auction site info. If you still run DC you could probably snipe a set for a REAL GOOD price! Marc

[untabubba]

Oh, and if you have ANY experience with MT coupler conversions, they are a stone cold CINCH! Marc

[ginzokid]

Marcus, Marcus, Marcus! Just a short while ago you wouldn't even consider a conversion. My work is done here. B-)

[flaretired]

Emailed them and have a response. They claim they are DCC ready. If I win them will be asking a lot of questions on how to convert the B unit. Chuck 🙂

[beastranger]

Gee thanks a lot Marc. I wasn't planning on buying any N-scale, now I'm watching all that guys auctions for these sets. If they go for under $20 they are a steal. Punk

[untabubba]

Punk, I don't know about UNDER 20, but I got all three sets, and a couple SW8s, in the LOW 20s! Sorry, I didn't mean to knock you off the wagon! 😮 ]:) ;) I also built up quite a nice collection of MT freight cars from them too. Mind you, I am NOT a stickler about road names or anything. I just wanted to get some good quality rolling stock....cheap! I bet I bought 2 dozen MT cars and NEVER paid over 10 bucks for any of them. Marc - "The Devil Made Me Do It"

[untabubba]

Chuck, Glad they will meet your needs. I can promise you will not be disappointed with their performance! Now set up a few on "watch" and get ready to snipe! ]:) :D Marc

[untabubba]

Pete, These conversions are VERY simple "drop-ins"....especially if you "cheat" and buy the pre-made 1015/1016s! (I think that's the number.) And...yes, the knowledge has been passed from the Master to the Grasshopper! Marc 😄

[dl85vette]

I won one boxcar from that source and the shipping killed me. I wouldn't have minded the shipping cost so much if I won 10 cars for a good deal, but to submit bids on several cars and only win one and then pay $15 USD for shipping, then the car is no longer a bargain. Nothing against the seller but I don't look anymore even though they always seem to have a MTL Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific boxcar. :( One fave seller of mine got popular in the past year so I haven't won as much from him as I use to. Dave