Recent Atlas FA-1 vs Life Like FA-1 Couplers

[turbowhiz]

Can someone confirm that the coupler mounting configuration on the recent Atlas FA-1 is identical to the older Life Like FA-1's?

I'm guessing since it looks like the shells swap out and the couplers being shell mounted they're the same, but maybe not? Are the ride heights on old/new chassis identical?

Thanks in advance!

[bigdawgks]

It's pretty similar, but Atlas has used screws instead of interference fit pins.

[bbussey]

It’s exactly the same tooling, other than Atlas using #00-90 screws instead of the original plastic clips.

[bigdawgks]

Ah yes I forgot about the clips. The rear coupler used a clip (similar to some Kato ones, but far more difficult to remove and install), and the front just a plastic pin. One thing I'll say is the mounts on my Life-Like models have some play in them, while the Atlas version seem to be much more secure. But I'm not sure if that's just due to wear from disassembly and reassembly on the LL ones vs the Atlas ones being factory new.

[bbussey]

I'm guessing since it looks like the shells swap out and the couplers being shell mounted they're the same, but maybe not? Are the ride heights on old/new chassis identical?

Yes the shells swap out.  Body shell parts are original tooling except for the windshield (the Atlas windshield wipers are in a different location than the Life-Like windshield wipers), I'm guessing retooled because the original tool was damaged beyond repair or lost.

Ride height is the same.  One bonus detail is that the original Life-Like shells had clear numberboards with the engine numbers printed on, so they are illuminated on the Atlas mechanism as are the Atlas numberboards.  F6 turns them on/off (AUX1 and AUX2); I programmed mine to default on.

[turbowhiz]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated, I can work with the LL examples I have in hand and know it will work on the recent production Atlas units too. The “box” design of the truck makes rear coupler clearance a problem on these models, so they are as good an excuse as any to work up the options for prototypical distance couplers for carbody type locomotives.

[bbussey]

For what it’s worth, the MTL Tru-Scale couplers allow the Atlas/Life-Like units to couple at scale length.

[turbowhiz]

For what it’s worth, the MTL Tru-Scale couplers allow the Atlas/Life-Like units to couple at scale length.

By my measurements, close to but not quite scale length. As best as I can tell looking at multiple drawings I dredged up online the coupler center line was 18” from the back on the FA1’s. My measurements are looking like the TSC’s are 3 scale inches too long to the center line, which works out to 1 mm too wide on a back to back coupled joint. Now if that’s being too anal maybe, but a 1 mm difference is noticeable enough to me in these circumstances.