LifeLike FA/B-1

[N_DaveS]

Greetings,

Longtime lurker, first-time poster here.

Does anyone have any experience with the LifeLike FA/B-1? Klein's has some for a very low price and I wanted to get an idea of their quality/performance before pulling the trigger.

Thanks for your help with this!

Dave

[Frank Amato]

Dave, welcome to the forum!  These are fantastic locos.  Smooth runners and you can pull tree stumps with them!

Unless the split-frame design has been updated, decoder installation involves some cutting/grinding, or just send them to Aztek and save yourself the hassle.

  Frank

[wm3798]

These are outstanding.  Smooth running, powerful pullers.  The B unit requires no grinding for a decoder... it sits in the "cab" end of the frame.  A litte nip and tuck is required for the A.  I've done a few, and there's not a lot of brain science there.

Lee

[N_DaveS]

Thank you, gentlemen! I have pulled the trigger. I had heard good things about LL locos but at $30 for two powered units I wanted to make sure, especially since the last time I was active in N scale (20 years ago) LifeLike was anything but.

Now I've got to get back to work on a layout for them...

Dave

[wcfn100]

Yes, great models, especially for the prices you can get them for.


From the 'someday to complete' file.



I think I got stuck on the handrails...but it's been so long, who knows.

Jason

[CBQ Fan]

Heck of a deal.  I don't really need any but may have to get a pair just to have!

[Wlal13again]

I have a LNE set I bought for almost nothing at a train show about 5 years ago. Best deal I ever made..

[brokemoto]

LL FA s are excellent power.  The slow speed control is excellent, the pulling power is excellent, the appearance is good and they are durable.  MT conversion is simple:  1015/1016.  The FA-2s, the FM C-liners and Eries, E-units, PAs and DL-109s also receive the same rave reviews.  I would recommend them to anyone.

The only drawback to the LL cab units is that if you use MTs between the units the gap appears a bit wide.  You can resolve this with UniMates or by fashioning a drawbar.  The latter is not a difficult task.

LL also issued some FA-2s in plastic frame.  They were good for their time, but they have since been superceded.  If the roadname for FA-2s that you want is not available in metal frame, the shells from the plastic frame will go onto the metal frame with a minimum of work.  LL also issued E-8s, E-7s, E-6s and PAs in plastic frame, but with flywheels (the FA-2s lacked flywheels).  These were very good power and can still be found at shows and some dealers have them as NOS.  Those were probably amoung the best bargains in N scale power out there.

LL has come a L-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-NG way over the years.  Walthers recently bought out their model railroad product line.

Anyhow, a loud recommendation for the LL FAs.

[inkaneer]

My FA's will pull a ton.  However, that does not appear to be the case for the C liners.  I was disappointed with them at the last set up.  They could not pull as much as the FA/B 1's.  I also have the older plastic frame FA/B 2's which also can pull a ton.  I would like to see which pulls more but I'm afraid I don't have enough rolling stock.

[absnut]

And it appears they're all gone! ??? :'(

[Puddington]

My FA's will pull a ton.  However, that does not appear to be the case for the C liners.  I was disappointed with them at the last set up.  They could not pull as much as the FA/B 1's.  I also have the older plastic frame FA/B 2's which also can pull a ton.  I would like to see which pulls more but I'm afraid I don't have enough rolling stock.

Really; wow.... my C Liners will pull the teeth out of an elephant..... heavy; strong and run like a champ.... My FA's are good too, but the C Liners are some of the best pullers I have - 45 cars; plus at a show in 2007, as I recall; not a slip or slide...

Ya just never know..............

[inkaneer]

My FA's will pull a ton.  However, that does not appear to be the case for the C liners.  I was disappointed with them at the last set up.  They could not pull as much as the FA/B 1's.  I also have the older plastic frame FA/B 2's which also can pull a ton.  I would like to see which pulls more but I'm afraid I don't have enough rolling stock.

Really; wow.... my C Liners will pull the teeth out of an elephant..... heavy; strong and run like a champ.... My FA's are good too, but the C Liners are some of the best pullers I have - 45 cars; plus at a show in 2007, as I recall; not a slip or slide...


Ya just never know..............

Yeah, I thought the C liners were good pullers also but at the Ohio N Scale Weekend event they just spun their wheels while the FA/B's just walked away with the train.  I'll get to try them again at Bedford.

[Chris333]

Back when they first came out with them, the FA-1's were on e-bay for $29/set all day long.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1063289149044296030nziZoH

[wes_sutton]

Can't understand why Walthers haven't given these and the FA-2s another run. I don't think Lifelike ever got around to covering all the possible paint schemes?

[wm3798]

Here's the set I put decoders in.  Real nice runners.


Lee