I was looking at the new 2015 Atlas O cataloge and noticed the following as part of the description for a Dash 8-40B:
"A" Unit include alternate full scale pilot for great look
Anybody know what this means? I couldn't find what designates an "A" unit.
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Refers to the front coupler that can be swapped for a scale one, I believe.
I think they include an extra pilot, but you have to dremel out some metal to make the swap, so there is no "going back" (converting back to swinging pilot). Its an irreversible proces....
An "A" unit means a unit with a cab, or maybe a powered unit in this case.
So they included a kit to convert it two rail operation then, well I won't be needing that 
Thanks for the help guys!
No, fixing a pilot won't make it run on two rail. it will still be a 3-rail loco, but with a fixed pilot. Placing the loco on 2-rail track will cause a short and it won't run.
Is that what you want, or not?
No, fixing a pilot won't make it run on two rail. it will still be a 3-rail loco, but with a fixed pilot. Placing the loco on 2-rail track will cause a short and it won't run.
Is that what you want, or not?
My bad Martin, your right - there's a little bit more that goes into a 2 rail conversion. I'm running 3 rail only - so if I fix the pilot I wonder if the minimum 036 still applies??
The 2R pilot turns the front of your engine from this:
To this:
These are 3R MTH models. The bottom is the -2 version that comes with fixed pilots. Atlas gives you the pilot to convert yourself. The older models did not come with the fixed pilot option, so doing it yourself would take hours.
I for one, and happy to see Atlas provide the 2R pilot.... it will save me a ton of time with my fleet.
An Atlas Dash 8
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