I picked up some Weaver ALCO FA-2 shells I liked but I don't have bodies for them. Im just wondering if a Williams FA-1 body would fit the shell without a whole bunch of modifications. I know that the plow on the weaver version is fixed and the Williams isn't but just seeing if anyone has tried this. If anyone has Weaver FA-2 Bodies or engines they would like to sell I am willing to buy them as long as they are 3 rail.
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So just to understand what you want to do is. Place the Weaver shells on a Williams FA1 frame, correct?
Just so you understand. The Weaver FA2 are scale size. The Williams FA2 are not scale. The Williams FA1 are scale. The Weaver shells will fit on the FA1 frame. You will need to remove the pilots from the Williams trucks.
Are the Weaver shells you picked up damaged where the screws thread in? Every one I have is. I bought a couple of extra shells once (thank God I didn't spend a lot) and forgot to ask if the threads for the screws were damaged and sure enough every single one was damaged. If your shells aren't damaged then be very careful to keep them that way. It doesn't take much.
I don't have any Williams locomotives so I don't know how the shell mounts on the body but it has got to be better than the way Weaver did it. Don't get me wrong I like of a lot of Weaver's stuff but the design for the FA, RS3 and GP38 shells leaves a lot to be desired. If it were me I would look for a Weaver body.
Good luck with your project.
If, as one member says, the Williams FA-1 is scale sized, the Weaver FA-2 shell will not fit, as the Alco FA-2 is longer than the FA-1.
Jeff C
Yeah sorry I meant Williams FA1 body and Weaver FA2 shell. I picked up the shells at the Weaver sale, they are New Havens in the orange and silver pinstripe scheme. It might me too much of a project for me but was just a thought it might work.
The FA1 is about 3-4 scale feet shorter than the FA2. So if the Williams Frames you have are scale, they would fit under the Weaver shell theoretically. to be more accurate, you may want to get diagrams of each and extend the wheelbase on the Williams mech.
You may have come up with your own mounting for the shells too.
I just today cut up a Willams base for an E8 for a Weaver shell.
Perhaps you could do the same for FA they are a lot shorter.
Just added a filler piece in the middle of the metal frame.
You do not really need to screw down the body it slips on nice and stays pretty tight.
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