Mating MTH FA-2 with dummy and motorized A unit

What's wrong with the one you have?  If the two A units work together, what's the problem?

I have several MTH A-B-A sets of this vintage.  None of them are UP.  The problem is that all the command electronics are in the front A unit.  The rear A unit's motors, lights, etc., get all their commands through the tether from the front A unit.  If I understand the post, lewrail only has the rear A unit.  It does not have any command electronics.  In other words, the rear unit won't do anything without the front A unit tethered to it.  

I would suggest that you call a major MTH dealer and see if you can find a matching front A unit.  Several of these dealers advertise on the forum.  Another option is to have either a MTH or Lionel command system installed your A unit.  A third option is to take out the motors and run the rear A unit as a dummy.  NH Joe  

I looked again, and you're right, so he's kinda' SOL without a command unit.  Don't know how I missed that obvious point!

Can one find a dummy fa slave board 5v or a master 3.0 boad for another  aba f unit with slave engine  that seems to be a problem with tethered aba's

He could just take this A unit he has and upgrade it to PS3? 

New Haven Joe you are right on.  Unless I get really lucky and find an A unit which will mate with my Dummy B and semi-Dummy A. I'll probably have to perform a lobotomy and convert the semi-Dummy to a real dummy.

Thanks.

Lew Schneider

PS-2 Slave boards are available and also repairable I do have them.  PS-2 slaves are the same 5V or 3V.  PS-3 Slave is much different and does not work with PS-2.  MTH moved away from Slave PS-3.  For the original poster:  If you have the same vintage Powered A from another set you can use that to run and test your Slave A unit.   Also, you could upgrade your Slave A to full PS-32 or PS-3.  There by having a Leading A and dummy B.  You have choices here.  G

Thanks G i will email you today or tomorrow 

I don't see how the slave A could be upgraded since all the command and control stuff is in the A unit. Nor do I know whether the slave is 3 V or 5 V (as you can see I'm no techie). Is it possible that FTs or F3s might mate with the FA2?

Yes they will, an upgrade kit gives the necessary components to make the SLAVE a powered Command unit.  Replace the slave board with a command board.  I have done this plenty of times.  G