Weaver Scale Alco FA-2/FB-2 (Rare?) Set - Not what you think - Please Help

Those are not particularly rare, I don't think.    Weaver converted the FA/FB, RS3, and GP38 to the 2 motor drives made in China some years before they closed  up.     They made 2 and 3 rail versions.     Since the entire mechanical stuff was imported, the locos were no longer US made.  

I don't think they run as smoothly as single motor drives especially at slow speeds and starting and stopping.    But they do go around sharper curves more readily.   They are also have much higher speeds based on some work I did on a pair for a friend - who liked running his stuff FAST.

So there are a lot out there if you look.    Weaver even had a program to replace the drives in older units, which benefitted me a lot.   I was able to buy about a dozen of the old single motor drives at a very good price for conversion projects.

I think these drives are probably much the same as the ones used by Weaver in the RS11 and U25 models they imported.    And they may have used them in others.

Those boards look like ERR RS4 sound and possibly a R2LC to the left of it , did weaver use any Lionel boards?

Thank you for the information.

Yes, I notice the box said assembled in USA, as opposed to Made in USA.

The reason I made the rare statement is I have been buying on "that auction site" over the past year and have seen VERY few of these (especially 3R).  At any given time there are 15 - 50 of the chain drive units available.

I haven't been in the hobby long, so maybe the Original Weaver chain drive complete Units are Fine (I have had none).  I accidently acquired a P&D Conversion from an online place that sells a LOT of used O scale.  They shipped me the wrong item, after inspection it went back!  I like to learn things.

The one I received was was "garbage".  Both towers were cracked, the sprung Brass Trucks were Gorgeous, but didn't hold the axles in proper alignment.  Obviously it was NOT assembled correctly and caused binding in the mechanism which resulted in the failures.  This gave me a VERY bad impression of that drive system.  As a display piece it was beautiful (if you can over look a drive shaft hanging under the Loco).  These are suppose to be models of Diesel Electric Locos not Trucks (they have drive shafts).  As an operating Loco "garbage" is the polite term.

Also, my experience with industrial chain drives is, they are noisy as heck and high maintenance.  Being a Mechanical Design Engineer for over 40 years taught me undue complexity equals poor design.  Thus my somewhat un-warranted bias against these Locos.  If someone gave me a properly assembled one, and I could run it with minimal maintenance for a few years, then my mind would be changed.

Older boards, with the tack-strip, Probably  TAS Train America Studio, EOB  Engineer on Board, using Lionel licensed boards.   There should be instruction detail for this drive system.  Lionel TMCC etc

Thanks guys for the info.  I really wish they had the instruction book.  Drives me crazy they really appear to have no run time.

@Ron_S posted:

Those boards look like ERR RS4 sound and possibly a R2LC to the left of it , did weaver use any Lionel boards?

Yes Weaver did get the license to use TMCC and Railsounds when Dick Maddox asked other MFGs if they wanted to get on board with TMCC/Railsounds. Hence another reason why the Drive change in Weaver Locomotives. The 3 railers liked the new drive. The 2 rail Scale people liked the older drive.

Wish I could help you on this one.  I have 6 Weaver FA/FB2s and they are all the older chain drive.  5 are PRR and one is NYC. Decent models for their time.  Just wish my PRR ones had the correct details, but that is something I can add later.

My preference is the older chain drive.  Honestly don't think there is a right answer on that one. 

Jim....sent you an email. Your engine is a TMCC TAS with Lionel boards.Looks to be EOB early cruise control. This is called a modular TMCC that can be upgraded to ERR cruise control. I have this engine with QS 2 plan to upgrade mine to a ERR cruise commander. GRJ tells me with  a slight mod it will drive all four motors through a tether to the B unit. Take a look at ERR's web site. The cruise Commander m manual explains a lot.

Richard

@GG1 4877 posted:

My preference is the older chain drive. 

...+1... absolutely. All my Weaver diesels (all single motor, chain drive) are smooth running and very quiet. 👍

Mark in Oregon

Jim, I have the Railsounds board labeled “OEMALCO” if you’d like to swap for the C420 board that’s in there.

It’s Alco prime mover with single-tone horn.

You can hear them here, I put them in an FT hoping it would sound like a worn out EMD.🙃

thanks!

- Mario

Thank you very much to ALL for the info.  Being such a novice when I bought this, I didn't even realize it had sound!

The seller said tested, runs and sounds good.  Well I took that to mean it didn't make strange noises when operated.  No, I am serious.  Anyhow now at least I understand that the number I gave identifies the Sound File on the chip.  On the bottom side of that board the chip says RS27D012 so I guess that means it has Railsounds 4.0, correct?

So basically, based on the information above, it is a Lionel in a Weaver Body.  So is the main board also the same as Lionel?  Is there information somewhere that explains the pin-out for that board?  As I mentioned, would like to make the front marker lights and number boards functional/lit.  Anyhow feel a lot less need for the instruction manual now.

Richard - Thank you, I will check my E-mail and spend some time learning about TMCC now that I own a Loco with it!

Mario - I will keep your information for a possible trade at some point.  Once I have a way to test it out, I can let you know.  Just out of curiosity can these chips be "reprogramed" to another Sound File?  Are you the same Mario that does the super detailed interiors?  If so have you done a Cab for one of these?

I have to admit I am surprised at what this Loco sells for vs a Lionel, unless I stumbled into a crazy good deal (thought I might have).  I bought this for the same price that the chain drive units sell for.  Since there are many that think the chain drive is superior to this maybe I got "ripped-off".  But to me it makes no sense, as both my units are Powered with Sound and Dual RR Electro-couplers and the price is a fraction of what a NIB Scale EMD F3 Lionel unit sells for.  Although admittedly the Lionel's are much more detailed.

Jim....Older 0 gauge 101...Weaver and Kline products.  No support, no repairs, no parts =lower cost ..because all work is by you. 

Now ...I like them because I like to tinker. And the lionel boards are for the most part still available. There are people that can work on them...but$$$. When I say TAS I mean Train America Studios a company that is no longer in business. They packaged mother boards that controlled the motors and used Lionel receiver (R2lC), sound boards, and sound power supply boards in these models. Bottom line is if you have a mechanically sound locomotive you can round up what  you need to make a good addition to your fleet. if you understand how all this works. I am a Lionel post war collector and still pull these out of my collection and run then in conventional meaning raising and lowering the AC voltage to run and turning if off and on for direction.

Now ...as an example. I have a Kline scale Pennsy K4. Bought it for less than $250.00 in like new condition. It has the EOB cruise that I have configured  using documents available from OGR and is my favorite  large steamer Runs goods, sounds good. I like it. Will it run forever, most likely not. Is this a good deal? Right now it is.

Richard

Richard - Thank you I really appreciate your help.  I like to learn and tinker, so that is why I am trying to learn all I can about the various 3R control systems.  While in HO just stuck with DC never went to DCC.  Since this has sound and cruise control, would like to take advantage of that "I guess?"

When something breaks around the house I never call a repair person.  Prior to the internet I would just disassemble, figure out what part it needed, then call around to find who had the part, and then go get it.  The internet has actually made it easier, unless it's the Furnace, and it is below zero.

I have no idea what the current term is for what you mention, but I call it "sweat equity"!

So far for O scale everything is used, most 10 to 30 years old.  When I start buying track, may have to resort to New but only if I can't find good used.

Thanks again!

Jim...sounds good. To be honest all I have is a 8x8 plywood large 072 oval for testing. I am sticking with Lionel track for now but that may change soon. I do like to run this stuff,and not just in a circle. Have a good night,

Richard