blu67
Well-Known Member
Anyone know what the acronym "ABA" stands for in the scale model train world? I just can't seem to find any info...
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Model trains
- Thread starter blu67
- Start date
Cant help you on that so i will highjack your thread instead. :nut
My parents are moving from the house i grew up in and they are starting to clear all the contents. I totally forgot about this train set we had when we were kids. It has been hidding away for the last 15 years.
It was an awesome toy when I was a kid. Needless to say we are going to hang onto it.
My parents are moving from the house i grew up in and they are starting to clear all the contents. I totally forgot about this train set we had when we were kids. It has been hidding away for the last 15 years.
It was an awesome toy when I was a kid. Needless to say we are going to hang onto it.
ABA is a combination of diesel engines. There's the A engine which is the front and has windows that the engineer would look out then it could be followed by a B engine which has no "front". In real life it's just an extra set of motors. Typically a second A engine would then be spun around facing backwards behind the B. I think it's really more of an older style diesel engine. Google Lionel F3 ABA and you'll see what I mean.
Ponyman66
Yak, yak, yak
To add a little more, the "A" and "B"were actually part of the model designation for the specific locomotive types. For example one of the most common was the EMD "F" unit. They changed the designation with each major advance in the model line, e.g. the FT, F3, F7, F9. NYmustang hit it on the head by describing the "A" as having a cab and the "B" having none. If they had a cab on them you added "A", no cab got "B"in the model number, (FTA, FTB, F3A, F3B and so on).
The letter designation is just to show how they were placed together in the train. They could configure them in with an "A" and "B" unit (AB), multiple "B" units (AB, ABB) or a mix (ABA, ABBA). There was always an "A" unit though.
Probably more than you really wanted to know, right Chris? LOL
The letter designation is just to show how they were placed together in the train. They could configure them in with an "A" and "B" unit (AB), multiple "B" units (AB, ABB) or a mix (ABA, ABBA). There was always an "A" unit though.
Probably more than you really wanted to know, right Chris? LOL
blu67
Well-Known Member
Lol!!...No that's great. I'm selling an old set on eBay that was my grandfathers and when I looked it up for price comparison I saw ABA on one someone was selling but it was only one car of the set. I have all three so I started to worry that I was mis representing what I had. I'm not. Besides, those model train guys are a serious bunch. I'm sure someone would have corrected me....
kb3
Well-Known Member
"Ponyman66" said:
Looks like we have a foamer in our midst...... :roll
Ponyman66
Yak, yak, yak
"kb3" said:
Where's my Homer Simpson "Doh!" avatar when I need it! :roll
kb3
Well-Known Member
"Ponyman66" said:
Its ok....we get a kick out of rail fans. We own 9 RP20-BD locomotives....might be hard to find in the books tho.
tarafied1
Well-Known Member
what kind of engine is Thomas? Oh never mind, I see he is a tank engine. :hide
I have about 5 or 6 totes and several boxes from what's left of my HO train layout I had as a kid. My Grandfather worked for the L&N railroad (steam) and so I was fascinated with the the steam engines. Never got into the diesel loco's as a kid. I should dig my stuff out and see if it looks as good as Johnny's!
I have about 5 or 6 totes and several boxes from what's left of my HO train layout I had as a kid. My Grandfather worked for the L&N railroad (steam) and so I was fascinated with the the steam engines. Never got into the diesel loco's as a kid. I should dig my stuff out and see if it looks as good as Johnny's!
Ponyman66
Yak, yak, yak
"kb3" said:
Dunno if rail fan would be a good description or not. I come from a long line of railroad folks and was hired by UP as a Trainman out of the Avondale, La yard. My great uncle was an engineer for the Erie Lackawana and my father worked in a rail car repair business when I was really little. I ended up turning down the UP job and took a Federal LE job instead.
On the side that possibly does qualify me as a rail fan, myself and a friend from Cali created the California Zephyr Virtual Museum website due to lack of info on the original train. We proved research and materials from our own collections as well as received some help from several brick and mortar rail museums. We also provided technical assistance a film producer for a documentary on the CZ and to Disney's art and design folks when they were recreating the Zephyr for the California Adventureland attraction.
Sorry for getting off topic. Hell, I just love anything mechanical!!! :thu
p.s. The EMD F units have always been my favorite diesels...even if they were built by GM!