Modeling Layout Visits Abandoned Western Pacific FTA-B units

Abandoned Western Pacific FTA-B units

By Angela Cotey | June 6, 2016

| Last updated on November 7, 2022

Watch this video posted by a fellow model railroader

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A rare find of a Western Pacific FTA-B units. Neglected for decades, the unique locomotives have roof-mounted number boards and wagon wheel antennae. The B-unit’s rear headlight came from a former steam locomotive.

Being fascinated with the extreme weathering done by military modelers, Bruce Kingsley gave their methods a shot on a pair of small HO gauge locomotives. He stripped the locomotives down to bare plastic, and added many body details, even the grab iron bolts. During a four-week period, he weathered them using products mostly from AK Interactive. Unlike traditional model train weathering, this project took much more time and patience. For example, if you zoom into the picture, you can see the paint chips are real, not simulated. Both locomotives are fully operational and are equipped with LokSound DCC decoders.

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