A.C. Gilbert Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF) PA-1

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Notes:

The PA was A.C. Gilbert's first diesel model, with Santa Fe being the first road name used. The first paint scheme was the all-chrome one, then later the Warbonnet version was added. The red-and-silver paint scheme was introduced later and was manufactured for 12 years. Both A- and B-units were made. The #360/#361 set of the A-B-units, shown in the photo, were cataloged as "#362" (shown in the catalog with red stripe and the Santa Fe Warbonnet). Of the six variations, only three have the Warbonnet. The unit in the photo without the Warbonnet is unusual as is it has a yellowish chrome-finish with wire handrails. It was produced for only a few months in 1950 making it the rarest of all of the #360/361.

Set Running on Carey Williams' Layout

Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

365

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1953

Road Number(s):

360, 364

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

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Notes:

A PA-1 and PB-1 set.

The consist running on the layout, by Precision Flyer Repair.

The engines running light on a test loop of track.

Christian runs the engines on the inner loop of his layout.

Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

4713

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1953

Road Number(s):

470, 471, 473

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

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Notes:

The PA/PB Santa Fe units were produced from 1953 through 1958. Only the 1953 unit, shown in the photos, has the chrome finish with the red Warbonnet. Starting in 1954, the Santa Fe chrome finish was changed to a satin silver finish with a red Warbonnet, as there were issues with the chrome finish which tended to chip and flake off.

Doing a test run of the engine.

The consist running on Precision Flyer Repairs' layout.

Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

472

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1956

Road Number(s):

472

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

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Notes:

PA unit by itself.

Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

4856

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1956

Road Number(s):

484, 485, 486

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

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Notes:

Produced through 1957. Only #484 was powered. The body is painted yellow, blue, with a black roof.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

48456

Additional IDs:

21910, 21720, 21929, 20380

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1956

Road Number(s):

484, 485, 486

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

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Photo

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Notes:

This is an PA-PB-PA set. For two years A.C. Gilbert made this version of the PA in the Santa Fe "Freight" paint scheme. The locomotive features twin motors in the 484, "diesel roar" and "air chime" whistle in the non-powered 485 B-unit, and a headlight in the 486 non-powered A-unit. All three units have knuckle couplers front and rear. Variations: metal steps held on by two rivets or one eyelet. This same locomotive set came in late 1957 and 1958 as a five-digit numbered engine: ID #21910, road numbers: 21910 (A-unit with twin motors), 21910-1 (B-unit with horn and roar), and 21910-2 (non-powered A-unit). A separate B-unit was made. #21720 with horn and roar, very uncommon and sometimes found in a box marked 21910-1. In 1960 apparently some left-over 484 and 486 A-A locomotives (no B unit) were sold as ID #21929 (uncataloged engine). #20380 was a three-unit set sold in 1956 and 1957.

The engines running on a temporary floor set-up.

Servicing this model (part 1 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Servicing this model (part 2 of 2), by Neil Ferris.

Restoring a Set of the 5-digit Version (part 1 of 2)

Restoring a Set of the 5-digit Version (part 2 of 2)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

21927

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1959

Road Number(s):

21720

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

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Notes:

This is a PA-1 only, produced through 1962. The last two years they were sold without a front coupler.

Disassembly and Repair

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

21910

Prototype Info

Category:

PA-1

Year/Era:

1946

Manufacturer:

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1958

Road Number(s):

21910, 21910-1, 21910-2

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

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