

Erie HO Scale MTH HO Alco FB-1 B Unit With Proto-Sound 3.0
Overview
The American Locomotive Company, one of the nation's premier steam locomotive builders, joined forces with Schenectady, New York neighbor General Electric to build the first standardized diesel-electric locomotives in the 1920s. But when the diesel revolution began in earnest after World War II, dependability problems with Alco's model 244 prime mover doomed the company to forever playing second fiddle to industry leader EMD.
The brawny good looks of Alco's FA and PA cab units, however, have endeared them to railfans and modelers for more than half a century. Designed to compete with EMD's FT four axel freight locomotive, the FA-1 contained many of the same design elements but used a new 12-cylinder 244 engine. With its distinctive flatnose cab and ribbed grille enclosed headlight, the FA-2's were considered by many rail fans to be more handsome and powerful looking then its F-3 and F-7 competitors. By pairing up with General Electric in the 1920's Alco inevitably condemned itself to ride on the coattails of EMD's F-series line.
Built by Alco and EMD in New York between 1946 and 1959, the FA-1 was designed primarily to haul freight, as they did not have the space at the rear of the engine compartment to accommodate a passenger-service steam generator. Externally as well as mechanically the FA-1, designed by Ray Patten, appeared very similar to the ALCO PA models built around the same time period. Distinguishable from the FA-2, the FA-1's shutters were at the far end of the carboydy, this was later changed to accommodate the steam generator that would be placed behind the radiator.
M.T.H. is proud to present the HO FA-1 in the unmistakable colors of Great Northern, Baltimore & Ohio, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley. These streamlined diesels will bring beauty and power to any HO layout. Each Alco FA-1 AB diesel set includes one twin-motored A unit and twin-motored B unit. The A unit has full directional lighting and both the A and B units feature 2 Scale Operating Kadee Compatible Coupler. Like all HO diesel locomotives, the set is equipped with the legendary power and performance of Proto-Sound 3.0.
Features
- Intricately Detailed ABS Body
- Metal Chassis
- Moveable Roof Fans
- Metal Body Side Grilles
- Authentic Paint Scheme
- Metal Wheels and Axles
- RP25 Metal Wheels
- (2) Operating Kadee Compatible Remote Controlled Proto-Couplers
- Powerful 5-Pole Precision Flywheel Equipped Skew-Wound Balanced Motor
- Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
- Operates On Code 70, 83 and 100 Track
- 1:87 Scale Proportions
Proto-Sound 3.0 equipped locomotives can be controlled in command mode with any DCC compliant command control system. While the user won't have access to all of the incredible features of Proto-Sound 3.0, independent control over the locomotive is possible. This means you can continue to use your existing DCC controller to independently control your other DCC equipped locomotives in addition to your Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotive on the same track at the same time.
When using a DCC controller, the following Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotive features are accessible:
- F0 Headlight
- F1 Bell
- F2 Whistle/Horn
- F3 Start Up/Shut Down
- F4 Rear Coupler
- F5 Front Coupler
- F6 Engine Sounds On/Off
- F7 Sound Volume
- F8 Ditch Lights Auto/On/Off
- F9 Forward Signal
- F10 Reverse Signal
- F11 Grade Crossing Signal
- F12 Cab Light On/Off
- F13 Extended Start Up
- F14 Extended Shut Down
- F15 Rev Up
- F16 Rev Down
- F17 Coupler Slack Sound
- F18 Coupler Close
- F19 One-Shot Doppler
- F20 Feature Reset
- F21 Idle Sequence 1
- F22 Idle Sequence 2
- F23 Idle Sequence 3
- F24 Ditch Lights Auto/On/Off
- F25 Brakes Auto/Off
- F26 Cab Chatter Auto/Off
- F27 Clickety-Clack Auto/Off
- F28 Coupler Slack Sound
- Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring: Freight Yard Proto-Effects
- Unit Measures:6 17/16" x 1 3/8" x 2 1/16"
- Operates On 18" Radius Curves