Canadian Pacific HO Scale MTH HO Alco FB-1 B Unit With Proto-Sound 3E+

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. Many would argue that Alco's FA-1 and successor FA-2 diesels were both handsomer and more powerful looking than their major competitors, EMD's F3 and F7 "covered wagons." A signature feature of Alco cab units was the striking ribbed grille surrounding the headlight. And while FAs were sold primarily as freight haulers, like EMD's F-units they had room for a passenger-service steam generator at the rear of the engine compartment.

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 FA-1 in classic first-generation diesel paint schemes. 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.

For those who have operated Marklin HO AC 3-rail trains in the past, choosing a Proto-Sound 3E+ equipped model will give you an opportunity to run sound-equipped North American prototypes on your railroad with your Marklin DCC command control system.

Outfitted with NEM 311 wheels and NEM 365 couplers, each of these engines feature an all-new version of Proto-Sound 3.0, contain a third rail sliding shoe for use with Marklin HO stud rail and can operate on AC or DC power. Like their 3.0 counterparts, Proto-Sound 3E+ locomotives feature full digital sound, speed control, 28 DCC functions, hundreds of DCS sounds and features and a command control receiver for use with Marklin DCC control systems. Unlike their 3.0 counterparts, Proto-Sound 3E+ locomotives cannot operate on standard 2-rail track. They only operate on HO (3-Rail) Stud Rail track (ie: Marklin C or K track).

• Intricately Detailed ABS Body
• Metal Chassis
• Moveable Roof Fans
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• NEM 340 Metal Wheels
• (2) NEM 360/362 Coupler & Pocket Assemblies
• (2) Hook & Chain Coupler Assemblies
• #18 U.S. Kadee Coupler Compatible
• Powerful 5-Pole Precision Flywheel Equipped Skew-Wound Balanced Motor
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
• 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"
  • Only Operates On HO Stud (3-rail) Track (ie: Marklin C or K Track)
  • Operates On R2 (437.5mm) Radius Curves