New Haven HO Scale MTH HO Alco FA-1 A/B Set With Proto-Sound 3.0

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.

• Intricately Detailed ABS Bodies
• Metal Chassis
• Moveable Roof Fans
• Metal Body Side Grilles
• (2) Engineer Cab Figures
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• RP25 Metal Wheels
• (2) Operating Kadee Compatible Remote Controlled Proto-Couplers
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
• Directionally Controlled Constant voltage LED Headlights
• Lighted Cab Interior
• Illuminated Number Boards
• Lighted Marker Lights
• 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 Head/Tail light
  • F1 Bell
  • F2 Horn
  • F3 Start-up/Shut-down
  • F4 PFA
  • F5 Lights (except head/tail)
  • F6 Master Volume
  • F7 Front Coupler
  • F8 Rear Coupler
  • F9 Forward Signal
  • F10 Reverse Signal
  • F11 Grade Crossing
  • F12 Clickety Clack (On/Off)
  • F13 Idle Sequence 4
  • F14 Idle Sequence 3
  • F15 Idle Sequence 2
  • F16 Idle Sequence 1
  • F17 Extended Start-up
  • F18 Extended Shut-down
  • F19 Rev Up
  • F20 Rev Down
  • F21 One Shot Doppler
  • F22 Coupler Slack
  • F23 Coupler Close
  • F24 Single Horn Blast
  • F25 Engine Sounds
  • F26 Brake Sounds
  • F27 Cab Chatter
  • F28 Feature Reset
  • Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring: Freight Yard Proto-Effects
  • Unit Measures:14” x 1 3/8” x 2 1/16”
  • Operates On 22" Radius Curves