MTH 80-2212-5 FA-1 A/B St w/Snd3E+ ERIE – Your Source for Gaming Essentials* Trains

Description

This is MTH 80-2212-5 FA-1 A/B St w/Snd3E+ ERIE. Alco FA-1 A/B set with Proto-Sound 3E+ (3-rail), Erie. A unit number: 725A; B unit number: 725B. 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 Alcos FA-1 and successor FA-2 diesels were both handsomer and more powerful looking than their major competitors, EMDs 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).

Its key features are:
Intricately detailed ABS body
Metal chassis
Moveable roof fans
Metal body side grilles
Two engineer cab figures
Authentic paint scheme
Metal wheels and axles
NEM 340 metal wheels
Two NEM 360/362 coupler & pocket assemblies
Two hook & chain coupler assemblies
#18 U.S. Kadee coupler compatible
Prototypical Rule 17 lighting
Directionally controlled constant voltage LED headlight
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
1:87 scale proportions
Proto-Sound 3.0 with The Digital C

Condition: Factory New (C-9)
Operational Status: Functional
Original Box: Yes (P-9)

Manufacturer: MTH
Model Number: 80-2212-5
Road Name: Erie (ERIE)
MSRP: $529.95

Scale/Era: HO Scale
Model Type: Diesel Loco

The Trainz SKU for this item is P11980091.

Trainz Product Id: 11980091