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The E1 was an early passenger-train diesel locomotive sporting 1800 HP, with
an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement, manufactured by Electro-Motive Corporation of La
Grange, Illinois. They were built during 1937 and 1938 for the ATSF Railway for
a new generation of diesel-powered streamlined trains. Eight cab-equipped lead
A-units and three cabless booster B-units were built. The initial three
locomotives were AB pairs built to haul the Santa Fe's Super Chief diesel
streamliners, while the others were built as single A-units to haul shorter
trains. The locomotives were diesel-electrics with two 900 hp (670kW) Winton
201-A engines each, with each engine driving its own generator to power the
traction motors. The E1 was the second model in a long line of passenger diesels
of similar design known as EMD E-units. All Winton 201A-engined Santa Fe
passenger units, including the E1s, were extensively rebuilt into the 80-class
E8M engines in 1952-53. These were similar to production E8 models, but reduced
to 2000 hp so as not to burn out the early traction (axle) motors (which were
reused).
The EA/EB and E1 featured nearly identical and innovative styling showing the
influence of the EMC's new buyer General Motors. While they had much
mechanically in common with previous experimental EMC locomotives, GM understood
the importance of looking new and exciting, not merely being technically
innovative. This basic "slant nose" style was continued in the subsequent E3,
E4, E5, and E6 models, while a more "bulldog nose" style was tried in the E2 and
a style somewhere in between was used in the E7, E8, and E9, as well as the
freight diesel cab units. It could fairly be said that the overall styling
influenced passenger locomotives around the world.
At more or less the same time, EMC built the EMC EA/EB locomotives for the B&O
Railroad. These hauled the Royal Blue, the Capitol Limited, and the National
Limited, in addition to others. B&O #52 was sold to Alton in 1940, and became a
GM&O locomotive in 1947. These EA/EB locomotives were quite similar in
appearance to the ATSF E1 models. In this production, Broadway Limited will
offer two detail arrangements of the ATSF E1 (pre-1946 and post-war), and we are
offering three ATSF paint schemes: a 1940 version with the as-delivered
red-orange color in place of the traditional red, a pre-1946 version with the
traditional red, and a post-war version. We are also offering models of the ATSF
E1s painted for the B&O Railroad and a single unit painted as GM&O #100A.
Industry-leading Model Features:
Paragon4 Sound & Control System featuring ROLLING THUNDER
Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for Superb Slow Speed Operation in DC
and DCC
Precision Drive Mechanism Engineered for Heavy Towing and Smooth Slow Speed
Operation
All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
Premium Caliber Painting
Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Grab Irons, Horn, Bell,
Wipers, and Etched Metal Grills
Prototypical Light Operation
Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the EMD E1 Diesel Locomotive
Metal Kadee-compatible Couplers (2)
Will Operate on Code 70, Code 83, and Code 100 Rail
Minimum Operating Radius: 18 inches
Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for
premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped
locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4
locomotive comes with BLI's own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon4
locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor
control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable
electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder
functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model
for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback,
and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited's Paragon3 Series
models.
Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:
Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
Built-In extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track
Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
Switcher Mode for precise low speed control
Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or
repeatedly for automatic operation
High Resolution Audio
Quillable Horn for various whistle lengths and patterns
Choice of 3 selectable Horns
Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam
whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal
Prime Mover sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings
**Specifications on this page subject to change.
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Effective October 1, 2025
Factory Direct Hobbies has a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after your item has shipped to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original packaging. All manuals, parts, and accessories must be included.
To start a return, visit our Returns Center. If your return is approved, we'll email you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted and will be returned to sender.
This applies to incorrect scale, color, size, or duplicate orders:
Returns of loose track, small components, O scale items, and special-order items incur a 15% restocking fee. Return shipping is deducted whether you choose store credit or a refund.
Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item, so we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have and place a new order for the replacement on our website. Please note that we cannot process manual exchanges over the phone.
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved.
Orders placed before this date follow the previous return policy.
If you have questions about a return or warranty, please contact our support team and include your order number so we can assist you quickly.
This Locomotive is beautiful. It sounds and runs great and has no problem with some of my tighter turns pulling 6 passenger cars.
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Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.
As our preorder offerings have grown, we’ve found that a large percentage of preorder reservations are canceled or left unpaid without notice. We pay our suppliers for every preorder item that arrives at our warehouse, so when a customer does not pay for their item, we are left no choice but to absorb that cost. We have tried our best to cope with the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so.
We understand that this is an unwelcome change, and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies. We must now ask that customers pay a 10% good-faith down payment toward the price of their item. This non-refundable good-faith payment is applied to the price of the product, and the balance (plus shipping and any applicable taxes) will be invoiced approximately 30-45 days before the item is slated to arrive at our warehouse.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.
The good-faith down payment is not refundable if you choose to cancel your preorder or do not pay your invoice.
However, if a manufacturer cancels a project for which you have made a down payment, you will receive a refund for your down payment.
Yes. We know that paying ahead of time can be unnerving when delivery dates are distant, and not every project makes it to the production line. Rest assured that, in the event the manufacturer cancels your preorder project, you will be refunded your 10% down payment.
Hobbies should be fun, not stressful!
The manufacturing process involves many different moving parts, and this complexity often renders production timelines unpredictable. Therefore, some level of unpredictability in timing is inherent to preordering hobby products. Down payments are not refundable in cases of routine manufacturing, delivery, or other short-term delays.
However, we know it can be frustrating when a project gets delayed for many months. In the event a project is delayed more than 6 months beyond the delivery window originally estimated by the manufacturer, we will handle refunds of down payments on a case-by-case basis.
Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.
Nope! The policy is not retroactive: if you already made a preorder reservation before this policy update, you do not owe a down payment for that reservation. However, any future preorders you make will require the 10% good-faith down payment.
We make every effort to keep our website updated with information that reflects manufacturers' current estimated delivery schedules. To find the estimated delivery month of an item, you can visit our Preorder Section and use the filters to narrow down your selection.
However, we encourage you to directly visit the manufacturer's site for the most current delivery dates.
Approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse, we'll email your invoice to you to pay in full. At this point, you'll be able to provide your shipping address and select your preferred shipping method.
Your item will be reserved for 7 days, beginning when your invoice is sent. After 7 days, your preorder will be canceled.
Recently, our suppliers have made a major policy change and are no longer accepting product returns for non-paying end customers. We have tried our best to absorb the effects of this change; however, after more than a year of trying, we have found we cannot continue to do so. After much consideration, we unfortunately must also change our policies to align with the realities our suppliers have created.
As a result, we must now ask that customers pay in full prior to the supplier finalizing shipment to FDH, about 30-45 days ahead of product arrival. This gives us the time we need to cancel with our suppliers any unpaid orders prior to shipment.
We understand that this is an unwelcome change and no one wants to pay earlier than necessary. However, this is unavoidable in order for us to be able to continue to offer the wide variety of preorder options you’re used to getting from Factory Direct Hobbies.
One silver lining is that this change will result in preorder items getting to your door even faster, as all payment processing will be well out of the way and the usual several day wait after product has arrived will be eliminated. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or would like further clarification, feel free to contact us through the gold chat bubble.
Manufacturing schedules can sometimes be unpredictable. In the event your preorder item does not arrive at our warehouse within 60 days of your invoice payment, then you will have the option to cancel your preorder and receive a refund OR you may elect to continue waiting for the item.
Friendly Reminder: Should you choose to cancel a preorder, it will no longer be reserved for you; in the event the item becomes available on our website, all customers will have equal access to purchase the item.
We know life happens, and missing out on a great item can be a drag!
We're here to help; just contact us via the gold chat bubble and we'll do all we can to work with you!
If you have an account with factorydirecthobbies.com, you can view all your preorders, as well as your active orders. Login to your account, and select the “My orders” option. All your preorders and active orders will be listed along with the current status of each order. If you have further questions about your order, please feel free to reach out to us through the gold chat bubble.
Although we try to keep our preorder arrival estimates as accurate as possible, we encourage you to visit each manufacturer’s website to find the most up-to-date delivery information.
For instance, with Athearn and Walthers, you can enter the part number into their websites and navigate to the item. Most of the time, the delivery date will be listed there. Broadway Limited has a published delivery schedule, as does Rapido.
Yes. Rewards can be used on both your 10% good-faith down payment and on the balance of your preorder at invoicing time.
Yes! Preorders are awarded reward dollars at the same 5% rate. You'll receive your reward within several days of paying the balance of your preorder invoice.
If we still haven't answered your question, please click the gold messaging bubble in the bottom right of our site, and we'll help in any way we can!
