Description
General Motors’ FT diesels were truly game changers. They could well be considered the first successful diesel road locomotive, and initial success with FTs convinced many steam-era railroads to start retiring steam and dieselize their fleets. The FT introduced EMD’s iconic bulldog nose to the world, a design that would carry over onto thousands of E- and F-series locomotives, as well as others worldwide.
The first FTs were built for the Santa Fe at the end of 1940 and early 1941. Additional units were delivered to US railroads across the country until production ended in 1945. During its production life 555 FT A-units were built along with 541 FT B-units, with many lasting in service into the 1960s. Equipped with EMD’s 567 prime mover, each single unit was rated at 1,350
horsepower. Most ran as semi-permanently coupled 2,700 horsepower A+B sets, but some roads (like the Santa Fe) had couplers installed on both ends of all units for maximum flexibility.
Like many locomotives, the FT fleet underwent numerous modifications and rebuilds during its service life. Many road-specific changes would appear, including changes to number boards, pilots, cooling systems and more.
The Rapido Trains HO scale New FT locomotive features:
- * Close-coupling system for great appearance on straights and curves
- * Drawbar or coupler connections between A and B units
- * Multiple styles of number boards, installed as appropriate
- Correct nose and windshield contours
- Three styles of dynamic brake hatch, installed as appropriate
- Steam generator hatch installed as appropriate
- Etched side and fan screens
- • Heavy, die-cast chassis
- 5-pole motor with dual flywheels
- * Working headlights, ground lights, number boards and back-up lights
- * Full underbody details including piping and draft gear
- Separate grab irons and handrails
- * Numerous road-specific details
- * Full, multi-color interior
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) options
- Accurate sounds
