Rapido - HO Scale - ALCo FA-2 - Phase Ia w/Dynamic Brake - DCC w/Sound - Ann Arbor (AA) #56 - Blue/Gray/Cream/Yellow Delivery Scheme (SKU 224-21556)
Available On: June 1, 2020
The FA-2 (Alco model DL-212) was Schenectady’s response to the ubiquitous EMD F7 that was swiftly becoming the locomotive of choice for many freight and passenger railroads. The FA-2 was intended for freight service while the FPA-2 (Alco model DL-213A) included a steam generator and obligatory large water tank for heating passenger cars. The Rapido models have the correct details for each version. Delivered between October 1950 (Erie 736A) and June 1956 (L&N 211), a total of 283 FA-2 and FPA-2 locomotives were built by Alco in Schenectady, New York for 12 different American railroads.
A further 51 FA-2 and FPA-2 locos were built under licence by Montreal Locomotive Works for CP, CN and NdeM. Each 1600-HP unit had a 12-cylinder Alco 244 prime mover. Although not as reliable as EMD’s competition, largely due to the underperforming 244 engine, the FA-2 firmly established itself in second place with a large number of locomotives surviving into the 1970s in service, especially in Canada.
When it comes to the FA-2 and FPA-2 locomotives, one size definitely does not fit all. There were substantial variations from railroad to railroad.
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