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.
Rapido’s all-new HO scale FT locomotive models have many features
never offered before in an FT model. These include a close coupling
system to keep the A and B units close together on straights, yet still
allow operation on model railroad curves. Units can be coupled with
either a drawbar connection or couplers, mimicking the prototype. Three
versions of dynamic brake hatch will be offered. Three- and four-digit
lighted number boards will also be produced. Many road-specific details
will be made including different nose door arrangements, unique pilot and
truck details, as well as rebuilt number boards. Full underbody details will
be offered, including the massive coupler draft gear at each end of each
A+B Set. A complete cab interior rounds off the model.
Power will be provided by Rapido’s proven five-pole motor with dual
flywheels, backed up with our MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted
operation. All models will be DCC-ready, and sound-equipped models will
feature ESU V5 decoders and full lighting effects as appropriate.
Rapido’s New FT 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
* For the first time ever in plastic!
• Featuring the Mo-Power capacitor system!