Review and Photos by Harry K. Wong
Overshadowed by its more glamorous six-axle big sister — the PA-1 passenger diesel — the Alco FA-1 and cabless FB-1 were the stubbier four-axle siblings designed primarily for freight service. Built during an age when aesthetic design mattered even for heavy industrial applications, the graceful lines of the PAs and FAs were first penned by industrial designer Ray Patten of General Electric. Between January 1946 and October 1950, 445 FA-1s and 249 FB-1s were produced by American Locomotive Company (Alco) of Schenectady, N.Y., and its Canadian subsidiary Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW). Within the carefully sculpted carbody of each FA and FB was a turbocharged 16-cylinder 244-series prime mover rated at 1,500 hp. Many were later uprated to 1,600 hp, with many serving into the late 1960s until they were replaced by higher-horsepower and more versatile road switchers.
Continuing its series of streamlined midcentury Alco diesel models, Rapido Trains is now offering highly detailed replicas of the Alco FA-1 and FB-1 freight locomotives for HO scale in multiple road- and era-specific renditions. Ten different road names are available in this initial release.
Our models for this review represent Union Pacific Alco FA-1 UP 1624 with matching cabless “booster” FB-1 1636B. Constructed as UP 1542A in February 1948, the FA-1 was renumbered to 1624 before entering service. Similarly, UP 1636B was built in September 1948, and traded back to Alco a year later. In total, UP operated 44 FA-1s and 44 FB-1s, and all were retired by the end of 1965.
Under the hood of the new Rapido Trains FA-1 in HO scale.
Each model features a plethora of details including see-through etched metal side grilles with hidden support crossmembers, an open exhaust stack, separately applied metal lift rings, finely scaled vertical metal handrails, intercooler piping, brass single-chime air horns, etched metal windshield wipers, cab mirrors, a multicolor painted cab interior, speed recorder with cable, m.u. hoses, and much more. Notably, the cab window glass is perfectly clear with a thin cross section. Paint application is excellent, with the pad-printed lettering and striping sharp and opaque.
Beneath the side sills are underframe details including air piping, traction motor conduits, two fully plumbed air reservoirs, battery compartments, and the fuel tank. The brake cylinders and brake lines are separately applied onto each of the AAR Type B truck side frames. On the underside of each truck is a representation of the traction motor housings molded into the gearbox cover under each wheelset.
Included is a poly bag containing additional parts to further customize each locomotive, including an alternate “early” cross-wise turbo exhaust stack, and diaphragm extensions cast in hard plastic. The FA also includes sunshade visors for the cab interior and green and white flags to adorn the cab if desired.
