World War II had come to an end, and in America the race to dieselize the railroads was on. History tells us Electro-Motive came to dominate the post-war diesel market, but the historic American Locomotive Works (Alco) put on a competitive and memorable showing.
Among Alco’s most admired diesel locomotives was the freight-service streamlined “FA” series, of which more than 1,200 were constructed – and which is now available for Train Simulator!
The Alco FA cab and accompanying booster FB were designed to compete head-to-head with EMD’s extraordinarily successful “F” series. Powered by Alco’s 244-series 12-cylinder powerplant and equipped with electrical equipment from Alco partner General Electric, the FA introduced a “flat-faced” but nonetheless exceptionally attractive carbody style.
The first FA1s, rated at 1,500-horsepower, rolled off Alco’s Schenectady (New York) production line in January 1946. The FA1/FB1 would remain in production through 1950 and account for 694 sales to 24 railroads. In late 1950, Alco debuted the FA2/FB2, which featured a power increase to 1,600-horsepower. The FA2/FB2 remained in production through 1956 and accounted for an additional 528 units sold to 18 railroads.
The Pennsylvania Railroad, which had purchased 16 FA1/FB1s between 1946 and 1950, acquired 36 FA2/FB2s in 1951, and the diesels could be most often found working the eastern end of the sprawling PRR system. Pennsy’s FA1/FB1s remained on the PRR roster until 1965, while the FA2/FB2s were retired in 1967 on the eve of the PRR-NYC merger
DTM has now brought this long-awaited first-generation diesel classic – in Pennsylvania’s classic Brunswick Green “single stripe” livery – to Train Simulator! The add-on includes both the PRR FA1/’FB1 and FA2/FB2, all masterfully re-created with great fidelity to details, realistic operating characteristic, and authentic sounds. And the diesel locomotives are accompanied in this pack by a wonderful and distinctive selection of authentic Pennsy rolling stock, including PRR’s N5b caboose, X50 boxcar, H30 covered hopper (in multiple liveries), unique K9 steel stock car, and F41 flatcar (with multiple loads including Sherman tanks and Willys Jeeps)!
Included Scenarios
Four career scenarios featuring the Pennsylvania FA’s on the Train Simulator Horseshoe Curve route are included:
- 01 - Westbound Manifest
- 02 - Stock to Altoona
- 03 - A Dangerous Trip
- 04 - The Army Train
More scenarios are available on the Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!
Key Features
- Alco FA1 cab and FB1 booster diesel locomotive in Pennsylvania Railroad livery
- Alco FA2 cab and FB2 booster diesel locomotive in Pennsylvania Railroad livery
- Realistic cab, controls, sounds, and operating features
- Selection of five authentic types of PRR freight equipment, including PRR’s N5b caboose, X50 boxcar, H30 covered hopper (in multiple liveries), unique K9 steel stock car, and F41 flatcar (with multiple loads)
- Four career scenarios for the Horseshoe Curve route
- Quick Drive compatible
- Download size: 184.6mb
