Nostalgia & History > Alco diesel question

What is the difference between a PA1 and an FA1 or FA2 covered wagon??
Thanks
Rich S.

The PA had six axles, with the center axle of each truck unpowered; the FA had four axles. The PA had a V16 2000 HP engine; the FA had a 1500 HP engine, which I assume was a V12, because the FA was considerably shorter.

Somebody with real knowlege of the subject can give a better answer.

The FA-1 was a little shorter than the FA-2. Here is a link to a photo of a NYC FA-1. Note the dark radiator screen above the rear truck.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc1043.jpg

The FA-2 had more carbody past the screen on the FA-1. Here is NYC 1045.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc1045s.jpg

Look right above the "1045" and you'll see the extra legnth compared to a FA-1. I'm sure there were various mechanical differences inside the locomotive too.

I appreciate the differentiation
-Rich

PA noses were significantly longer. PAs were optimized for passenger service and FAs for freight service.

The FA2's were 1600 HP vs 1500 HP for FA1's. The reason for the extra lenght was to make room for an optional steam generator. I know MP had some FA2's outfitted for passenger service. Not sure who else used them in passenger service.

There were also the "FPA" variations in Canada, the 4-axle locos outfitted for varnish service. The Napa Wine Train has some, I believe. The PA's used 16 cyl, 4-cycle engines, while the F's had the 12 cyl version. The late DPM of Trains Mag once said of the PA that it had not a nose, but, rather, a platform. I believe the man responsible for the PA/FA carbody designs was Ray Patten of GE. BTW, the "PA", "FA", etc., nomenclature was basically a railfan invention, IIRC. I don't believe ALCO or ALCO/GE actually used this terminology. Anyone else remember?

NYCSTL8 Wrote:
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> BTW, the "PA", "FA", etc., nomenclature was
> basically a railfan invention, IIRC. I don't
> believe ALCO or ALCO/GE actually used this
> terminology. Anyone else remember?


I never thought about that before but you may very well be correct. The attached photo is a scanning of the first four pages of my father's October 1949 issue of the ALCO TP-400 Operation and Service Manual. These four pages make no mention (nor does the cover) of "RS", "FA" or "PA". I don't find any mention of those designations in the remainder of the 7/8" thick manual. The photo here of the freight cab unit appears to be the "FA-1" which coincides with the 1500 HP rating given. The photo page on my father's January 1951 issue of the ALCO TP-500 Mechanical Maintenance Manual clearly shows the freight cab unit to be the "FA-2" which coincides with the 1600 HP rating given in the manual. The "PA" in this manual is listed at 2250 HP compared to the 2000 HP in the 1949 manual.

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