N EMD F3A and F3B

Prototype Information:

 

The F-Unit is probably the most recognized diesel locomotive in North American history. It was found on railroads from East to West and North to South. Eastern railroads favored a “Single Headlight” version of the F3, while Western railroads favored a “Dual Headlight” version.

F3 locomotives were used in both freight and passenger service. For passenger service, it was necessary for the locomotives to have a Steam Generator to provide heat and electricity in the passenger cars. In later years, many F3 locomotives originally intended for passenger services were downgraded to freight duty.

 

Model Information:

 

The Kato EMD F3 comes in both A and B (cabless) variations. All current variations of the F-unit locomotive chassis are DCC friendly. Passenger units are commonly identified by their Steam Generators vs. freight units which lack this detail. The 2014 run of CB&Q Freight F3’s have a number of passenger features, such as the straight pilot, as they began their life as locomotives pulling the California Zephyr before being repainted and repurposed as freight locomotives.

Model Features:

  • DCC friendly mechanism
  • A-unit LED has directional headlights and illuminated number boards
  • Locomotives have a powerful five pole motor with all wheel electrical pickup and blackened wheels
  • KATO magnetic knuckle couplers
  • Drop in DCC compatible with the Train Control Systems K0D8 series and Digitrax DN163K0B

Current Models

Stock #

Description

Road #

Msrp

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Union Pacific (Freight Version)

Road #

1404

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Union Pacific (Freight Version)

Road #

1405

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3B Union Pacific (Freight Version)

Road #

1412C

Msrp

$85

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Southern Pacific "Black Widow" (Freight Version)

Road #

6101

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Southern Pacific "Black Widow" (Freight Version)

Road #

6104

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3B Southern Pacific "Black Widow" (Freight Version)

Road #

--

Msrp

$85*

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Western Pacific for the California Zephyr

Road #

802A

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Western Pacific for the California Zephyr w/ Ready-to-run DCC

- Pre-installed with TCS DCC Decoder K0D8-B

Road #

802A

Msrp

$130

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Western Pacific for the California Zephyr

Road #

803

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Western Pacific for the California Zephyr w/ Ready-to-run DCC

- Pre-installed with TCS DCC Decoder K0D8-B

Road #

803

Msrp

$130

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3B Western Pacific for the California Zephyr

Road #

--

Msrp

$85

Stock #

Description

California Zephyr w/ Ready-to-run DCC

- Pre-installed with TCS DCC Decoder K0D8-D

Road #

--

Msrp

$125

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Chicago Burlington & Quincy (Freight Version)

Road #

9960A

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3A Chicago Burlington & Quincy (Freight Version)

Road #

9960C

Msrp

$90

Stock #

Description

N EMD F3B Chicago Burlington & Quincy (Freight Version)

Road #

--

Msrp

$85