Then there's the FL-9 used by New Haven: "The EMD FL9 (New Haven Class EDER-5) was a dual-power electro-diesel locomotive, capable of diesel-electric operation and as an electric locomotive powered from a third rail. Sixty units were built between October 1956 and November 1960 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (the "New Haven"); The FL9 model was in direct competition with the less popular Fairbanks-Morse dual-power P-12-42 model."

More Wiki: " B units with couplers on both ends had a fifth window on one side for the hostler position, if equipped with hostler controls"

The final arbiter of facts, Wikipedia, states: "The EMD FT was a 1,350-horsepower (1,010 kW) diesel-electric locomotive produced between November 1939 and November 1945, by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (the "F" stood for 1400 horsepower (rounded from 1350) and the "T" for twin, as it came standard in a two-unit set). All told 555 cab-equipped A units were built, along with 541 cabless booster B units, for a grand total of 1,096 units."

Always assumed the "F" stood for "Freight" as in the Alco diesels. There were later EMD F-units equipped for passenger use, though.

Quote from: bapguy on December 15, 2015, 09:33:14 AM
It may not be obvious, but take note that the "B" unit actually is coupled "backwards" compared to the "A" unit.        Just curious what makes you say this?    Joe

If you look at the builder's drawing above, you'll see that the two units look like mirror images. For example, my models have some ridges or vent on the rook that look like dynamic braking units. The A unit clearly has these toward the rear of the unit away from the cab. To me, when both units are "facing" the same direction, the B unit would have them also toward the rear of the train.

In actual fact, I guess it really doesn't matter since the units could run in both directions and an ABBA lash up would probably have two units reversed. However, the drawing suggests that AB pairs came from the factory oriented as shown with a draw bar rather than couplers.

J3a-614,

Thanks for pointing out that detail about the AB orientation. I've been impressing my wife with my "knowledge" by pointing out (incorrectly) the B unit should face! My units are Erie locos, and almost all of the photos of Erie F units shows them in ABBA configuration, although its not always clear whether or not they are FTs.

I will probably put short-shank couplers on both A and B, but I have wondered whether a normal length coupler on the A unit might couple to a vertical post of appropriate size on the B unit reliably.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I do have one curve that is 18" radius, but I don't have to use that all the time.

I'm hesitant to put a draw bar between the units because I'd like to be able to couple just the A unit to a train. However, I may look into short couplers and possibly some sort of doohickey on the B unit that the A coupler would latch onto. I'll have to experiment to see how close they can run without having problems. I understand the manufacturers providing couplers that will function on all curves, but it reminds me of most guitars you find in music shops. Unless they are really high end models, just about every guitar manufacturer ships their guitars with string set very high off of the fretboard. This makes them harder to play but eliminates any possibility of strings buzzing against the frets. You always have to lower the strings to optimized the playing action. Lowest common denominator.

I have an AB set of the Bachmann FT diesels that came to me in used condition. I have them running and looking great. I installed some Kadee #5 couplers I had on hand, and the two units are WAY too far apart. Can anyone suggest a coupler they have used to get closer to prototype spacing? Looking for close but not unreasonable...