EMD F3B w/Proto-Sound 3.0 & DCC -- Denver & Rio Grande Western #5532 (Aspen Gold, silver, black, Single Stripe)

From 1942-1945, Electro Motive Division's F-unit was the only road freight diesel built in America. While the War Production Board limited competitors Alco and Baldwin to diesel switcher and steam locomotive production during World War II, EMD's 1350HP FT became a runaway best-seller. By war's end, Electro Motive had a lead over its competitors that would last until they closed their doors. With production restrictions lifted and the U.S. economy humming with pent-up demand, railroads clamored for new diesels to replace a steam fleet exhausted by wartime traffic. In July 1946, EMD introduced a new model F-unit, the F3. Horsepower was upgraded to 1500 and lessons learned on the FT gave the F3 better reliability and lower maintenance. Under the hood throbbed an improved 567-series V-12 engine. With 567 inches of displacement per cylinder, this same engine would power virtually the entire first generation of EMD diesel locomotives. Model features incl