Above, we have a cross sectional view of the FT "First section" as this manual refers to it. The next "style" FT manuals begin the more familiar nomenclature of "A" and "B" units, instead of first and second sections. The main reason for this terminology is that it appears that EMC envisioned at first that the ideal size and power of freight locomotive required a 4 (or perhaps 2) unit set, as a single unit could not have enough horsepower or drive axles, and so drawbar connected all 4 sections together, an arrangement that was quickly disliked by most railroads. Four sections, at 1350 horsepower each, provided a 5400 horsepower set, with enough starting tractive effort to regularly break drawbars and pull coupler knuckles if unwisely applied. Many roads replaced drawbars with couplers, but some left the drawbars, usually between A and B units. EMC also began selling FT sets with couplers between the B units, which allowed separation into two A-B sets.(EMC FT manual, 6-44.)
In the diagrams on this page, we see that many components, as previously mentioned, are located remotely about the inside of the carbody, wherever it was convenient for the designers to place them. While criticicised, this was exactly like contemporary "E" unit production. Some things to note in the diagrams as well: Note the odd position for the third cab seat, against the rear cab wall beside the steps to the engine room. Note also that the diesel engines are oriented in opposite directions in the sections, that is with their generator ends facing in opposite directions. With FT's, a B unit is not merely an A unit with no cab, it is designed and laid out differently. Some later B units, without steam generators, were actually shorter than the one shown, lacking the overhang at their rear end. Also, these diagrams show dynamic brake grids, which the Southern engines lacked. Early FT's had no dynamic brakes, some had a simple 2 setting brake, and the balance were available with a variable type, which would become the standard on F units, though increasing in power over the years. Note also the brake wheel, located in the cab, in front of the fireman's seat. |
