FM Erie Built A Unit NYC Freight

These are N scale 3D printable files for the New York Central Railroad (NYC) Fairbanks-Morse Erie-Built A Unit in freight service configuration, numbered 5000–5005. Designed to fit on a Kato PA donor mechanism.

The Fairbanks-Morse Erie-Built was a distinctive cab unit locomotive produced by Fairbanks-Morse in the late 1940s, featuring a wide, rounded nose with a distinctive twin-headlight face that gave the Erie-Built an immediately recognizable appearance quite unlike the more common EMD and Alco cab unit designs of the era. The New York Central rostered Erie-Builts in two distinct series for two very different assignments: the 4400–4405 series were equipped with steam generators for passenger service on the Water Level Route, while these 5000–5005 series units were assigned to freight service — without passenger heating equipment and configured for the demands of freight operations across the NYC's vast network between New York, Chicago, and the industrial Midwest.

The distinction between the NYC's passenger and freight Erie-Builts makes these two separate and prototype-accurate modeling subjects. See also the companion FM Erie-Built A Unit NYC Passenger listing from Out of the Box Models for the steam generator-equipped 4400–4405 series in the NYC's two-tone gray passenger livery.

The Erie-Built's Fairbanks-Morse opposed-piston diesel engine gave the type a distinctive sound and performance profile, but also presented maintenance challenges that contributed to the type's relatively short service career on most railroads — making surviving examples and accurate models all the more historically significant.

This shell is designed to fit on a Kato PA donor mechanism. The Fully Painted and Decaled Model option requires a donor mechanism supplied by the customer.

After purchase, your digital files will be available for immediate direct download from your order confirmation. These files are for Personal Use Only — if you are interested in a commercial license, please contact us.

Please allow a few weeks for 3D printing and shipping. Decals are shipped separately — please allow some additional time for decal printing and shipping after ordering.