The EMD F3 is a 1,500 horsepower diesel locomotive built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between 1945 and 1949. The F3 was the third model in EMD's successful F-unit series of cab unit diesels, and it was the second most produced of the series behind the F7. The F3's were widely used in both freight and passenger service, and in total, EMD built more than 1,100 A-units and almost 700 B-units.

In this production run, we are building 6 prototypical road names with striking paint schemes. A few of the road names offered include locomotives that still operate today such as C&O 8016, and DLW 663 and 664.

We are offering A-B sets with Powered A-units (w/ Paragon4 Sound) and unpowered B-units, and also separate single A and B-units with our full Paragon4 DC/DCC/Sound system. All of our models have road-specific details and lighting.

List of individually controllable lights in our EMD F3 models:

Headlight
Mars Light (where applicable)
Numberboard Lights
Classification Lights
Cab Light

Road-specific detail options in this production, prototypically accurate for each road name:

Three pilots options - each included where prototypical
Nose door with and without headlight
Horizontal and 45-degree numberboards
Three different horns
Water fill hatch location varies per road name
Prototypically accurate filter panel
Sand fill hatch location
Dynamic brake hatch style
Cooling fans and exhaust hatch accurate per each prototype
Winterization hatch present where prototypically accurate
Steam generator style
Four MU door options on front of model
Ladder rest grab irons present where prototypically accurate
Eyebrow grab irons present where prototypically accurate
Grab irons above cab side windows where prototypically accurate
Roof antenna present and correct where prototypically accurate
Nose lift lug brackets present on PRR types
Rear lift lug brackets present on PRR types
Trainphone antenna present on PRR models

Industry-leading Model Features:

Paragon4 Sound & Control System featuring ROLLING THUNDER
Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for Superb Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
Precision Drive Mechanism Engineered for Heavy Towing and Smooth Slow Speed Operation
All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
Premium Caliber Painting
Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Grab Irons, Horn, Bell, Wipers, and Etched Metal Grills
Prototypical Light Operation
Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the EMD F3 Diesel Locomotive
Metal Kadee-compatible Couplers (2)
Will Operate on Code 70, Code 83, and Code 100 Rail
Minimum Operating Radius: 18 inches

Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI's own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon4 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited's Paragon3 Series models.

Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:

Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
Built-In extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track
Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
Switcher Mode for precise low speed control
Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
High Resolution Audio
Quillable Horn for various whistle lengths and patterns
Choice of 3 selectable Horns
Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal
Prime Mover sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

**Specifications on this page subject to change.

EMD F3 HO (2025)

REFURBISHED R9656 EMD F3A, B&M 4228A, Blue McGinnis, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, HO

REFURBISHED R9664 EMD F3A, DLW 663, As Appears Today, No-Sound / DCC-Ready, HO

REFURBISHED R9676 EMD F3A, PRR 9517A, DGLE Single Stripe, No-Sound / DCC-Ready, HO