EMD F3 demonstrator units

Or compare to the FT tonnage tables and minimum continuous speed charts on page 14 of this linked manual: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/manual/ft-om.pdf The F2 ratings are about 97.5% of the FT ratings. Do you think EMD tested all those different gear ratios on the F2s?
Ed in Kentucky

This linked page has the FT/F2/F3/F7 MCR speed charts and tonnage ratings for comparison. http://alternatewars.com/BBOW/Railroads/EMD_F-Units.htm

Ed in Kentucky

Does anyone have any insight as to the where and when EMD tested the D8B, Dog Eight Baker, generator used on the F2. The D8B was the generator from the FT mated with the D14 companion alternator.

Ed in Kentucky

Here's another question that may have already escaped history. Does anyone have any insight as to the where and when EMD tested high speed gearing in the F2/F3 before production started in July 1946? Remember the very first production F3s went to Santa Fe with 56:21 gearing. It seems like EMD would have speed tested the concept before any production locomotives were built. Likely candidates for high speed test runs would be Alton, Burlington and Santa Fe, others?. The first f unit cabs with steam generators installed were Southern 6700-6701. Ed in Kentucky

It was 75 years ago this month the EMD began building F units again. The last FTs were built in November 1945. Then a United Auto Workers strike shut down EMD until March 13, 1946, but no additional units were built until April presumably because of a steel strike and lack of parts. The Engineering department would have had plenty of time to test the D8B generator in the 291 test set. Tonnage ratings would have been established for the new F2s and instructions on operating with FTs would have been written. Operator Manuals for the F2 were published on June 1, 1946 in advance of the July production of 43 F2A units. Of the 43 new F2As, a total of 39 were built to work with FTs, another two were low geared units for use on a light rail short line and two were passenger units.

Ed in Kentucky