GREGM,
Please remember that the FT was the very first diesel electric locomotive SPECIFICALLY developed by EMC for main line Freight Service. Previously, all the locomotives designed & built by EMC were for passenger service, and switching/transfer service. Back in the early and mid 1930s, railroad management was under the belief that "Diesels were fine for light weight passenger trans and switching, but steam locomotives were the only form of motive power capable of handling main line freight trains". Naturally, that philosophy was FULLY promoted by the big three steam locomotive manufacturers! Thus the "FT", i.e. "F for Freight" was developed.
Again, I have actually seen the original internal EMC/EMD documents for the "FT" demonstrator set; "F" stood for Freight, and "T" stood for Twenty seven hundred HP.
You all can argue/debate all you want, however many, MANY publications got it wrong, and continue to do so. As more factual information, search for the Railfan & Railroad Magazine series on the 50th anniversary of the FT103, from 1989.
