The FA-1 dates back to the early 1940s, when the American Locomotive Co. (ALCO) decided to produce a locomotive capable of competing with the FT version from General Motors.

The original 1350 HP engine design was discontinued until 1944 because of World War II. Unfortunately, after the first tests, many technical problems were detected in the turbo supercharger and the engine crankshaft, which meant that a new project was immediately started, the so-called "244", capable of developing 1500 HP.

The first three prototypes built with this new engine gave rise to the well-known FA-1.
Industrial stylist Ray Stevenson designed the overall exterior shape, and the first 37 locomotives were sold to Gulf Mobile & Oil Co.

The FA-1 was modified from its original version DL-208 to DL-208A, DL-208B to DL-208C, and was later continued with the FA-2 version.

The first twelve locomotives exported came to E.F. Central do Brasil, during the months of May and June 1948, and were used to pull the Santa Cruz and Vera Cruz passenger trains, between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and between Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.