Looking back, it s hard to image the F3 was a huge gamble by Lionel. To help offset some of the risk, Lionel s partnered up with three other corporations on the F3 project; General Motors, the New York Central railroad and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. Each of these companies financially contributed to the development of the F3 in return for advertising on the new diesel. Needless to say, all three companies have received a tremendous amount of advertising from the F3 project during the prior half-century. For New York Central fans, Lionel continued to make several variations of an NYC F3 for eight more years. For Santa Fe enthusiasts, their roadname would continue for 18 years!