EMD F7

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"F7B" redirects here. For the XF7B fighter, see Boeing P-29.
EMD F7

Specifications
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
General Motors Diesel (GMD, Canada)
Model F7
Build date February 1949 – December 1953
Total produced 2,366 A units, 1,483 B units
AAR wheel arr. B-B
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Trucks Blomberg B
Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve 23° (250 ft (76.20 m) radius)
Wheelbase 39 ft (11.89 m)
Length A unit: 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
B unit: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
Width 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m)
Height 15 ft (4.57 m)
Locomotive weight 247,300 lb (112,200 kg)
Prime mover EMD 16-567B
Engine RPM range 800
Engine type Two-stroke diesel
Aspiration Roots-type supercharger
Displacement 9,072 cu in (148.66 L)
Generator EMD D-12
Traction motors (4) EMD D-27-B
Cylinders V16
Cylinder size 8 1⁄2 in × 10 in (216 mm × 254 mm)
Power output 1,500 hp (1,100 kW)
Career
Locale North America

The EMD F7 was a 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) and General Motors Diesel (GMD).

Although originally promoted by EMD as a freight-hauling unit, the F7 was also used in passenger service hauling such trains as the Santa Fe Railway's Super Chief and El Capitan.

History

The F7 was the fourth model in GM-EMD's successful line of F-unit locomotives, and by far the best-selling cab unit of all time. It succeeded the F3 model in GM-EMD's F-unit sequence, and was replaced in turn by the F9. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant or GMD's London, Ontario facility.

The F7 differed from the F3, primarily in internal equipment (mostly electrical) and some external features. Its continuous tractive effort rating was 20% higher (e.g. 40000 lb for an F7 with 65 mph gearing, compared to 32500 lb for an F3 with the same gearing.

A total of 2,366 cab-equipped lead A-units and 1,483 cabless booster or B-units were built. (Note: the B-unit is often referred to as an "F7B", whereas the A-unit is simply an "F7".)

Many F7s remained in service for decades, as railroads found them economical to operate and maintain. However, the locomotive was not very popular with yard crews who operated them in switching service because they were difficult to mount and dismount, and it was also nearly impossible for the engineer to see hand signals from a ground crew without leaning way outside the window. As most of these engines were bought and operated before two-way radio became standard on most American railroads, this was a major point of contention. In later years, with the advent of the “road switchers” such as the EMD GP7, F-units were primarily used in “through freight” and “unit train” service where there was very little or no switching to be done on line of road.

Engine and powertrain

The F7 used a 16 cylinder 567B series diesel engine developing 1,500 hp (1.1 MW) at 800 rpm. The 567 was designed specifically for railroad locomotives, a supercharged 2 stroke 45 degree V type with 567 cu in (9.29 L) displacement per cylinder, for a total of 9,072 cu in (148.66 L). A D.C. generator powered four traction motors, two on each Blomberg B truck. EMD has built all of its major components since 1939. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Identification

There are no easily identifiable differences between late F3 production and early F7 production; the major differences were all internal electrical system changes. However, no F7 had “chicken wire” grilles of most F3s, and no F3s had later F7 changes described below under Phases.

The F9 is distinguishable from the late F7 by having five, rather than four, carbody center louver groups covering the carbody filters. The additional one is placed ahead of the first porthole, where F7s have no openings. The F9's greater power output, of course, cannot be seen from the outside.

Phases

The identification of locomotive “phases” is a creation of railfans, although now used in Diesel Spotters Guide. EMD used no such identification, and instead kept track of the marketing name (F7) and individual locomotives’ build numbers. During the production cycle of a model, EMD would often make detail changes that were not readily apparent to the casual observer. To keep better track of the variations of locomotives identified the same by the manufacturer, railfans began referring to phases (critical changes to a locomotive line).

Despite not being official designations, the phase description is useful. However, many of the changes described are cosmetic, easily changed features of a locomotive: e.g., roof fans, body panels, grilles and the like could be and sometimes were updated or swapped. Most of the phase differences on the F7 were concerned only with A units; B units varied far less. The following are normally identified as F7 phases:

Phase I (early)

Built from February 1949. Upper grille with horizontal openings. Four horizontal louvred openings on center body panel. 36-inch dynamic brake fan, if dynamic brakes fitted. Flush windshield gasket changed to raised in July 1949. Square cab door corners with kick plates on the steps beneath. Wing window short with square corners. Single drip strip over cab windows and door. Square end door window. Round sand filler cover. Rear overhang.

Phase I (late)

Built from March 1950. Upper grille started out horizontal, as in early Phase I; from March 1951, some locomotives were built with vertical-slotted "Farr-Air" grilles, and by October 1951, all had them. Cab doors became round-cornered, and the kick plates were deleted. The wing windows became larger, with round corners. Two drip strips; one over cab windows, second over door. The end door window became round after November 1950.

Phase II

Built from February 1952. All upper grilles vertical "Farr-Air" type. Center car body louvres became vertical-slotted. Sand filler now with a horizontal, rectangular pull handle. From June 1952, 48-inch dynamic brake fans began to be introduced; from October 1952, all dynamic-brake equipped locomotives had them. At that latter date, locomotives no longer had a rear overhang.

Original buyers

Locomotives built by Electro-Motive Division, USA

Railroad Quantity
A units 		Quantity
B units 		Road numbers
A units 		Road numbers
B units 		Notes
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrators)
2
—
801–802
—
to Great Northern 272A,B
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrator)
1
—
930
—
to Boston & Maine 4268
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrators)
2
—
1950A,B
—
to Louisville & Nashville 857–858
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrators)
2
2
459A,D
459B,C
to Union Pacific 1481–1482 (A units), 1496B,C (B units)
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrators)
1
—
5040
to Union Pacific 1483
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrators)
—
2
—
7002–7003
FP7-F7B-F7B demonstrators; to Soo Line (Wisconsin Central) 2500B–2501B
Electro-Motive Division (demonstrators)
—
2
—
9052–9053
FP7-F7B-F7B demonstrators; to Soo Line 500B–501B
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
77
12
317, 348–423
392B–403B
Alaska Railroad
5
4
1500–1508 (even)
1501–1507 (odd)
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
215
247
37,C–47,C, 202,C–280,C, 300–316, 306–314 (second), 336–344
37A,B–47A,B, 48A, 202A,B–280A,B, 300A,B–316A,B, 306A,B–314A,B (second), 336A,B–340A,B, 341A–344A
37–47 passenger, 202-280 freight, 300-344 dual service, 48A rebuilt by EMD from Santa Fe F3B 32A (1st), used by EMD as a demo for several years
Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad
28
26
701A–728A
701B–726B
Boston and Maine Railroad
3
4
4265–4267
4265B–4268B
EMD Demonstrator 930 to B&M 4268
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
157
100
180,A–192,A (even), 231–237 (odd), 239,A–297,A (odd), 361,A–365,A (odd), 367–374, 929,A–973,A (odd), 975, 977,A–993,A (odd)
180X,AX–192A,AX (even), 153X–171Z (odd), 231X–237X (odd), 249X–297X (odd), 361X, 363X,AX, 365X,AX, 367X,AX–374X,AX (odd & even), 929X–961X (odd), 977X–993X (odd)
Charleston and Western Carolina Railway
6
-
900-905
to ACL 424A-429A
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
10
3
163A–166A, 167A,C–169A,C
167B–169B
Chicago Great Western Railway
4
20
153–156
104B, 105D–112D, 113B,D–116B,D, 116E,F,G
Chicago and North Western Railway
72
22
4067A,C–4102A,C
4067B–4084B, 4091B–4094B
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway (“Omaha Road”)
12
—
6500A,C–6505A,C
—
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
31
17
100–127, 675–677
100B–109B, 120B–123B, 675B–677B
675–677 passenger
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
94
54
7000–7093
7515–7546, 8500–8506
8500s passenger (with FP7)
Clinchfield Railroad
15
11
806–820
853–863
Colorado and Southern Railway
6
6
700A,D–702A,D
700B,C–702B,C
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
9
6
611A,C, 631A,C, 632A–636A
611B, 632B–636B
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
43
40
5481, 5551/4, 5571/4–5761/4
5552/3, 5572/3–5742/3, 5752, 5762
Erie Railroad
6
6
711A,D–713A,D
711B,C–713B,C
713 ABBA set was originally numbered 807A-D
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México
22
16
6310–6318, 6319A–6327A, 6335–6338
6319B–6334B
Fort Worth and Denver City Railway
6
6
750A,D–752A,D
750B,C–752B,C
Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad
4
10
811B, 812A,B, 813A
B65–B74
Great Northern Railway
63
49
268A–270A, 271A,B, 273A,B–275A,B, 280A–281A, 307A,C–309A,C, 311A,C–317A,C, 350A, 360A, 364A,C–365A,C, 444A,D–456A,D (even), 460A,D, 462A,D–468A,D (even)
268B–270B, 280B–281B, 307B–309B, 311B–317B, 350B, 360B, 364B–365B, 444B,C–456B,C (even), 458C, 460B,C, 462B,C–468B,C (even), 500B–504B
350–365, 500s passenger
Kansas, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway
4
2
751–754
755B–756B
Kansas City Southern Railway
11
14
59D (twice), 70A,C–71A,C, 72A,D–73A,D, 74A
33B, 59B,C, 70B–71B, 72B,C–75B,C, 78C (second)
Kansas City Southern (Louisiana and Arkansas Railway)
7
8
32A–33A, 74D, 75A,D–76A,D
32B, 76B,C–78B,C, 79B
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
67
17
800–856, 844–849, 900–903
703–716, 900–902
Lehigh Valley Railroad
8
6
560–574 (even)
561–571 (odd)
Mexican Ministry of Communications and Public Works (“SCOP”)
2
—
23037–23038
—
Milwaukee Road
68
50
48A,C–50A,C, 68A,C–79A,C, 84A,D–85A,D, 86A, 87A,C–89A,C, 106A–108A, 109A,C–111A,C, 113A,C–121A,C
48B–50B, 68B–79B, 84B,C–85B,C, 87B–105B, 109B–111B, 113B–121B
90B–105B passenger (with FP7)
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
16
8
208A,C–211A,C, 226A,C–229A,C
208B–211B, 121B–124B
Missouri Pacific Railroad
26
10
577–594, 619–626
587B–594B, 629B–630B
Missouri Pacific Railroad (International-Great Northern Railroad)
14
2
595–606, 617–618
595B–596B
Missouri Pacific Railroad (St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway)
10
—
607–616
—
Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway
8
—
150A,C, 250A,C, 350A,C, 151A,C
—
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway
23
8
809–831
912–919
Northern Pacific Railway
45
34
6007A,D–6020A,D, 6500C -6502C, 6507A,C–6513A,C
6007B,C–6020B,C, 6050B, 6510B–6513B, 6550
6000s freight, 6500s passenger
New York Central Railroad
238
56
1636–1873
2420–2474, 2446 (second)
Pennsylvania Railroad
123
76
9640A–9676A, 9690A–9699A, 9764A–9831A, 9872A–9879A
9547B–9555B (odd), 9640B–9647B, 9648B–9660B (even), 9667B–9676B, 9764B–9818B (even), 9832B–9858B (even), 9872B–9878B (even)
Reading Company
18
6
266–283
266B–271B
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
10
10
1101–1110
1151–1160
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway
22
22
5018–5039
5118–5139
Soo Line
6
2
212A,B–214A,B
502B, 503B
500s passenger (with FP7)
Soo Line (Wisconsin Central Railway
20
4
2201A,B–2203A,B, 2224A,B–2230A,B
2201C–2204C
Southern Railway
63
44
4207–4269
4385–4428
Southern Railway (Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway)
7
24
6114–6120
6160–6183
Southern Railway (Alabama Great Southern Railroad)
6
3
6714–6719
6756–6758
Southern Pacific Company
250
220
6140A,D–6169A,D, 6240–6423, 6440–6445
6140B,C–6169B,C, 8140–8285, 8290–8303
Southern Pacific (Texas and New Orleans Railroad)
44
16
338–381
538–553
Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway
4
—
803–806
—
to BN 9754,9756,9758,9760
St. Louis Southwestern Railway (“Cotton Belt”)
26
17
925–975 (odd)
926–958 (even)
Texas Mexican Railway
2
—
800A,B
—
Texas and Pacific Railway
83
35
1500–1582
1500B–1534B
Union Pacific Railroad
18
36
1464–1465, 1466 (twice), 1467–1480
1464B,C, 1466B,C (twice), 1468B,C–1494B,C (even), 910B,C
910B,C with FP7
Wabash Railroad
96
9
1100,A–1108,A, 1140,A–1154,A, 1165,A–1188,A
1100B–1108B
Western Maryland Railway
26
14
53–66
53B–65B (odd), 231B–243B (odd)
Western Pacific Railroad
24
26
913A,D–924A,D
804B–805B, 913B,C–924B,C
800s passenger (with FP7)
Totals 2285 1432

Locomotives built by General Motors Diesel, Canada

Railroad Quantity
A units 		Quantity
B units 		Road numbers
A units 		Road numbers
B units 		Notes
Canadian National Railways
58
18
9028–9142 (even)
9029–9063 (odd)
Canadian Pacific Railway
—
29
—
4424–4448, 4459–4462
Ordered with FP7
Wabash Railroad
22
—
1155,A–1164,A, 1189,A
—
Ordered for service in Canada
Totals 80 47

Rebuilds

MARC Train #83, a former B&O F7, at Brunswick, Maryland in 1994.

Several F7s were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen as F9PHs and used in passenger operations. Others were rebuilt as the "FP10" and used by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. In addition, the Santa Fe had most of their F7's rebuilt into CF7 hood units in the 1970s. Only one original unit from the railway exists to this day.

Preservation

The Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad's F7A seen on 29 April 2009 while stopped in Channing, Michigan.
EMD 4266 at the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway NH, seen on 9 October 2004.
Western Pacific Railroad F7A: 923A, later operated by Mt. Newman Mining as 5451, seen on 28 April 2012.
  • The Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad (as of October 2011) operates an FP7A (#600) in main line freight service. The unit is the former Milwaukee Road #96A, frame number 3073-A1 built January 1951. This unit was owned privately and was leased and used in both freight and passenger service by Wisconsin & Calumet (WICT) in the Illinois Central passenger paint scheme.
  • The Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, California rosters two former Western Pacific Railroad F7As: WP 917-D and 921-D. These engines are part of the museum's popular "Run a locomotive" program. Their roster also includes an FP7 passenger version, WP 805-A.
  • The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California has the former Western Pacific F7A 913. This engine is currently listed as serviceable. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 347C GM-EMD 1949 F7A was given as a gift to the museum by Santa Fe in March 1986 and is repainted to original warbonnet colors. Southern Pacific No. 6402 GM-EMD 1952 F7A given as gift by the Pacific Coast Chapter of the Railroad and Historical Society in June 1978. Both engines are listed as operable.
  • The Grafton and Upton Railroad in Grafton, Massachusetts operates one F7A as a daily switcher, #1501.
  • The Fillmore and Western Railway in Fillmore, California has two F7As that are operational.
  • The Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello, Illinois allows guests to operate their Wabash Railroad F7A #1189 for a donation through the "Throttle Time" program.
  • The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, Baltimore, MD, has former Western Maryland Railway F7A 236 in operating condition.
  • The Boston & Maine Railroad had 4 F7A's with accompanying B units, numbered 4265-4268 (A & B). #4267A was demolished in a derailment. #4266 survives at the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, New Hampshire, where it is rostered as a spare unit and operated frequently. It is owned by the 470 Railroad Club of Portland ME and operated under a lease agreement with CSRR. #4268 is also owned by the 470 Club, and is on static display (exterior only) at CSRR. The prime mover has been removed. #4265 is on static display at the Gorham Historical Society at the former Grand Trunk RR depot in Gorham, NH. It is also inoperable but is being converted into a movie theater/picture gallery with access to the cab.
  • The Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota owns a Milwaukee Road F7B unit, 71B. It was used to power a snow plow.
  • The Don Rhodes Mining and Transport Museum at Port Hedland, Western Australia, has a former Western Pacific Railroad F7A: 923A. It was sold to Mt. Newman Mining and operated as lococmotive #5451 before being transferred to the Shire of Port Hedland.[5][6] It is now a static display, with the prime mover removed.
  • The Minnesota Transportation Museum owns Great Northern Railway F7A 454-A, which is painted in Northern Pacific Railway colors, unrestored, and lacking its internal machinery. They also have steam heat car 16, which Great Northern constructed from F7B 458-B, originally 306-B.
  • The Galveston Railroad Museum owned F7As Texas Limited #100 (ex-Southern Pacific #6379) and #200 (ex-Southern Pacific #6309). The two heads the "Texas Limited" passenger train which made runs to and from Houston until track speed restrictions and liability insurance costs ended operations. #100's frame number is supposed to have been Chicago & Northwestern F7B #4092, built in July 1952, not a Southern Pacific F7A. It is speculated that the frames were unintentionally swapped up before assembly. Both units were scrapped in 2011 due to extensive damage from Hurricane Ike.
  • The Indiana Transportation Museum owns two former Milwaukee Road F7A's #83 & #72, one F7B #68 & one FP7 #96. #83 & #96 operated in the Monon Railroad passenger livery at the ITM. #83C (#72A) is being restored to Monon freight colors. F7B #68 will be restored to match #72.
Lehigh Valley #576 in Tuckahoe, New Jersey in 2010
  • The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey owns two former C&NW F7As that were acquired from New Jersey Transit upon their retirement in 1991. The units were leased to the Metro North Commuter Railroad on the condition that they would be returned at the end of their lease in operating condition. Both units are operable and currently painted for Lehigh Valley (#578 and #576, respectively). Both units are operated by the Cape May Seashore Lines and stored in Tuckahoe.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Pinkpank, Jerry A (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Kalmbach Books. pp. 13, 26, 90–101. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 
  2. ↑ Ross, David, ed. (2003). The Encyclopedia of Trains and Locomotives. pp. 261, 273. ISBN 978-0-7607-9679-5. 
  3. ↑ "EMD 567C Engine Manual, EMD F7 Operators Manual". rr-fallenflags.org. Retrieved 4 September 2013. 
  4. ↑ "EMD’s 567, History and Development". utahrails.net. Retrieved 4 September 2013. 
  5. ↑ Radecki, Alan. "The Western Pacific Surviving Locomotive List". Railfan.net. Retrieved 25 August 2013. 
  6. ↑ .

Bibliography

  • Dorin, Patrick C. (1972). Chicago and North Western Power. Superior Publishing. pp. 119–121. ISBN 0-87564-715-4. 
  • Lamb, J. Parker (2007). Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive. Railroads Past and Present. Bloomington, IN, USA: Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253348630. 
  • Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years: A Guide to Diesels Built Before 1972. Railroad Reference Series (Book 10). Waukesha, WI, USA: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890242585. 
  • Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. pp. 12, 91–94. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 
  • Schafer, Mike (1998). Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Enthusiast Color Series. Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760305072. 
  • Solomon, Brian (2000). The American Diesel Locomotive. Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760306664. 
  • Solomon, Brian (2005). EMD F-Unit Locomotives. North Branch, MN, USA: Specialty Press. ISBN 1580071929. 
  • Solomon, Brian (2006). EMD Locomotives. St. Paul, MN, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760323960. 
  • Solomon, Brian (2010). Vintage Diesel Power. Minneapolis, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 9780760337950. 
  • Solomon, Brian (2011). Electro-Motive E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives. Minneapolis, MN, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760340073. 
  • Solomon, Brian (2012). North American Locomotives: A Railroad-by-Railroad Photohistory. Minneapolis, MN, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760343708. 
  • Wilson, Jeff (1999). F Units: The Diesels That Did It. Golden Years of Railroading series. Waukesha, WI, USA: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890243743. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD F7 locomotives.
Railcars/Trainsets
Diesel locomotives
  • GE Genesis P40DC
  • GE Genesis P42DC
  • EMD F59PHI
  • GE P32-8WH
  • EMD GP38H-3
Dual-Mode locomotives
  • GE Genesis P32AC-DM
Electric locomotives
Work locomotives
Former locomotives
Diesel
Dual-Mode
Electric
Gas Turbine
Work locomotives
Diesel cab and cowl locomotives built by GM-EMD
Cab units
(F- & E-units)
Cowl units
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.