CF7
Encyclopedia
A CF7 is an EMD F-unit
railroad locomotive
that has had its streamlined carbody removed and replaced with a custom-made, "general purpose" body in order to adapt the unit for road switching
duty. All of the conversions were performed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
in their Cleburne, Texas
workshops between October, 1970 and March, 1978. The program was initiated in response to a system-wide need for more than 200 additional four-axle diesel hood unit
s to meet projected motive power demands on branch line
s and secondary main lines
.
Santa Fe's aging fleet of 200-series F-units were in dire need of overhaul, and were not suitable for switching service in their original configuration due to the poor visibility resulting from their full-width carbody; the engineer
was required to stick his or her head out of the window in order to see the end of the train or locomotive when coupling and uncoupling cars. As new, state-of-the-art locomotives cost upwards of $150,000 each at the time, Santa Fe elected to experiment with modifying its existing F-units to serve their purpose, which they hoped they could accomplish for around $60,000 each.
Changes in business philosophy led the company to sell off its entire CF7 inventory by 1987, with most of the units (all but 9) ending up in the hands of regional and short-line railroads, and a few excursion lines. A number remain in service today.
that entered the Cleburne shops in October, 1969. The unit was stripped down to bare metal, its sleek carbody removed and scrapped. Unlike hood units, cab units were structurally supported by their carbodies, so a new underframe had to be constructed. Next, a new road switcher carbody complete with walkways was manufactured and installed, along with numerous other upgrades traditionally associated with a comprehensive overhaul, including remanufactured prime movers, trucks, and traction motors (rebuilt at the San Bernardino, California
shops), refurbished electrical systems, and enhanced brakes. #262C was the only CF7 conversion ever equipped with dynamic brakes
, which were parted-out from the long hood of wrecked GP7B
#2788A.
In order for the salvaged hood to fit, some 7" had to be removed from the bottom of the hood where it connected to the main frame and the running board (all other units had long hoods fabricated from scratch by the Cleburne shop forces). A new rounded-roof and low short hood were constructed, and a new control stand installed. To increase versatility, the unit could operate in either switching mode or road service mode. All CF7s were configured with a B-B wheel arrangement and ran on two Blomberg B
two-axle trucks
, with all axles powered. All but one CF7 utilized the F-units' sixteen-cylinder EMD 567
series diesel engines as their prime mover, progressing from model 16-567B through 16-567C (#2452 was tested with an EMD 645
series turbocharged engine, which produced 2000 hp — however, the greater availability of parts for the 567 series, coupled with the perception that CF7s would be engaged primarily in switching duties, resulted in the original motors being retained). The engines were removed from their frames, completely dismantled and rebuilt, then reinstalled.
Assigned #2649 and painted in Santa Fe's blue and yellow Billboard scheme, the locomotive was placed into service in February 1970 and put through its paces during a series of shakedown runs between Cleburne and Dallas
. The unit was officially unveiled to the public on March 13. This initial conversion was considered a success, though several key modifications were incorporated into future units. Based on input from trainmen within the Santa Fe system, the steps on were lowered and enlarged to provide better footing for the brakeman
. Additionally, the grab irons were repositioned to enhance crew safety during switching movements.
During the 8-year program period a total of 233 CF7 conversions were performed (the total number of suitable F-units available in the fleet, as 24 had been involved in wrecks and deemed unusable). EMD F3
, F7
, and F9
models were all modified under the program. All but the modifications to #262C required approximately 45 days to complete per unit. The average retrofit cost was $40,000 per unit, well below Santa Fe's original target estimate. The CF7s went through a limited evolution during this time, most notably:
Nos. 2649–2617 came out of the shops wearing Santa Fe's Billboard paint scheme, while Nos. 2616–2417 were decorated in the Yellowbonnet livery. It is not clear why the Santa Fe chose to issue road numbers for its CF7 units in descending order.
hauling mainline drags. The units distinguished themselves working on potash
trains between Clovis
and Carlsbad, New Mexico
; Nos. 2612–2625, all equipped with remote control equipment (RCE), were typically "mated" to road slugs
(converted cabless F-units). CF7s also powered grain
trains across the Plains Division.
The Santa Fe had planned in the mid-1980s to renumber its CF7 fleet from 2649–2417 to 1131–1000 and repaint the units in the new "Kodachrome
" paint scheme, all in preparation for the upcoming Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad
(SPSF) merger. However, the Interstate Commerce Commission
(ICC) subsequently denied the merger application, and no CF7s were decorated in the new livery. Amtrak used some of them with mixed results
(6 were involved in wrecks and 3 others sent directly to the scrap yards), though Amtrak
and GE Transportation Systems
were among the major initial purchasers. By 1987, the company had divested itself of all of its CF7s.
, the first such organization to add a CF7 to its locomotive roster. Ironically, #2649 ended its days on the rails by contributing some of its parts toward the rebuilding of two F3 units owned by the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society
. The Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway
, a popular California
tourist railroad
, owns and operates two CF7s, 2600 & 2641 and the Grafton and Upton Railroad
, a short line
in Massachusetts
operates one CF7, #1500.
EMD F-unit
EMD F-units were a line of Diesel-electric locomotives produced between November 1939 and November 1960 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division and General Motors-Diesel Division. Final assembly for all F-units was at the GM-EMD plant at La Grange, Illinois and the GMDD plant in London, Ontario...
railroad locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
that has had its streamlined carbody removed and replaced with a custom-made, "general purpose" body in order to adapt the unit for road switching
Road switcher
A road switcher is a type of railroad locomotive used for delivering or picking up cars outside of a railroad yard. Since the road switcher must work some distance away from a yard, it needs to be able to operate at road speeds, it must also have high-visibility while it is switching, and it must...
duty. All of the conversions were performed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
in their Cleburne, Texas
Cleburne, Texas
Cleburne is a city in Johnson County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. According to 2007 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population is 29,050. It is the county seat of Johnson County. Cleburne is named for a Confederate General, Patrick Cleburne...
workshops between October, 1970 and March, 1978. The program was initiated in response to a system-wide need for more than 200 additional four-axle diesel hood unit
Hood unit
A hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
s to meet projected motive power demands on branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
s and secondary main lines
Main line (railway)
The Mainline or Main line of a railway is a track that is used for through trains or is the principal artery of the system from which branch lines, yards, sidings and spurs are connected....
.
Santa Fe's aging fleet of 200-series F-units were in dire need of overhaul, and were not suitable for switching service in their original configuration due to the poor visibility resulting from their full-width carbody; the engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
was required to stick his or her head out of the window in order to see the end of the train or locomotive when coupling and uncoupling cars. As new, state-of-the-art locomotives cost upwards of $150,000 each at the time, Santa Fe elected to experiment with modifying its existing F-units to serve their purpose, which they hoped they could accomplish for around $60,000 each.
Changes in business philosophy led the company to sell off its entire CF7 inventory by 1987, with most of the units (all but 9) ending up in the hands of regional and short-line railroads, and a few excursion lines. A number remain in service today.
Development
The first locomotive to go through the "Converted F7" Program was Santa Fe #262C, an F7A cab unit
Cab unit
A cab unit and a carbody unit are body styles of locomotives in railroad terminology. While closely related, they are not exactly the same....
that entered the Cleburne shops in October, 1969. The unit was stripped down to bare metal, its sleek carbody removed and scrapped. Unlike hood units, cab units were structurally supported by their carbodies, so a new underframe had to be constructed. Next, a new road switcher carbody complete with walkways was manufactured and installed, along with numerous other upgrades traditionally associated with a comprehensive overhaul, including remanufactured prime movers, trucks, and traction motors (rebuilt at the San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
shops), refurbished electrical systems, and enhanced brakes. #262C was the only CF7 conversion ever equipped with dynamic brakes
Dynamic braking
Dynamic braking is the use of the electric traction motors of a railroad vehicle as generators when slowing the Locomotive. It is termed rheostatic if the generated electrical power is dissipated as heat in brake grid resistors, and regenerative if the power is returned to the supply line...
, which were parted-out from the long hood of wrecked GP7B
EMD GP7
The EMD GP7 is a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division and General Motors Diesel between October, 1949 and May, 1954. Power was provided by an EMD 567B 16-cylinder engine which generated . The GP7 was offered both with and without control cabs, and...
#2788A.
In order for the salvaged hood to fit, some 7" had to be removed from the bottom of the hood where it connected to the main frame and the running board (all other units had long hoods fabricated from scratch by the Cleburne shop forces). A new rounded-roof and low short hood were constructed, and a new control stand installed. To increase versatility, the unit could operate in either switching mode or road service mode. All CF7s were configured with a B-B wheel arrangement and ran on two Blomberg B
Blomberg B
The Blomberg B was a "B" diesel locomotive truck. These trucks were the standard EMD four wheel truck from the FT up until the GP60. EMD introduced the truck in 1936. Unofficially it is named after Martin Blomberg, who joined the company the year before...
two-axle trucks
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
, with all axles powered. All but one CF7 utilized the F-units' sixteen-cylinder EMD 567
EMD 567
The EMD 567 is a line of diesel engines built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division. This engine, which succeeded Winton's 201-A, was used in EMD's locomotives from 1938 until its replacement in 1966 by the EMD 645. It has a bore of , a stroke of and a displacement of 567 in³ per cylinder...
series diesel engines as their prime mover, progressing from model 16-567B through 16-567C (#2452 was tested with an EMD 645
EMD 645
The EMD 645 family of diesel engines was designed and manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Intended primarily for locomotive, marine and stationary engine use, one 16-cylinder version powered the 33-19 "Titan" prototype haul truck designed by GM's Terex...
series turbocharged engine, which produced 2000 hp — however, the greater availability of parts for the 567 series, coupled with the perception that CF7s would be engaged primarily in switching duties, resulted in the original motors being retained). The engines were removed from their frames, completely dismantled and rebuilt, then reinstalled.
Assigned #2649 and painted in Santa Fe's blue and yellow Billboard scheme, the locomotive was placed into service in February 1970 and put through its paces during a series of shakedown runs between Cleburne and Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. The unit was officially unveiled to the public on March 13. This initial conversion was considered a success, though several key modifications were incorporated into future units. Based on input from trainmen within the Santa Fe system, the steps on were lowered and enlarged to provide better footing for the brakeman
Brakeman
A brakeman is a rail transport worker whose original job it was to assist the braking of a train by applying brakes on individual wagons. The advent of through brakes on trains made this role redundant, although the name lives on in the United States where brakemen carry out a variety of functions...
. Additionally, the grab irons were repositioned to enhance crew safety during switching movements.
During the 8-year program period a total of 233 CF7 conversions were performed (the total number of suitable F-units available in the fleet, as 24 had been involved in wrecks and deemed unusable). EMD F3
EMD F3
The EMD F3 was a , B-B freight- and passenger-hauling diesel locomotive produced between July 1945 and February 1949 by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant...
, F7
EMD F7
The EMD F7 was a Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors and General Motors Diesel . 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...
, and F9
EMD F9
The EMD F9 was a Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1953 and May 1960 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors and General Motors Diesel . It succeeded the F7 model in GM-EMD's F-unit sequence. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant. The F9 was also...
models were all modified under the program. All but the modifications to #262C required approximately 45 days to complete per unit. The average retrofit cost was $40,000 per unit, well below Santa Fe's original target estimate. The CF7s went through a limited evolution during this time, most notably:
- Unit Nos. 2649–2472 initially received rounded cab roofs (which, by preserving the contour left over from the F-unit roof, were expected to reduce costs — instead, it was found that the custom-fitted cab doors required by this arrangement were not economical, and many of the units eventually were modified with angled roofs), and Nos. 2471–2417 featured angled cab roofs from the onset;
- Unit Nos. 2649–2614 were outfitted with 2-stack exhaust systems, and Nos. 2613–2417 were equipped with 4-stack exhausts; and
- Most units converted beginning in 1973 had air conditioningAir conditioningAn air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
systems installed at the Cleburne facility; eventually all CF7s received cab air conditioners.
Nos. 2649–2617 came out of the shops wearing Santa Fe's Billboard paint scheme, while Nos. 2616–2417 were decorated in the Yellowbonnet livery. It is not clear why the Santa Fe chose to issue road numbers for its CF7 units in descending order.
In service
The CF7s worked within all segments of the Santa Fe system. While most saw action switching cars and transporting local freight, others could be found in multiple unit consistsTrain
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
hauling mainline drags. The units distinguished themselves working on potash
Potash
Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. In some rare cases, potash can be formed with traces of organic materials such as plant remains, and this was the major historical source for it before the industrial era...
trains between Clovis
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
and Carlsbad, New Mexico
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Carlsbad is a city in and the county seat of Eddy County, New Mexico, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 26,138. Carlsbad is the center of the designated micropolitan area of Carlsbad-Artesia, which has a total population of 55,435...
; Nos. 2612–2625, all equipped with remote control equipment (RCE), were typically "mated" to road slugs
Slug (railroad)
A railroad slug is an accessory to a diesel-electric locomotive. It has trucks with traction motors but is unable to move about under its own power, as it does not contain a prime mover to produce electricity...
(converted cabless F-units). CF7s also powered grain
Caryopsis
In botany, a caryopsis is a type of simple dry fruit — one that is monocarpelate and indehiscent and resembles an achene, except that in a caryopsis the pericarp is fused with the thin seed coat....
trains across the Plains Division.
The Santa Fe had planned in the mid-1980s to renumber its CF7 fleet from 2649–2417 to 1131–1000 and repaint the units in the new "Kodachrome
Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad
In the 1980s, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Southern Pacific Transportation Company attempted a merger. It began with the merger of holding companies Santa Fe Industries and Southern Pacific Company on December 23, 1983 to form the Santa Fe Southern Pacific Corporation , which...
" paint scheme, all in preparation for the upcoming Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad
In the 1980s, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Southern Pacific Transportation Company attempted a merger. It began with the merger of holding companies Santa Fe Industries and Southern Pacific Company on December 23, 1983 to form the Santa Fe Southern Pacific Corporation , which...
(SPSF) merger. However, the Interstate Commerce Commission
Interstate Commerce Commission
The Interstate Commerce Commission was a regulatory body in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads to ensure fair rates, to eliminate rate discrimination, and to regulate other aspects of common carriers, including...
(ICC) subsequently denied the merger application, and no CF7s were decorated in the new livery. Amtrak used some of them with mixed results
Afterlife
Changing philosophies regarding motive power expenditures led the Santa Fe to begin trimming its CF7 roster in 1984. The majority of the locomotives were sold for as little as $20,000 to short-line and regional railroads such as the Rail Link, Inc., the York Railway, and the Maryland and Delaware RailroadMaryland and Delaware Railroad
The Maryland and Delaware Railroad Company is a Class III short-line railroad, formed in 1977 to operate several branch lines of the former Penn Central Railroad in both Maryland and Delaware. These branches were omitted from the system plan for Conrail in 1976 and would have been discontinued...
(6 were involved in wrecks and 3 others sent directly to the scrap yards), though Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
were among the major initial purchasers. By 1987, the company had divested itself of all of its CF7s.
Preservation
At least one unit (#2546) has been restored and preserved at the Kentucky Railway Museum
Kentucky Railway Museum
The Kentucky Railway Museum, located in New Haven, Kentucky, United States, is a non-profit railroad museum dedicated to educating the public regarding the history and heritage of Kentucky's railroads and the people who built them. Originally created in 1954 in Louisville, Kentucky, the museum is...
, the first such organization to add a CF7 to its locomotive roster. Ironically, #2649 ended its days on the rails by contributing some of its parts toward the rebuilding of two F3 units owned by the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society
Anthracite Railroads Historical Society
Anthracite Railroads Historic Society, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 to preserve historic anthracite hauling railroads of eastern Pennsylvania...
. The Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway
Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway
The Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway is a freight and heritage railroad in Northern California.It uses diesel locomotives to haul excursion trains over an route between Olympia, California and an interchange with the Union Pacific Railroad at the Santa Cruz Wye, though the line is now...
, a popular California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
tourist railroad
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
, owns and operates two CF7s, 2600 & 2641 and the Grafton and Upton Railroad
Grafton and Upton Railroad
The Grafton and Upton Railroad is a Class III short line railroad in east-central Massachusetts. This 16.5 mile line connects runs from Grafton to Milford and connects to CSX Transportation lines at both ends...
, a short line
Short line
Short line or Short Line can refer to:*Short-line railroad, an independent railroad company that operates over a relatively short distance...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
operates one CF7, #1500.
External links
- CF7 list at rrpicturearchives.net
- CF7: "Cleburne F7" or "Converted F7"
- Eldon Whitworth, CF7 Program Coordinator — August 7, 1996 oral history interview at Russell Crump's Santa Fe Archive.
- EMD-Cleburne CF7s photo gallery.
- Santa Fe F7s and CF7s in Texas photo gallery.