Locomotive Class

F7 Class

F7 Class Class: F7 Class
Type: Diesel-Electric
Designer: General Motors Electro-Motive Div.
Weight: 104 tons
Purpose: Mixed Traffic

Information: First Generation diesel-electric F-Class locomotives designed and built between 1939 and 1960 by General Motors Electro-Motive Div. (EMD) are considered the most successful of the diesel pioneer projects in North America , with the F7 being the most numerous of all design variants.

Details: The original F series was introduced by EMD in 1939 and with subsequent improvements various classes were built through 1960. The F7 design, built between 1949 and 1953, were the most numerous, with 2,366 F7 cab units and 1,483 F7-B booster units, with-out cab controls being built. F7 units were supplied to many railroads through-out the United States, Canada, and Mexico with many variations catering to specific operational needs of individual customers. US and Mexican orders were assembled at the LaGrange, Illinois facility while Canadian customers were supplied by the London, Ontario subsidiary.
Originally intended as a freight locomotive by EMD, many units saw operation in passenger traffic, including front line named train services such as Santa Fe’s Super Chief and Canadian Pacific’s “The Canadian”.
A wide variety of options were provided to purchasing companies. Units could be geared to match speed requirements and were capable of top-speeds between 50-MPH to 120-MPH. The versatile design proved both economical and low maintenance. Although successful in most aspects, the entire F-series failed in one aspect. Remember, it had been intended as a freight locomotive; and in single unit operation the single cab arrangement proved ineffective at best.
Due to their car body style construction, the F-series locomotives allowed operating companies to take advantage of stylised and colourful liveries, hitherto uncommon with American railroad practice.
By 1953, EMD had introduced the more powerful F9 design variant. F7’s units survived in daily operation well into the 1970’s and beyond. The units also proved popular with secondary railroads as original owners up-dated their respective fleets.
Many have survived into preservation in both static and operational condition.

John Faulkner

F7 Class Releases (12)

MODEL NO. LIVERY
C.P. Rail Diesel A Unit (Canada)
Released: 1970c 1971c 1973c
1404 C.P. Red
Canadian National Diesel Locomotive 4008 C.N. Black
Canadian Pacific Diesel (Canada)
Released: 1967c 1969c 1970c
4008 C.P. Grey & Maroon
Diesel B Unit - Non Powered
Released: 1958 1959 1960
4008 T.R. Silver & Red
Diesel B Unit - Non Powered
Released: 1956 1957
4009 T.R. Various
Transcontinental A Unit Diesel
Released: 1971a 1972 1973a
1404 T.R. Various
Transcontinental A Unit Diesel
Released: 1962 1963 1965c 1970a
4008 T.R. Silver & Red
Transcontinental A Unit Diesel (Aust)
Released: 1962a 1965a 1966a 1967a
4008 T.R. Silver & Red TransAustralia
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive
Released: 1958 1959 1960 1960a 1961
4008 T.R. Silver & Red
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive
Released: 1955 1956 1957
4008 T.R. Various
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive - Non Powered
Released: 1958 1959 1960 1960a 1961
4008 T.R. Silver & Red
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive - Non Powered
Released: 1955 1956 1957
4008 T.R. Various

F7 Class Images (12)

C.P. Rail Diesel A Unit (Canada)
C.P. Rail Diesel A Unit (Canada) 1404

Canadian National Diesel Locomotive
Canadian National Diesel Locomotive 4008

Canadian Pacific Diesel (Canada)
Canadian Pacific Diesel (Canada) 4008

Diesel B Unit - Non Powered
Diesel B Unit - Non Powered 4008

Diesel B Unit - Non Powered
Diesel B Unit - Non Powered 4009

Transcontinental A Unit Diesel
Transcontinental A Unit Diesel 1404

Transcontinental A Unit Diesel
Transcontinental A Unit Diesel 4008

Transcontinental A Unit Diesel (Aust)
Transcontinental A Unit Diesel (Aust) 4008

Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive 4008

Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive 4008

Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive - Non Powered
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive - Non Powered 4008

Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive - Non Powered
Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive - Non Powered 4008


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Database

11,328 yearly Items over 57 Years.
4,069 individual Items.
3,707 Models.
362 catalogued Train Sets.
156 Train Packs.
820 Steam Locomotives.
497 Diesel Locomotives.
1,082 Passenger Coaches.
1,152 Freight Wagons.


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