Wow, that is a seriously old photo, I do not recognize any of the devices in the cab. Other than generic descriptions of equipment (automatic brake, headlight control, etc), nothing looks familiar–all of the F7s and E8s I was ever on were configured for suburban service with different equipment. The F7 cabs were upgraded to include 26L and other more ‘modern’ appliances. The E8&9s were mostly unmodified, and still had their 24RL automatic, along with the old-style control stand, still equiped with a (non-functional) transition lever.
I believe the box over the window is the headlight control switch.
The ATC cab signal would be placed between front windshields so everyone in the cab could easily see it. The GRS ATC box had 4 lights. A green light (clear aspect) with a white motion light underneath it. The motion light would (should) be on at speeds over about 6 mph. To the right of those would be a red light over a yellow light. Both would illuminate to display the restricting aspect.
I found a illustration in a Rock Island 1955 train handling instruction book. It appears to be a DSE-24-H brake valve, Electo-Pneumatic Brake, 24-RL equipment. The black gizmo is labled as “self-lapping portion”. The feed valve would be out of the picture towards the floor.
Being an Electro-Pneumatic brake, I’m thinking it might be an E unit. At least something that, at least at one time, was used in passenger service.
Where did your grandfather live? It would narrow down which routes he may have ran.
My grandfather lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But, according to my mother, he used to go to the CNW shops in Milwaukee and catch a ride on a locomotive to Chicago, where he would pick up his assignment and run the train from there.
We don’t know if he operated freight or passenger routes. And, unfortunately, my father passed away years ago so I can’t ask him.
The few recollections I do have are of my father being able to get free rides on CNW trains from Milwaukee to a station near Crivitz, Wisconsin, because his dad (my grandfather) worked for the CNW. We had a camping spot near Coleman, Wisconsin, and my dad would come up every other weekend.
My grandfather also furnished me with ball bearings of various sizes so I had the best collection of “steelies” for playing marbles of any kid in my elementary school.
The nearest C&NW station to Crivitz would be Marinette. I have cousins who used to run a grocrey store in Crivitz and my aunt and brother and I took the “Peninsula 400” to Marinette one year where they met us at the train.
I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to my original post. While we didn’t come to a definitive locomotive type that my grandfather’s picture shows, I enjoyed reading your replies and learning more about the locomotive’s interior construction and various control placement.
So many times a poster will ask a question which will garner a number of responses, and then disappear without a “thank you” leaving us to wonder if our responses were adequate. Mildly frustrating, to say the least.
Let me speak for all and say we’re glad of whatever assistance we could be to you.
CNW lover: Just for reference, this is a photo of the cab of a CNW (Metra) suburban F7 (#414 sitting in the Chicago Passenger Terminal awaiting departure, in case you care).
