I was wondering if anyone knew what a 1950’s FP7 and a FA-1???
Thanks.
The FP7 was a 1500 hp diesel built by Electro Motive Division of General Motors. It was intended as a “dual service” engine (i.e., suitable for both passenger and freight service) but was used by most roads which purchased it as a passenger engine.
The FA-1 was a 1600 hp diesel built by American Locomotive Co. Theoretically, it could have been used in “dual service”, but just about all of these units were used for freight.
An FP-7 is also a little longer than a stock F7. Best spotting feature is a round water tank under the frame right behind the cab. Looks like a big 55 gallongdrum on its side. Purpose was to hold water for the train heating. i beleive it is 4’ longer and would have had higher gearing than a freight F unless is was for dual pirpose and slower speeds were aqccptable. Other tha that it was pretty much a stock F7.
thanks but does any have any pictures of these two engines
Nedarb,
Here’s a link to a keyword search at the Index of Magazines:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=FP7&MAG=ANY
It had a lot of hits, perhaps you’ll be equally lucky if you do a keyword search on the FA1.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
For pictures of FP7s, FA-1s, and every other North American diesel produced before 1972, see the Kalmbach book, “Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years,” by Louis a. Marre. It’s avaialble at hobby shops and online at the Shopping section of this web site.
By the way, the Alco FA-1 cab units and FB-1 boosters were rated at 1,500 hp, not 1,600. Alco stepped up the horsepower to 1,600 in its next carbody road diesels, the FA-2 and FB-2 (which Mr. Marre tells us were introduced in October of 1950).
so long,
Andy
Hey Andy,
Your April issue was top notch. Good job.
Dave
Look in the Louis Marre books or any of the Morning Sun color books on the Rock Island. they had them both.
The FA-1s were mostly freight haulers but the Rock had a tendency to use everything for everything.
Rob