I have a question about locomotive names. Why did Santa Fe call their rebuilt locomotives CF7. i understand they were former f7’s but what does the C stand for? I am building a loco in ho scale out of a f9 and is similar to the CF7. Could i call it a F9RM, RM standing for rebuild? [?]
C=Cleburn, Texas, where the CF7s were “created.”
My experience is that the railroads called the locomotives whatever they wanted to, especially in the early days of the diesel (we won’t get into steam). I can’t cite specific examples, but in many cases, the model number with which we are mostly familiar was far from the specific RR designation.
I believe that you can call it anything you desire. Unless I’m mistaken…which is not an uncommon occurance…ATSF buit CF7s out of all varieties of F units that were left F3s, F7s and F9s. I am a big fan of CF7s they are some of the first locomotives I saw as a kid. Some good reading if you are interested. http://www.qstation.org/CF7/CF7_Background.html
I hate the CF7 they are UGLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
I read that the C stands for “Converted”
You build a CF7???
The Athearn model is very good and cheap!!!
Shaun,
The use of “M” for “modified” dates back to the 1950s when EMD started rebuilding seriously damaged locomotives into a current model. Santa Fe had a few. One was a GP7M built using salvaged electrical equipment from an FT, which limited it to 1350HP. there were also the “rebuilds” of the E1 class as E-8s which kept only the trucks, motors and generators. That limited them to 2000HP.
“M” has been used more widely, by GE to suggest a different carbody (in export units, mainly).
Other letters include “R” for rebuilt, used a lot in Australia for upgraded EMD units, as in AAT22C-2R for basically an SD39-2 in a double ended F unit carbody (I’ve got photos if you don’t believe me!)
“U” for upgraded, is used on the VIA rail F9s rebuilt (as FP9AUs) relatively recently to hold the system together until the P42s arrived.
But in general, you only need to use one letter, such as F9M or F9R but not both!
Peter
cf7=converted f7
Oh come on Doggy, they are cute, kinda look like a pug dog on steroids.
And Dan, the CF7 site was very informative, thanks.
Jeff
the maumee and western has one of those rebuilts along with a gp9 (bn green) and a rebuilt gp 11 from illinois central.[;)]
stay safe
Joe
I thought that an “M” on GM locomotives meant a wide cab, as in SD70M.
But come to think of it, what do all the letters stand for, especially with GE locomotives?
For example: DASH9-44CW–what do the “C” and “W” stand for?
See you around the forums,
Daniel
I disliked the CF7 because they took a beautiful F units with their classic lines and just butchered them up something awful. I think the Amtrak genesis locomotives are better looking than the CF7’s.
George
Shaun, and others
A lot of data relevant to these questions was posted on a thread called “Dash 9” started by Willy2. I’ve posted some additional Alco data on that thread to bring it back up for anyone interested to read!
Peter