Grain Train with CF7 Power

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In the late 1960's the Santa Fe Railway needed new power. They shopped around with the major manufacturers of diesel locomotives and found that they were very expensive.

They discovered that they could remanufacture their existing fleet of obsolete F7 locomotives and solve their motive power shortage for about 1/3 of what new power would cost.

All of the F7's still available were converted to CF7's. (The "C" stands for "Converted") The work was done at Santa Fe's Cleburne Shops in Texas. The first F7 converted to CF7 was unit #2649 in February of 1970.

This video highlights three of the CF7's. Units 2649, 2489 and 2496. All CF7's have 1,500 HP and only 2649 has dynamic brakes.

The CF7's were a great success and very reliable for road and switching duties. CF7 2417 was the last CF7 manufactured at Cleburne in March of 1978.