The only surviving set of an EMD FT, which only two out of the four locomotives are coupled.
The Electro-Motive Division (EMD) F Series was a series of streamlined or "cab" (often referred to as "cowl" as a result of having a protective "shell" covering the entire locomotive) 1,350 to 1,800 hp four-axle diesel locomotives built from 1937 to 1960, which were used for freight and passenger service.
History[]
The first locomotive built in the series, was the FT; which was actually a set of two or three locomotives semi-permanently coupled in A-B or A-B-A sets ("A" units having cabs, with "B's" being cabless). But, railroads eventually wanted to have a completely independent set of locomotives able to operate individually, or uncouple as needed. Hence, the introduction of the F2, F3, F7, F9, and other counter-parts (most of the FT's were later modified to run as independent units.)
The FT was the first type of mass-produced diesel road locomotive ever produced for American and North American railroads (although the GE "boxcab" was the first commercially successful type of diesel locomotive built for such.
Types And/Or Models/Variants[]
There are (and have been) many versions of the EMD F Series:
An Amtrak FP9 leading two SDP40F units during the early years of the railroad (before the introduction of the EMD F40PH).
- FT (first version built)
- F2
- F3
- F7
- FP7 (Modified version of an F7 that is 4 feet longer, and feature a steam generator)
- F9
- FP9 (A modified version of the EMD F9. See page for more details.)
- FL9 (One of the only B-A1A type locomotives built with third rail shoes for dual-mode service into Grand Central Terminal.)
Trivia[]
- The EMD E Series is similar to the F Series, but the E Series of locomotives have six-axles (A1A-A1A) and two prime movers.
- The ATSF (Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe; or Santa Fe) railroad rebuilt most of their F7 locomotives into their own unique CF7 switching locomotives.
- The FL9 was only purchased by the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, which is now part of the Metro North commuter railroad.
- Chicago and North Western was one of the last users of the F7's (and F9's) running the "Push-Pull" commuter runs, (with the Double Decker cars) in and out of the Chicago Loop on the "Racetrack" line during the 1970's.
- Most modern railroads from the 1970's onwards had fleets of restored, rebuilt, and/or refurbished vintage F and E series units which are used for hauling the respective railroad owner's executive trains or other specials. Such railroads as Norfolk Southern, use their units rebuilt and refurbished A-B-B-A F-unit carbodies covering GP38-2 mechanics (primarily the A units; B units are refurbished F9B units) to haul their OCS and/or executive trains and other specials.
- CSX once had a fleet of executive F units, but replaced them with former Amtrak F40PH units from around 1997 to 2006 (with #9992 and #9993 purchased and received from 1997 to 1999, while #9998 and #9999 were purchased and received in 2006).
- Wilson from Chuggington is based on these units.