Introduction[]
The Milwaukee Road F7s were a class of Six streamlined Baltics. Built by Alco from August to September 1938. They are among some of the fastest steam locomotives in the world. And were known to have been the fastest US steam locomotive's ever to Exist.
History[]
Built by Alco for the Milwaukee Road in 1938. They were used to pull the Hiawatha, along with the Class A 4-4-2, and also on other passenger trains on the Chicago-Twin Cities route, going from Chicago IL to Madison WI. Like the class A, the F7s were built streamlined from the ground up. Each had both a longbell 3 chime whistle an air horn, with the whistles being removed around the time the mars lights were added, and the horns relocated on the side of the locomotive towards the front. The F7 is known to have been the Fastest US steam locomotive in the USA, being able to go over 120MPH and there is an unconfirmed rumor of it reaching 125 Miles per hour. However, by 1951 all had been Retired and Scrapped before 1954.
The Last Run for "Hiawatha" Locomotive #102[]
On July 27th, 1950 was perhaps the most well-known date in the Class's History as F-7 Locomotive #102 was reportedly Running the "North Woods Hiawatha" at more than 90 Miles per Hour while Running Late. Around 7:18 Pm near Edgebrook Station in Chicago, IL, the Locomotive's right-Side Rods broke and severely Damaged the Side of the Boiler and Running Plates due to running Dry on a Mechanical Lubricator Failure at Speed stripping itself badly as the Air Hoses severed and Valve Gear Failed. It was reported passed a Crossing a Car Driver was Injured by the flying debris. The Locomotive was sent into an Emergency Stop as it took over Ten Thousand Feet to stop the Train Completely, nobody was Killed but it damaged the Roadbed and Street Crossings as the Accident also as Two Civilians were struck by Flying debris as one Railroad Worker was sustained by Serious Injuries as another had Minor. No derailments were made as it was still considered a Miracle that no one had Died, after Inspecting the Locomotive in Illinois the damage was so Major off the side that it was not Repairable and was Retired the next Month as it was Placed into Storage in Bensenville, IL. as a Parts Source for other F-7's until Scrapping came by 1952, as a Major Accident it was despite being Brand New barely a decade ago was the fact that nobody ever thought that a great Speedy Run that the Engine would make on that Day, would ever be its Last.
Stock List[]
| Number(s) | Builder | Serial | Year Built | Year Retired and Scrapped | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | ALCO-Schenectady | 69064 | August 1938 | November 1949 | Was first Production F-7, Delivered August 19th, 1938. This Locomotive was also first to be Retired.  |
| 101 | ALCO-Schenectady | 69065 | August 1938 | April 1951 | |
| 102 | ALCO-Schenectady | 69066 | August 1938 | August 1950 | Was severely Damaged due to Failed Crosshead Lubrication on July 27th, 1950 near Edgebrook, Chicago, IL. Never Repaired and was Scrapped by 1952. |
| 103 | ALCO-Schenectady | 69067 | August 1938 | June 1951 | |
| 104 | ALCO-Schenectady | 69068 | September 1938 | June 1951 | |
| 105 | ALCO-Schenectady | 69069 | September 1938 | August 1951 | Was Last of the F-7's to be Retired and was the Final 4-6-4 built for the Milwaukee. |
Gallery[]
