Via Rail F7A

Via Rail F7A

GM-EMD F7A & B

In 1939 General Motors Electro - Motive Division issued a challenge to the supremacy of steam traction with the introduction of the FT class.

Although proven as capable traction for passenger traffic, many were sceptical of the ability of diesels to haul freight. GM launched an 11 month tour of 35 states and 20 Class 1 railroads demonstrating the advantages of modern traction.

The FT class (F for freight T for 2700 hp with b-unit) proved a capable machine, hauling more freight, using less fuel and requiring less maintenance than any steam locomotive. Several units could be combined to meet horsepower requirements; this ability to 'lash' several units together, meant that a single crew could operate them using 'multiple unit' controls.

Originally designed for freight, F-units were widely used on passenger services, many being fitted with boilers for passenger car heating.

Over 7600 A & B units were built between 1939-1960 ending with the FL9, making them the top selling cab unit of all time. The F unit inspired a more colourful era in the history of railroads, as several operators adourned the art deco carbodies with flamboyant liveries such as the famous Santa Fe 'warbonnet' scheme.


Model: GM-EMD F7A
Horsepower: 1500
Engine: EMD 567B (16cyl 2-stroke)
Max.Speed: 65 mph (62:15)
Built: 1949-1953

Author: James Hunt

Via Rail F7A
• bno_sidegrill-bno_sidegrill_opacity.texture.txt 69 bytes
• bno_sidegrill.tga 24.04KB
• bno_sidegrill_opacity.bmp 9.05KB
• config.txt 3.92KB
• digit_1a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_1a.tga 1.04KB
• digit_1b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_1b.tga 4.04KB
• digit_2a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_2a.tga 1.04KB
• digit_2b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_2b.tga 4.04KB
• digit_3a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_3a.tga 1.04KB
• digit_3b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_3b.tga 4.04KB
• digit_4a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_4a.tga 1.04KB
• digit_4b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_4b.tga 4.04KB
• digit_5a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_5a.tga 1.04KB
• digit_5b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_5b.tga 4.04KB
• digit_6a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_6a.tga 1.04KB
• digit_6b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• digit_6b.tga 4.04KB
• env_metal.bmp 48.05KB
• env_metal.texture.txt 32 bytes
• f7_bno_a.texture.txt 31 bytes
• f7_bno_a.tga 192.04KB
• f7_bno_b.texture.txt 31 bytes
• f7_bno_b.tga 96.04KB
• f7_bno_c.texture.txt 31 bytes
• f7_bno_c.tga 12.04KB
f7_via_alpha_numbers
alphanumber_0a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_0b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_1a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_1b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_2a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_2b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_3a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_3b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_4a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_4b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_5a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_5b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_6a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_6b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_7a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_7b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_8a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_8b.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_9a.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_9b.tga 4.04KB
f7_via_art
f7_bno_art_512.tga 1.00MB
f7_bno_art_icon.tga 32.04KB
f7_via_art_512.texture.txt 77 bytes
f7_via_art_icon.texture.txt 79 bytes
• light-light_o.texture.txt 47 bytes
• light.tga 3.04KB
• light_o.bmp 2.05KB