ATSF F7A Bluebonnet

ATSF F7A Bluebonnet

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

ATSF F7A Bluebonnet
• config.txt 18.13KB
• dls_thumbnail.jpg 9.18KB
f7_sfred_alpha_numbers
alphanumber_0.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_1.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_2.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_3.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_4.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_5.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_6.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_7.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_8.tga 4.04KB
alphanumber_9.tga 4.04KB
f7_sfred_art
f7_sfred_art_512.texture.txt 81 bytes
f7_sfred_art_512.tga 1.00MB
f7_sfred_art_icon.texture.txt 83 bytes
f7_sfred_art_icon.tga 32.53KB
f7_sfred_body
cupla.texture.txt 28 bytes
cupla.tga 768.04KB
digit_1.texture.txt 30 bytes
digit_1.tga 1.04KB
digit_2.texture.txt 30 bytes
digit_2.tga 1.04KB
digit_3.texture.txt 30 bytes
digit_3.tga 1.04KB
digit_4.texture.txt 30 bytes
digit_4.tga 1.04KB
digit_5.texture.txt 30 bytes
digit_5.tga 1.04KB
digit_6.texture.txt 30 bytes
digit_6.tga 1.04KB
env_glass.bmp 12.05KB
env_glass.texture.txt 32 bytes
env_metal.bmp 12.05KB
env_metal.texture.txt 32 bytes
f7_sfred_a.texture.txt 33 bytes
f7_sfred_a.tga 4.00MB
f7_sfred_b.texture.txt 33 bytes
f7_sfred_b.tga 512.53KB
f7_sfred_body.im 433.76KB
f7_sfred_c.texture.txt 33 bytes
f7_sfred_c.tga 48.04KB
light.texture.txt 28 bytes
light.tga 3.04KB
light_o.bmp 2.05KB
santafe_sidegrill-santafe_sidegrill_opacity.texture.txt 77 bytes
santafe_sidegrill.tga 24.04KB
santafe_sidegrill_opacity.bmp 9.05KB
thumbnail.jpg 9.91KB
f7_sfred_shadow
black.texture.txt 28 bytes
black.tga 812 bytes
f7_sfred_shadow.im 5.16KB
• thumbnail.jpg 11.70KB