I have a photo of my grandfather sitting in the engineer's seat of what I believe to be an F unit locomotive. However, I do not know which type of F unit it is. F7? F8? F9?
I'm wondering if any of you can tell the type of F unit by looking at his photo? (unfortunately, I can't figure out how to attach the picture to this message, but if you reply, I can email it to you.)
Thanks!
Ed
If it's on the Chicago & North Western, it's probably an F7A, especially it was in suburban service. A variety of secondhand F's were puchased in the 1970's for freight service.
Is there a "magical" way to insert photos to these posts? I've tried using the Insert tab, but it doesn't work. I'd like to be able to show you the photo I have, just to make sure.
I've searched online for interior pictures of F units but none of them look like the locomotive my grandfather is sitting in.
Upload the photo to a 3rd party site. Use the link of the photo from the 3rd party site to have it display on the trains site.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
CNW Lover]I have a photo of my grandfather sitting in the engineer's seat of what I believe to be an F unit locomotive. However, I do not know which type of F unit it is. F7? F8? F9?
There is no "F8" locomotive. Changes comparable to those between E7 and E8 were rolled into F7 production and by the time of a 'major upgrade' went straight to parity with the E9s. Or so went the tale as I heard it.
In the absence of the photo itself: what tells you this is an F unit (rather than, say, an E or some other cab unit)? If for example you can see the road number painted on the cab wall, and have even a short list of roads your grandfather worked for, there are people here who would know...
I use Imgur to put pics on the Internet. It's free. Select hidden and not public when you download your pic, then it will upload it to the Internet when completed ( seconds), then use the insert image button on this site.
If you still can't do it for sone reason send me a private message on this site and I will forward my email and post it for you when received.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOkZaIgXaIAHFv67cUbm9FImsLQBCbNOttKo3J9
I uploaded the photo to Google Photos. The link in the previous message will get you the photo. I just don't know how to get it to show up in this message box. SORRY!
My grandfather worked for Chicago Northwestern his whole career. Starting as a fireman and working his way up to engineer.
I don't know anything about E vs F locomotives. I just assumed (you know what that can lead to!) it was an F unit based on the curvature of the front window that is partially in the picture. But, when I searched online for pictures of E units, they seem to have the same shaped locomotive front. So, I'm lost!
If anyone on this forum can help me figure this out, I sure would appreciate it!
I tried contacting the CNW Historical Society but they didn't have any information about which routes my grandfather worked. All they could tell me was that he WAS a CNW employee.
I get nothing but a 404 error clicking that Google Photos link -- can you check, and edit the link as required?
I believe from the E7 on, the functional curves of the upper bulldog nose and windshields were common between the E and F (the pilots could be notably different). A story, possibly apocryphal, is that the windshield glazing or pattern in some of those EMD cabs is taken from a pair of contemporary automobile windshields - I think I remember '35 or '36 Chevy. All in the family!
I think if any part of the brake control gear is visible, you might tell from that. At least some passenger units used a different valve setup
I've contacted Miningman, as he kindly offered to help, and sent him the picture. Hopefully, he can get it to post on this forum. (Strangely, the link works for me....perhaps because Google recognizes my computer????)
Here is the situation as I currently understand it: the link, which is
is available only to people who sign in using a Google account.
UPDATE: as it turns out, both my phone and 'main' computer are, in fact, signing into Google to retrieve the image, and Google is saying it can't find it.
So please copy and post the image URL again; something might be missing in the transcription. I'll probably be able to see it when a 'good' URL is there. Note that Google is not saying access is restricted to the photo -- they can't find it 'by that name' at all.
Here we are!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!
No problem, glad to help out.
Certainly hope someone can can solidly identify the locomtive model from its control stand features.
Double post, see below.
Well, since on-one else has ventured an opinion...
From the information available from the photograph I think it's almost impossible to determine just what your grandfather's in command of. Most of the EMD F and E cabs were pretty much "cookie-cutter" standard set-ups with little or no variation. It looks like every other EMD F and E unit cab photo I've seen. Of course that, and excellent interchangeability of parts was the secret to EMD's success after all.
Were I you I wouldn't agonize over this. anyway you look at it it's a wonderful picture of your grandfather, a great keepsake.
Whoever took the picture concentrated on the man, and not the machine.
If you're a rail modeler or toy train fan a framed copy of the photo would be a great addition to the decor of your train room!
Opinions, anyone?
Dilly dilly!
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Miningman
I am not an expert on the appearance of C&NW two-speed automatic train control, but I have to think I'm looking at something very like it. Is that white roughly cubical box at the side window corner part of the ATC? Can anyone read or does anyone recognize the box over the window, with the two jewel lights and the handle facing directly down in the half-circular part, with several labeled positions?
OvermodI am not an expert on the appearance of C&NW two-speed automatic train control, but I have to think I'm looking at something very like it. Is that white roughly cubical box at the side window corner part of the ATC?
My guess would be perhaps an F3 or E6.
Overmod Miningman I am not an expert on the appearance of C&NW two-speed automatic train control, but I have to think I'm looking at something very like it. Is that white roughly cubical box at the side window corner part of the ATC? Can anyone read or does anyone recognize the box over the window, with the two jewel lights and the handle facing directly down in the half-circular part, with several labeled positions?
I believe the box over the window is the headlight control switch.
The ATC cab signal would be placed between front windshields so everyone in the cab could easily see it. The GRS ATC box had 4 lights. A green light (clear aspect) with a white motion light underneath it. The motion light would (should) be on at speeds over about 6 mph. To the right of those would be a red light over a yellow light. Both would illuminate to display the restricting aspect.
Jeff
jeffhergertI believe the box over the window is the headlight control switch..... Jeff
zardoz jeffhergert I believe the box over the window is the headlight control switch..... Jeff Any idea what that black gizmo is that is mounted between the Engineer and the automatic brake valve? Perhaps an old-style feed valve?
jeffhergert I believe the box over the window is the headlight control switch..... Jeff
Any idea what that black gizmo is that is mounted between the Engineer and the automatic brake valve? Perhaps an old-style feed valve?
I found a illustration in a Rock Island 1955 train handling instruction book. It appears to be a DSE-24-H brake valve, Electo-Pneumatic Brake, 24-RL equipment. The black gizmo is labled as "self-lapping portion". The feed valve would be out of the picture towards the floor.
Being an Electro-Pneumatic brake, I'm thinking it might be an E unit. At least something that, at least at one time, was used in passenger service.
Where did your grandfather live? It would narrow down which routes he may have ran.
My grandfather lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But, according to my mother, he used to go to the CNW shops in Milwaukee and catch a ride on a locomotive to Chicago, where he would pick up his assignment and run the train from there.
We don't know if he operated freight or passenger routes. And, unfortunately, my father passed away years ago so I can't ask him.
The few recollections I do have are of my father being able to get free rides on CNW trains from Milwaukee to a station near Crivitz, Wisconsin, because his dad (my grandfather) worked for the CNW. We had a camping spot near Coleman, Wisconsin, and my dad would come up every other weekend.
My grandfather also furnished me with ball bearings of various sizes so I had the best collection of "steelies" for playing marbles of any kid in my elementary school.
The nearest C&NW station to Crivitz would be Marinette. I have cousins who used to run a grocrey store in Crivitz and my aunt and brother and I took the "Peninsula 400" to Marinette one year where they met us at the train.
I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to my original post. While we didn't come to a definitive locomotive type that my grandfather's picture shows, I enjoyed reading your replies and learning more about the locomotive's interior construction and various control placement.
You're the best!
And thank you for the kind words!
So many times a poster will ask a question which will garner a number of responses, and then disappear without a "thank you" leaving us to wonder if our responses were adequate. Mildly frustrating, to say the least.
Let me speak for all and say we're glad of whatever assistance we could be to you.
CNW lover: Just for reference, this is a photo of the cab of a CNW (Metra) suburban F7 (#414 sitting in the Chicago Passenger Terminal awaiting departure, in case you care).
F7 cab in CNW Chicago depot by Jim, on Flickr
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