HUTCH 7.62 Wrote:
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> Berg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I thought I would link this for those who love
> > CF7's. In 1986 with the original curved roof.
> >
> >
> [www.locophotos.com]
>
> > D=143532
>
>
> Did ATSF nail it? Or was the CF 7 an awful
> locomotive???
>

I can only speak to the ones Amtrak acquired from Santa Fe: they were horrible units to switch with.

All the ones I encountered still had their original control stands and air brake pedestals, so it was like switching with an F unit. Santa Fe had added a "SWITCHING/ROAD" toggle switch; in theory, it should've made them load faster in "Switching," but the difference was minimal. Sliding side windows had replaced the original crank style, but they had a tendency to fall out when opened quickly, apparently the result of the sides flexing.

During my tenure with Amtrak Zone 12 in Southern California in 1986-'87, three "switchers" were required to cover the daily yard and Pin Up jobs. Two CF7s (593 and 594) and one GP7 (762) were operable, with the (ex-Wabash) Geep being by far the best. Redondo Jct. also had two other Geeps and a CF7 stored out of service (they eventually repaired the 598 and used it).