SLSF 132, F7B 133, F7B 130, F7A 38 in one consist F7B SLSF 132, F7B SLSF 133, F7B 130, F7A 38 in one consist, Sherman, TX, 1968. This is a good mix that I believe represents all paint schemes applied to the "covered wagons". Notice the rear door is open on the rear B unit. It was necessary to enter the unit to remove the multiple unit (MU) electrical jumper connections to a trailing unit.
F7B SLSF 138 (SLSF 5138) That is an old photograph. I do not think I ever saw a F unit in all black without the cigar band before. It just looks bare without that yellow stripe. George
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) This is a great thread to reference for the F7B units. I noticed from Mike Condern's Frisco Paint Shop the original B units did not have Frisco lettering on the side or running numbers. Were the original B units marked with running numbers anywhere? What numbers were used for the B units before renumbering? Thanks,
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Yes, as delivered, there were small unit numbers on the lower side of the B-units, in yellow, close to the rear, no bigger than 2" tall. The F3As started the SLSF 5000 series. The F3Bs started the SLSF 5100 series. In the beginning, the Frisco bought their EMD Fs in ABBA sets. Later on, when the F7s, F9Bs and FP7As came along, the 1:1 ratio of A-units and B-units was not always 1:1, although it was close. We wound up with 52 EMD A-units and 53 EMD B-units. Ken
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Ken, Do you know the date when the Frisco renumbered the F units in the larger numbers? Terry
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Terry, Good question, and I do not have a specific factual answer. Based on some evidence from dated photographs, here is what I surmise. The F3 ABBA sets started to arrive in January, 1948. They were, of course, in their delivery paint scheme which included the Frisco name along the side of the A-unit, no Frisco name on the side of the B-unit, large road numbers in the nose number boards of the A-units, and small, maybe 2", road numbers on the lower side, in the yellow, close to the end of both the A & B-units. See the Athearn Genesis F3 A and B units for an example of what I am saying. They are in the F3 delivery scheme. With only the nose number boards showing a large unit number, no doubt it was difficult at times to catch the unit numbers of the locomotives as they roared by a depot, tower, etc. I think the F3 units ran this way until their first shopping that included some paint work, probably two-three years or so into their service life. The Frisco F7 units, also as ABBA sets, started to show up mid-1949. I have early photographs of the F7 units that show the more familiar scheme with large unit numbers in the nose number boards, but now a large yellow road number on the side of the A-unit in the black area below the cab window. The F7Bs now also showed up differently. A large road number was now placed on the side of the B-unit, in the black, close to the front of the unit. And, further back down the side of the unit, the Frisco name appeared, roughly centered on the fuel tank, at about the same spot as on the A-unit. And, now there were no small 2" road numbers on the sides of either the A or B units. On some units, however, there was a road number, sometimes in yellow, sometimes in white, on the rear end of the unit. Thus, I think the F7 units and on were delivered in the familiar black and yellow scheme we all love so much. As the F3 units were shopped, they were updated to the same scheme as the F7 units, keeping their same road numbers. Much easier to catch unit numbers as a train went by with this scheme. This scenario fits the pictures I have in my collection. Any other opinions, or evidence out there? It would be welcome. It is a good question! KJW
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Ken, interesting timeline. Thanks very much for providing. I find it interesting that the Mandarin orange and white repaints of any "A" units moved the unit number from under the cab to the rear sides of the units. I wonder what the rationale was for that change, but it is probably a question for another thread or topic. Best Regards,
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) The first "austerity" black and yellow versions of the F A-units (ugh!) kept the side road number where it was, under the cab window. But, later on when they renumbered the F's, while still in black and yellow austerity colors (ugh again!), the large side number was indeed moved back toward the end of the unit. See F3A SLSF 5012 renumbered to SLSF 62 in austerity black and yellow. When they did these all of guys in Mandarin orange and white, as you suggest Chris, they did all of them with the side road number towards the back of the unit. No doubt the motivation was that it was better to have the number towards the rear as there always was a large road number up front in the nose road number housings. The poor guy out on the ground had a better chance with this arrangement to catch all of the unit numbers as the "Frisco Faster Freight" roared by! Ken
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Just curious why any one on the ground would need all the engine numbers. Jerome-OKC
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Maybe a conductor standing by the tracks filling out his paperwork could look at it the small number and would not have to go up front to look at the number boards. Tom G.
F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) F7B SLSF 130 (SLSF 5130) Ken, Thanks for all the great information. Would it be safe to say the FRISCO and road numbers on the B units were the same size as the A units?
