F7 Diesel Locomotive

Prototype Information

The EMD F7 hit the tracks between 1949 and 1953, quickly becoming one of the most iconic diesel-electric locomotives in North America. With 1,500 horsepower under the hood and a V16 EMD 567B engine, it powered freight trains across the country, replacing steam locomotives and revolutionizing rail transport.

Railroads like Santa Fe, Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific ran F7s hard, and they delivered. The Santa Fe Warbonnet F7s, with their bold red and silver paint, became legendary in both freight and passenger service. More than 2,300 A-units and 1,400 B-units rolled out of EMD’s factories, cementing the F7 as one of the best-selling locomotives of its time.

Even after newer models took over, many F7s kept running for decades. Today, some still roar down the tracks on heritage railways, proving their lasting power.