Historic Locomotive's Uncertain Fate is Secure!Museum Saves 1950s Streamlined Diesel
After 74 years and multiple owners, an iconic diesel locomotive's future is finally secure – a piece of American history worthy of preservation. The General Motors model F-7A, with its unmistakable 1950s streamlined design, arrived at the Museum of the American Railroad at 10:00 AM today. Through the generosity of several individuals and organizations, the locomotive has finally eluded a series of retirements, years of storage, bankruptcy, and the scrapper's torch.
Following over a decade of storage in Alamosa, Colorado, the unit was acquired by the Museum in 2024. Last year, preparations began for movement on its own wheels to Texas, requiring a series of mechanical inspections and updates. Approvals for movement were finally secured early this year through the cooperation and support of the three railroads over which #9163 traveled. Upon arrival in Frisco, Texas, its survival is now assured under the stewardship of the Museum and its dedication to historic preservation.
We are indebted to three railroads for their support of this project: Colorado Pacific Rio Grande, Union Pacific, and BNSF. The trip from Alamosa, CO to Frisco, TX via Kansas City and Tulsa covered over 1,000 miles. The majority of the move was over BNSF trackage between Pueblo, CO and Irving/Frisco, TX. In this image, the line’s local traverses Museum trackage during delivery.
BNSF crew members pose next to #9163 at the Museum today. The locomotive was spotted on the Museum’s main lead at the south end. Safe and sound, the unit has traveled untold miles to its ultimate destination in Frisco, Texas as a prime example of railroading’s streamlined era.
Locomotive #9163 began life in 1952 as part of a fleet of Canadian National Railway F-7s manufactured by GM's Canadian subsidiary Electro-Motive Diesel. It joins its former running mate CN #9167, acquired by the Museum in 2000. Both were remanufactured in the 1970s, giving them a new lease on life. They were later retired by CN and sold to other operators.
CN F-7A locomotive #9163 was originally numbered #9116 following delivery from GM of Canada in 1952. The unit is seen here in CN’s later red and safety stripe scheme which replaced the original Maple Leaf green, yellow, and black scheme. It was retired from CN and sold to Waccamaw Coastline Railroad.
Locomotive #9163 sports Carolina Southern’s scheme, part of Waccamaw Coastline Railroad in 2000 where it powered trains carrying various commodities along the South Carolina coast. Following financial difficulties, #9163 was conveyed to R. J. Corman Railroad Group and later purchased by Iowa Pacific Holdings.
Preservation of #9163 was made possible by the generosity of Robert Van Camp, creator and producer of the award-winning PBS series Great Scenic Railway Journeys and friend of the Museum. Mr. Van Camp purchased the locomotive from Iowa Pacific Holdings. A long and rather unlikely series of events occurred to bring these two locomotives back together. It stems from a 1998 plan for the Museum to recreate a set of iconic Santa Fe F-7 locomotives painted in the "Warbonnet" passenger scheme. The red and silver paint adorned its legendary passenger trains, including those that operated in Texas. The two CN units allow for parts commonalities and similar upgrades over the years.
Locomotive #9163 is in remarkable condition mechanically and cosmetically, requiring minimal restoration to operational status. Its exterior will receive the Warbonnet paint scheme and will ultimately bracket the Museum's existing F-7 A-B set. Restoration of the cabless B-Unit is currently underway.
Preservation of F-7A #9163 was a partnership between the Museum and the generosity of the following individuals and organizations. Our sincere thanks to:
Acquisition:
Robert Van Camp, Creator and Producer of Great Scenic Railway Journeys for making the locomotive available
Funding for mechanical repairs and transportation:
Dani Muckleroy of the Muckleroy Foundation in memory of Robert N. Muckleroy
The Katherine Schulz Charitable Trust
Mechanical repairs & upgrades:
Stephen Butler and Morton Locomotive & Machine Work
BNSF Pueblo Mechanical Department
Transportation:
Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad, Alamosa Shop and operations – Alamosa to Walsenburg
Union Pacific Railroad Public Affairs and operating departments – Walsenburg to Pueblo
BNSF Railway Public Affairs and operating departments – Pueblo to Frisco
All three railroads handled the locomotive with kid gloves at greatly reduced costs.
Special thanks to:
Stephen Butler
Rich Wessler
The Museum of the American Railroad is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation based in the state of Texas. Chartered in 1962, the Museum exists to enrich the lives of others through meaningful, relevant programs and exhibits that relate the diverse history & technology of the Railroad and its profound impact on American life and culture.