F45
From RailroadfanWiki
The F45 is a six axle locomotive built by EMD from 1967 to 1971. The locomotive was a cowled version of the SD45, and shared many components, including a 20 cylinder 645E3 engine rated at 3,600 horsepower. A total of 86 units were built for the Santa Fe, Great Northern and Burlington Northern.
EMD developed a freight version of the FP45 locomotive without a steam generator when development of the FP45 began, with the goal of creating a market for a cowled freight locomotive. Santa Fe officials were impressed by the FP45's that had been acquired earlier, which resulted in the ordering of 40 additional F45's, including 20 that were equipped with steam lines for use on passenger trains.
They wore the roads standard paint scheme when delivered but were gradually repainted into the blue/yellow "yellow bonnet" in the 1970's. Unlike their FP45 sisters, the F45's remained in this paint style until retirement. A decision to rebuild the units was made in the 1980's, with the units now classified as SDF45's, but they were still referred to as F45's by many.
Morrison Knudsen would later acquire seven units, which removed any Santa Fe markings then leased the units back to the Santa Fe, and one to the Utah Railway.
Santa Fe successor BNSF retired the last of units in the early 2000's, with the reminder of the MKM fleet being either sold or scrapped. The railroad also sold 7 F45's (along with an FP45) to the Wisconsin Central which were later disposed of by Canadian National.
Great Northern also expressed interest in the F45 during the same time frame when Santa Fe was placing orders for new units with the notion that an enclosed locomotive would be advantageous in the harsh winters along their lines. GN ordered 14 units and placed them in through service along its Minneapolis-Seattle mainline.
GN successor Burlington Northern ordered 32 more F45's and maintained the largest fleet into the 1980's when the units were disposed of. Two units were sold to BN spin-off Montana Rail Link, while another 2 were sold to the Susquehanna, along with some ex BN SD45's.
The short lived Transisco Tours operated a trio of ex BN F45's during the 1990's, one of which was purchased from Doyle McCormick (operator of SP GS-4 #4449) who had an F45 painted in a Southern Pacific inspired paint scheme. It was later sold to Montana Rail Link. Most of the F45's ended up being sold for scrap, but a few soldier on for MRL and one on the NYSW.
Roster of F45's
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