HISTORY OF 116-A

Chicago Great Western FP7 116-A was built by the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors in  La Grange, IL in December 1950.  116-A was placed into "In Service" by the CGW on January 2, 1951.  CGW 116-A was one of two EMD FP7 diesel dual-service freight/passenger locomotives purchased by the CGW Railway.  The FP7 A was essentially EMD's F7A locomotive extended by four feet of length to give greater water capacity (820 Gal more) for the steam generator for heating passenger trains.  

The CGW 116-A was one of seventy-four EMD F-unit locomotives purchased by the CGW.   CGW train crews called this particular diesel locomotive model in groups as "Motors" and "Regulars."   They truly were the "Regular" backbone of the CGW diesel fleet during the diesel era.

A total of 378 cab-equipped lead FP7 A units were built before EMD ended production in December 1953.

This F-unit (cab unit) locomotive, affectionately called a "covered wagon" was purchased to power Chicago Great Western's passenger and freight trains.  The 116-A was then placed permanently into freight service after passenger service ended in 1962.

What makes the 116-A unique is that it was the first member of the largest F-unit consecutive numbered series (116-A, 116-B, 116-C, 116-D, 116-E, 116-F, 116-G) of  7 units ever produced by EMD.  116-A and 116-C were cab units while 116-B, 116-D, 116-E, 116-F, 116-G were "booster" units that contained no train controls.

CGW OPERATION

This cab unit, typically was joined by two to four cab-less "B" units, and a second cab unit at the opposite end  hauled many trains between Minneapolis, Chicago, Council Bluffs and Kansas City from January 1951 until July 31, 1968.  After the merger, 116-A was found to be in good condition greatly extending it's life. The CGW certainly kept up with repair and maintenance tasks with its locomotives at "Oelwein Shops".

CNW OPERATION

CGW 116-A served the Chicago Great Western until July 31, 1968, when the CGW merged with the Chicago & North Western Railroad (CNW). In late 1971, CNW renumbered this unit to CNW 217, and around that time repainted the locomotive into yellow and green.

Most of 116-A's life was spent in and out of Oelwein.  After the merger, the 116-A was used on its Iowa Division Route from Oelwein to the Twin Cities, or Oelwein to Marshalltown.  The last time the FP7 was in active freight service appears to be early 1986 for the winter grain rush, 35 years after being built.  After this time, the unit spent several years stored in Oelwein, then Proviso,Ilinois, Des Moines, Iowa,  and finally back to Oelwein from April 1990 to present.

MUSEUM ACQUISITION

For many years, the Hub City Heritage Corporation attempted to acquire several former CGW F-unit locomotives, and many prior to the 116-A were sent off to the scrap yard.  In early 1993, the 116-A was donated to us by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.  Under the direction of CNW management, the locomotive was donated and then shortly after, taken inside the Oelwein Shops where traction motors, key electrical hardware, and other parts were removed.  Unfortunately other parts were also missing due to  theft and vandalism.

CNW 217 exCGW 116-A in CNW Yellow & Green paint colors.
Photo Dustin D. Smith Feb. 1994. 

RESTORATION

In the winter of 1994/1995, the 116-A was cosmetically restored by TRANSCO Railway Products, Inc. Many hours were spent sandblasting, replacing body panels and re-applying bondo body putty (especially on the nose), masking, painting, and lettering. Many hours were also spent internally, removing sludge, power washing and cleaning the interior for repainting.  TRANSCO employees who worked on the project were:  Steve Masters,  John Woodson, Jack Dempsey, Ed Richards, Bill Necker, Kevin Gibson, Mike Schulmeister, Jack Nehl, Jerry Wheatley and Elmer Schneckel.  Paint was donated by WIlliams-Hayward Protective Coatings, Inc., of Summit, Illinois, and Ron Torrey.  With the work completed, a dedication ceremony was held on May 29, 1995.  Restoration of 116-A was dedicated in memory of Delbert E. "Deb" Masters, Central Division Manager of TRANSCO for 37 years until his passing.

CGW 116-A in EMD Factory paint colors.  Photo taken by Dustin D. Smith June 1996. 

RECOGNITION

CGW 116-A is the sole cab unit survivor of freight/passenger diesel type locomotives of the Chicago Great Western Railway.

PHOTO SUBMISSIONS

If you have an image that you would like to post to this site, please email the picture as a digital image to CGWO Pictures, include information such as date, location, history and photographer.  The photo will be screened, titled and added to the archive.