model:

builder:

built:

builder number:

prime mover:

horsepower:

operating weight:

length:

max. speed:

F7A

Electro-Motive Corporation

February 1950

8979

EMC 567 - 12 cylinder

1500 hp

237,750 lbs.

50 ft. 8 in.

65 MPH

In 1939, the Electro-Motive Corporation completed a revolutionary railroad locomotive powered by a diesel prime mover and using an electric transmission. While this combination had been used for years in some switching and passenger locomotives, EMC was determined that their new locomotive, the FT, would replace steam locomotives in freight service.  Western Pacific was an eager early buyer of this model and later its improved successors.  F3 and later FP7 models were acquired for the California Zephyr, while the F7 model helped retire many of the railroad's steam engines.

WP 921-D was the last unit delivered in WP's first order for the F7 model. These carbody type locomotives served until newer models with higher horsepower and better visibility rendered them obsolete.  The WP, however, was slow to retire them, the railroad always being too short of money to completely replace those older locomotives which could still earn a profit.  By 1977, when most railroads had long since replaced their full carbody style engines, the WP still rostered four active units.  That year, two of the survivors, including the 921-D, were sent to Morrison-Knudsen in Boise, ID for rebuilding, while one of the others was rebuilt by WP in Stockton.  One of the rebuilt engines was repainted into a new version of the classic orange and silver Zephyr paint, while the other three, including 921-D, were given WP's then standard green and orange colors.  For the next three years, the newly christened "Fab 4" continued to earn their keep while generating great publicity for the WP.  After the Union Pacific merger, the 921-D was retired and donated to the FRRS.