EMD CF7 Square Cab w/Stratolite - Standard DC -- Midwest Coal Hauling #2494 (yellow, blue)

In the late 1960s, the Santa Fe F-unit fleet was nearing the end of its lifespan. At the same time, Santa Fe was looking to fulfill a need for nearly 200 plus locomotives for use on secondary and branch lines. Santa Fe got creative in their thinking, remove the truss car body down to the engine deck and replace the truss members with large, deep side sills while fabricating stairs and GP7-like hoods suitable for switching, similar to other GP7-style locomotives currently in use. In late 1969, the first CF7 was rebuilt at the Santa Fe Cleburne Shops, with 232 more through 1978. This would be one of the most successful locomotive rebuild programs of all-time.