The EMD F-45 was a cowl body unit. It was an SD-45, another unit I loved running, with a
a full car-body covering. It was first designed for the Great Northern, so if you had to walk back, with a unit down, you were protected from the elements. After the BN merger, the BN ordered more. The Santa Fe, who I have prior rights running as an engineer, also ordered the F-45’s as well. Santa Fe had FP-45’s, which were the F-45 with a Steam Generator, and geared for passenger service. When AMTRAK came into play, they were sent to the shops, for a traction motor, wheel change out, and geared for freight. I ran those as well.
I ran out of Denver,CO with the Santa Fe. On the Joint-Line, now the Pikes Peak subdivision, and operated BN and C&S freights. WHY?, the BN had trackage rights, but not crew rights, so we operated both.
But if you think, how did they work on these with a car-body?
On both sides, there were “Doors” that folded outward and exposed the diesel, main generator, and the air compressor. It was on both sides, so shopped at a maintenance facility, access, was made easier.
As a fireman, and as an Engineer, I had to walk through, the at full 8 throttle. An EMD 645 Diesel, rotates, at 1050 rpm, wide open. The enclosure, the sound vibrates, and you feel
the unit in your body, and it is loud.
Pueblo, CO:
C&S Train 151, majority COORS BEER empties on the return, along with re-positioned power. Your gonna walk the dog this this one. An F-45 as the lead, YES!
You get called for a drag, on the BN/C&S or Santa Fe out of the yard, an F-45 , its fine, but you’re making pick up and set-outs, well open up the cab window, and watch for signals. It wasn’t that bad.
Denver, CO BN 23rd St Roundhouse:
We had designated helper sets. At one time we had 3 units for the helper consist. There were usually 4 helper sets. They didn’t sit around, they worked 24/7. You’d get an F-45 in the consist. Helpers were what they were. You knew the regular sets, but an odd duck consist would show, due to failure or FRA inspection.
I’m retired, and the F-45’s and SD-45’s are off the Roster and scrapped. Some remain as static displays or in a operating railroad Museum. I loved running them, when I was able to.
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