The old F's had been purchased from 1948 to 1953 and were rated at 1500 horsepower. They were rebuilt to be similar to the EMD GP-7/9's built in the late 40s and 50s.
The first CF-7 were converted for about $60,000, about one-third the cost of a new locomotive at that time. As the project got under way, the rebuild cost dropped to about $40,000.
Most of these locomotives are still operating 20 to 25 years after their rebuild. It is a tribute to the Cleburne personnel.
This is a well illustrated book with wiring diagrams and pictures. Many of them are in color.
The Missouri Pacific some times would use these units on the old Fort Worth - Dallas Turnaround Local to run off mileage. They weren't as pretty as our GP-7s and 9s, but they were a pleasure to work with. Of course, what our crews liked about them most of all was, they were air conditioned.
An interesting note is that the first six conversions used an automotive air conditioners built in Dallas. It's compressor was driven from the locomotive's air compressor shaft.
The author also gives a short history of the Cleburne Shops.
Reviewed by Cy Martin.
10-97