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Fall 1995 Issue Hightlights
FP7 2500, the DSS&A and the Penokee Gap
The restoration of a classic passenger locomotive and its second maiden run at the 1995 SLHTS convention
by John Proebsting
The 1995 Soo Line Historical and Technical Society convention included a very special feature. On September 16 and 17, two excursion trips were run on the Wisconsin Central through the beautiful Chequamagon National Forest and Bad River Indian Reservation of northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Although both trips went through spectacular scenery, it was what pulled them that stole the show. This was the Soo Line Number 2500A, a beautifully restored FP7 locomotive originally purchased 46 years ago by the original Wisconsin Central for service between Chicago and Superior on the Laker. The restoration, complete in every detail from a faithful recreation of the classic maroon and gold livery down to its fully operational oscillating Mars light, was truly a work of art.
The 2500A was built in November, 1949 as EMD demonstrator No. 7001. Beginning in April, 1950, demonstration trips with the 7001 started showing up on train sheets of the [Soo Line's] Minneapolis-Duluth Division. The 2500A was one of only four 1500 hp FP7 cab units (2500A- 2503A) purchased for passenger service by the Wisconsin Central. Each was originally ordered with an F7 booster unit, for a total "locomotive" horsepower of 3000 for each of the four two-unit sets. Four more FP7A units (500A - 503A) were purchased by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault St. Marie. When delivered in 1949 through 1951, the FP7 "A" units were equipped with steam generators for heating their trains.
The cabless F7 booster units each carried the same number as their mate, followed by the letter "B". This "B" on the booster units was changed to "C" in 1959, as the original pairs of units were broken up and started being used in freight service. Each of the eight 3000 hp locomotives were delivered in the Soo's classic maroon and gold livery. Except for a few minor internal differences and the small gold "WC" on the rear side panels of the Wisconsin Central units, the FP7 units of both the old Soo and Wisconsin Central were almost identical.
As passenger service declined on the Soo as on many other railroads, the FP7s were reassigned to hauling freight. After the Soo's merger of 1961, these units were repainted red and white, retaining their previous numbers. The 2500A, along with several other FP7s, wound up their careers on the Soo in snow plow service. In 1986 the 2500A was officially retired from the Soo Line roster and donated to the Lake Superior Museum of Transportation.
Pullman-Standard PS2CD 4427-cu. ft. capacity covered hoppers
by Chuck Derus and Guy N. Kieckhefer
The Soo Line's Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, shops built hundreds of modern 50-foot boxcars during the 1960s and 1970s. These insulated "bunkerless refrigerators" were the top of the line. Includes colored HO scale renderings.
Questions about
the content of the SOO? Contact:
Reid Van Sluys, Editor
W61 N327 Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012-2404
or E-mail.
Questions about reselling the SOO in your store? Contact:
Joe Lallensack, Commercial Accounts Manager
3818 Mangin St.
Manitowoc, WI 54220
or E-mail.
Questions about
Back Issues of the SOO? Contact:
Roger Wurtzel, Back Issues Manager
910 Chandler Avenue
Plover, WI 54467
or E-mail.
