While running a grain haul for a local company I get to access ADM off Prairie Ave in N St. Louis. ADM has this old engine for yard work and I have been trying to ID it. Appears to be a hodgepodge of numerous makes rebuilt as a local switcher. Can be looked at on Google Earth at this address: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.680...WEWqr3uBsHJF3RfKZsrA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
The frame is what threw me off, almost appears to be constructed on an old flatbed frame, is that right? Actually a Modified F series to reflect the newer cab and long hood styles?
The F-unit that EMD produced, had no frame, so to speak, so alot of it's strength came from bracing in the side walls of the units. When you put a regular hood on these, they had to build a frame to support the prime mover and all mechanicals. That's why it looks like it has a "flatbed truck trailer" style frame.
Most definitely an old CF-7. I used to see it there several times a week workin' the BNSF. It's used by ADM. BNSF delivers and picks up there during grain season. The line is on the Hannibal sub. The Mississippi River is behind the concrete wall behind the green truck.
Yard man said it has not run in a long time, sits on a dead end siding against a derailer block. They have an antique SW8 or 9 that has been genset converted(obvious intake snorkel and small muffler exhaust on hood). At least is better than the SW7 sitting at Consolidated Grain and Barge, they use it everyday missing really hard, smokes like a oil barrel fire and almost manages 10 cars at a time, really works for its living. Really eerie on that wall, as in a semi you can see over it when the river is up is just the other side of it!
Got photos of all three units I see regularly, the two at ADM N STL and one antique still plugging away while slowly dying at Cons. Grain and Barge. The SW7 at ADM is a GenSet repower if anyone is into modeling, that giveaway was the air intake snorkel and new Muffler as well the narrowed radiator screens.. The old CF7 is as homely as they get.
ADM is fixing the CF7. Pretty obvious what had failed. They are readying for a rush of rail cars in the near future.
