Does anyone know what the Southern would have used for mine run power just after diesels took over in 1953? I think they would not have used F-7's as in the 60's, and I have seen a picture of F-3's on a run, or did they use RS-3's, so can anyone help?
From observation and what I've read Southerns' Alco units were more likely to be found on the eastern side of the System, not in coal country. Photographs from this area also seem to support the fact that GP-7's were likely to be found in coal country. When Southern bought the Interstate Railway in 1961 its' 10 RS-3's remained on the Interstate with INTs' color scheme and lettering, but by 1965 all ten had been moved to Atlanta and replaced with GP-7's. Again, I'm certain that a Southern fan from that section of their territory could provide much more detailed information.
It's hard to find information on the Southern since the county that I live in is the only place in KY that Southern had coal operations in.
I have information that says when Southern pulled the RS-3's that the Interstate guys got stuck with the F-Units. Page 23 of "Appalachin Coal Hauler", by Hugh and Ed Wolfe "With the loss of its RS-3's Interstate was forced to operate hand-me-down F units from Southern... not popular...until 1968 newer motive power began to arrive at Andover..." I figured to post on this thread as I love the F-Units and am looking for a good layout to incorporate them with and I had remembered this passage when I saw the above posts.
If you check out Appalachian railroad modeling on the web there is a lot of shots there of SOuthern F units working the mines.
I've also seen a lot of photos of Southern F-units on coal trains but as far as I can find out as much as possible F-units pulled coal cars mostly on fairly long runs. At the mines, road switchers predominated. I've talked to engineers for the Southern as well as a few other roads and found that all of them hated to do any switching with an F-unit. No real vision to the rear or immediately in front of the F, no real place for a trainman to hang onto. When Southern started acquiring hundreds of GP-30/35's in the 1960's a lot of very good F-units cascaded down into local and branch line service. I know that hostlers at several engine terminals got the word to please put F's in a trailing position wherever possible.
I have seen only one picture near heer with F's and it appears they were pulling loads from a mine across the border in Cumberland Gap, TN also they were in an A-A set.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=111950&nseq=4 Here's a link to an F in middlesboro 1966.The only one I could find so far.BTW,I was up there yesterday,nice town.
