06-18-2013, 12:18 PM
Reinhard
The cab you are putting on your GP7u is called the "Topeka Cab" While the CF7 & Topeka cabs are similar, the CF7 angle cabs were a product of the Cleburne TX shops. Here's some info from <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.qstation.org">http://www.qstation.org</a><!-- m -->
Cabs: Round vs. Angle
Since the original reason for the Santa Fe to embark on the CF7 rebuilding program was to save money, the original batches of CF7s were released from the Cleburne Shops with the rounded roof cabs, as it was thought by preserving the contour left over from the F unit roof, money could indeed be saved.
However, as the program progressed, it was found the round roof would not save money for the ATSF because the doors associated with this rounded-roof cab had to be custom fitted. CF7 #2638 was the first locomotive to refitted with the angled cab and fitted with standardized doors, and thus saving Santa Fe 50% of the cost of custom-fitted doors found on the original units.
There always has been talk that the angled cab is known as a "Topeka Cab", and this was because the Topeka Shops "rubber-stamped" the changes made throughout the CF7 program, however all of the angled-cabs were indeed fabricated by the Cleburne Shops, and the Topeka Shops had no input with regards to the origination, or fabrication, of the angled cab.
The new, large cab allowed a Santa Fe crew of three, comprised of the engineer, fireman, and head brakeman, room to complete their work. The Cleburne Shops also brought new innovation in the form of adding side mirrors to both sides of the cab so both sides of a train could be monitored.
The new angled cab also allowed Cleburne Shop forces to provide Santa Fe crews with better sound insulation, as they added a lead plate, and foam insulation installed in the roof of the cab to suppress noise and vibration for train crews. It is interesting to note that the Cleburne Shops had measurements taken from the La Junta, CO roundhouse, which contained the smallest height doors on the ATSF system, to insure the CF7 could be used everywhere.
The cab you are putting on your GP7u is called the "Topeka Cab" While the CF7 & Topeka cabs are similar, the CF7 angle cabs were a product of the Cleburne TX shops. Here's some info from <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.qstation.org">http://www.qstation.org</a><!-- m -->
Cabs: Round vs. Angle
Since the original reason for the Santa Fe to embark on the CF7 rebuilding program was to save money, the original batches of CF7s were released from the Cleburne Shops with the rounded roof cabs, as it was thought by preserving the contour left over from the F unit roof, money could indeed be saved.
However, as the program progressed, it was found the round roof would not save money for the ATSF because the doors associated with this rounded-roof cab had to be custom fitted. CF7 #2638 was the first locomotive to refitted with the angled cab and fitted with standardized doors, and thus saving Santa Fe 50% of the cost of custom-fitted doors found on the original units.
There always has been talk that the angled cab is known as a "Topeka Cab", and this was because the Topeka Shops "rubber-stamped" the changes made throughout the CF7 program, however all of the angled-cabs were indeed fabricated by the Cleburne Shops, and the Topeka Shops had no input with regards to the origination, or fabrication, of the angled cab.
The new, large cab allowed a Santa Fe crew of three, comprised of the engineer, fireman, and head brakeman, room to complete their work. The Cleburne Shops also brought new innovation in the form of adding side mirrors to both sides of the cab so both sides of a train could be monitored.
The new angled cab also allowed Cleburne Shop forces to provide Santa Fe crews with better sound insulation, as they added a lead plate, and foam insulation installed in the roof of the cab to suppress noise and vibration for train crews. It is interesting to note that the Cleburne Shops had measurements taken from the La Junta, CO roundhouse, which contained the smallest height doors on the ATSF system, to insure the CF7 could be used everywhere.
Andy Jackson
Santa Fe Springs CA
ATSF/LAJ Ry Fan & Modeler
Santa Fe Springs CA
ATSF/LAJ Ry Fan & Modeler