In the early 80s, NJ Transit acquired a group of HEP equipped F7s from the Chicago & North Western. NJT put them to work on the Hoboken Division hauling shorter consists in support of GE U34CHs which still held down the majority of the division’s assignments at the time. Upon their retirement, NJT donated several of the F7s to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey.
In keeping with the desire of URHS to honor New Jersey’s colorful railroad history, it had been previously decided by the organization that equipment in its collection should have some connection to the state, either as having been built or operated in New Jersey. Additionally, in the event a piece of equipment in the collection was not authentic to a particular road which operated in the state, that car or locomotive could still be painted in a scheme as a recreation provided that road owned examples of the same type of equipment in question. To that end, following conclusion of a lease to Metro-North, URHS arranged for the repainting of the two F7s in Lehigh Valley livery by Metro-North as payment for the lease. Then, just recently, a third F7, the former CNW/NJT 424 – the locomotives kept their CNW numbers with NJT, was repainted in Reading colors by URHS volunteers. Both Lehigh Valley and Reading operated F7s in New Jersey; however, authentic LV and RDG F7s were not available so the decision was made to “recreate” them. This approach is an interesting twist on preservation and, based upon the following pictures, it’s well worth the effort and gives us chance to enjoy equipment which would otherwise not be possible.
Here are “before” and “after” views of the unit following body work and application of paint:
Bob
