<kuid:602570:3978> CNW E-4 4-6-4 #4004

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This content is updated and rerelease with the kind permission of Rob Shaw. Rob Shaw's eula apply's.

Milwaukee Road F7 4-6-4 'Hiawatha'

The First of the Speedliners...

The Chicago, MIlwaukee, St.Paul & Pacific Railroad introduced a high speed passenger service to race the 410 miles between Chicago, St.Paul and Minneapolis. Styled by Otto Kuhler, and taking inspiration from the Longfellow classic, the legendary 'Hiawatha' service began on the 29th of May, 1935.

Drawing on advanced principles of design, early services were hauled by some of the largest Atlantics ever built. These pioneer streamliners featured stylish aerodynamic shrouds and bright paint, and carved a great reputation for the Milwaukee's signature service. Matching cars were of welded steel construction and decorated in a distinctive Native American theme.

Concerned about losing the characteristics of the steam locomotive beneath the locomotive streamlining, Kuhler argued the case for a traditional steam whistle, though in later years this was replaced with a modern airhorn.

Enthusiastic to maintain the steadily growing popularity of the Hiawathas; despite direct competition for the fastest service between Chicago and Minneapolis from the Chicago and North Western Railroad, various improvements were made to the equipment. The 1939 Hiawatha boasted air-conditioning among other improvements to passenger comfort, and the roller bearing fitted cars were hauled by new locomotives of the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement.

The F7 type locomotives were built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCo) and proved an immediate success. Constructed with a massive 96.5 suare ft grate area; 84 in. drivers and a 300 psi boiler, the new F7s could run at over 100mph with loads well in excess of the nine car limit of the Atlantics.

In their first year of operation, these locomotives earned the Railroad roughly $750,000 net after interest and depreciation; and after 16 months had hauled 350,000 passengers over the Milwaukee Road's tracks.

As diesel power assumed importance, the F7s ended their days at the head of less prestigious services such as freight and local passenger trains. During the 1950's the entire Class fell to the cutter's torch, but the legend of these magnificent machines lives on.


Boiler Pressure 300 psi
Builder American Locomotive Company (ALCo)
Driving Wheel Diameter 7'
Coal Capacity 22.5 tons
Cylinders 2 (external) 23.5 x 30
Grate Area 96.5 ft²
Introduced 1938
Road Numbers 100-105
Tractive Effort 50,295 lbs
Water Capacity 16,700 gallons
Weight Roadworthy 215,000 lbs
Wheel arrangement 4-6-4 Baltic (Hudson)