by Diesel Era Staff/photos from Kevin EuDaly Collection
Santa Fe’s mid-1960s effort to replace aging F3s powering its passenger trains resulted in several interesting roster additions. General Electric’s U28CG came first with 10 (350–359) coming in early 1966 (regular hood appearance comparable to other U-boats). A bit more than a year later (November 1967) the striking set of six U30CGs (400–405) joined the roster with EMD’s FP45 added before 1967 ended. This trio of steam generator-equipped six-axle power relieved some of Santa Fe’s motive needs for its passenger trains; however, the reduction of services and arrival of Amtrak in 1971 put these units into the freight pool in a relatively short amount of years. The U30CGs received renumbering and several freight livery repaints before retirement and trade-in to GE around 1980.
ABOVE: Santa Fe 402 at Chicago in early 1968, and two years into its original assignment hauling passenger trains. The original design omitted the front walkway. —Jim Boyd photo, Kevin EuDaly collection
ABOVE: Santa Fe 8003 at Argentine, Kan., in 1975 shows off Yellowbonnet livery. This unit’s nose treatment was blue outlines, while others received solid blue heralds. — photographer unknown, Kevin EuDaly collection