It was 75 years ago this month the EMD began building F units again. The last FTs were built in November 1945. Then a United Auto Workers strike shut down EMD until March 13, 1946, but no additional units were built until April presumably because of a steel strike and lack of parts. The Engineering department would have had plenty of time to test the D8B generator in the 291 test set. Tonnage ratings would have been established for the new F2s and instructions on operating with FTs would have been written. Operator Manuals for the F2 were published on June 1, 1946 in advance of the July production of 43 F2A units. Of the 43 new F2As, a total of 39 were built to work with FTs, another two were low geared units for use on a light rail short line and two were passenger units.
Ed in Kentucky
COTTON BELT: RUNS LIKE A BLUE STREAK