Kato USA Model Train Products EMD F7A #304/#315 Santa Fe "Yellow Bonnet" N Scale Train
The F-Unit is probably the most recognized diesel locomotive in North American history. It was found on railroads from East to West and North to South. Similar in appearance to its predecessor, the EMD F3, the EMD F7 was a 1500 hp multi-purpose locomotive. Although originally promoted as a freight-hauling unit by EMD, the F7 was also used in passenger service hauling such trains such as the Santa Fe Super Chief and the Great Northern Empire Builder. In the early years of Amtrak service, when the Santa Fe was transitioning to a freight-only business, Amtrak was reliant on leased motive power for pulling its trains. The Santa Fe, wanting to differentiate their equipment that was to be used on the new Amtrak trains, began repainting the F7's destined for Amtrak use in a new "Yellow bonnet" scheme. Few locomotives received this scheme, their service on Amtrak was brief and many of these Yellow bonnets were returned to the Santa Fe for freight use after 1973.