   |
 FT 100L was at San Diego on February 14, 1941 when R. P. Middlebrook made this photo. This is one of the best black and white photographs which clearly illustrate the factory paint scheme of the FTA-units. Note the red separating stripes, the bronze Santa Fe nose badge and the black roof and pilot. The yellow paint was a creamier shade that used on the later passenger and freight units. "Santa Fe" lettering on the side was a gold bronze color. -Stan Kistler Collection |
|
Since the last locomotive built with new cab units was 179LABC, higher numbered FT's from 180 through 199C and 400 through 430B were all renumbered from lower numbered units. The primary reason for renumbering many of the FT's again after all the trouble it had been to get most of them into A-B-B-A sets was because the railroad desired to move many of them to other parts of the system after the completion of their World War II duties. War demands had kept most of them on the western end of the system for the most part and the new assignments often did not require full four-unit locomotives. So, the 100 class was again largely renumbered for reassignments. Most of the renumbered FTA's were from units 105C through 179C although not all of these "C" units were renumbered. Most of the locomotive sets numbered 180 through 199 that were created by this renumbering were of A-B-B configuration, but some were A-B-A. This was probably influenced by where the locomotives were to be assigned. |
 The second cab unit for the first cross-country trip of the 100 did not have any numbers in the number boards. Shown here at Topeka in January 1941 (left to right), she will become the first 101L and here booster, 101A. Behind them are the 100A and the 100L cab unit on the point (with flags). In March 1941, cab unit was numbered 100C and in September 1941 renumbered to 102L. |
|
|
