About the U.S. Air Force 7467 Locomotive
The U.S. Air Force 7467 is a robust locomotive constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, back in 1943. It boasts a powerful six-cylinder De La Vergne prime mover, delivering an impressive 1,000 horsepower. Known as a VO-1000, this locomotive last served the United States Air Force at the Arnold Air Research Facility in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
It was eventually deemed surplus when a newer model from another Air Force rail operation replaced it. In 1982, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) acquired it. The locomotive had a brief operational stint at TVRM, but complications with its aging Westinghouse main generator led to its retirement from active service.
Today, the locomotive proudly sports the colors of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway (NC&St.L), bearing the number “36”. The NC&St.L had a series of similar locomotives, with the highest numbered as 35. When it came time for a repaint, it made sense to designate this locomotive as number 36, continuing the sequence as if the NC had procured an additional unit.
Specifications:
Locomotive: U.S. Air Force 7467
Locomotive Type: Diesel-Electric
Operators: U.S. Air Force, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Model: VO-1000
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Date Built: 1943
Locomotive Weight: 240,000 lb
Prime Mover: De La Vergne 8-VO
Fuel: Diesel
Horsepower: 1,000 hp
Status: Stored Out of Service