Class F7 4-6-4 Hiawatha

I have always loved the look of the streamlined, art deco locomotives of the 30's - none more so than the Milwaukee Road Class F7 4-6-2 Hiawatha.

These locomotives not only showed the look of modernism but still held on to details from the past. These colorful locomotives gave the illusion of flying over the rails, even when standing still.

Many other locomotives, such as the J3as, the Northerns and of course the Zephyrs and indeed the E and F-Classes of diesels, used streamlining to reflect speed (of service), but none captures the rare beauty and elegance of the Hiawathas.