Alco FA-1 KGB&W #502 in Green Bay, nearing the end of her service on the railroad.

The Green Bay Route's five 1500 horsepower Alco FA-1 diesels arrived in 1947-49.  Besides introducing the classic red-and-gray paint scheme, they ushered in a new era of fast freight service across Wisconsin, replacing the Class D-47 Mikados on time freights.  

However, by the 1960s tonnage on trains had increased to the point where lash-ups of pairs of the FA-1s were no longer adequate.  One by one, the locomotives were traded in on 2400 horsepower second generation Alco RS-27 and C-424 models.

In later years some of the screened areas along the top of the unit were patched over with solid panels - compare this photo to a 1952 photo of #507 to see the differences.

When this photo was taken in April 1964 there were only two FA-1s left on the railroad: KGBW #502-503.  Both would be retired the following year.

A thanks goes out to Bob Schoneman for sharing this photo.