Western Railroad Discussion > Question about SD38-2 hump switchers at West Colton

I've been a fan of these for over 40 years, from when they first arrived to work with the Alco Century slugs.  The last couple of years, I've noticed for the first time, that they don't all seem to be there anymore (ex-SP 2971 through 2976, now UPY 830 through 835).  I just drove through the entire yard from one end to the other, and all I saw was UPY 830, 831, and 833.  Have the other three finally been assigned elsewhere?  Equipment trace, anyone?

Also, the former McCloud River Railroad SD38-2 #39, which became UPY824, was working as trim power at West Colton for quite a while around 10 years ago - what ever happened to that one?

Thanks,
Mark

I believe at least one or two of the "missing" are now at the big yard in Houston, TX.  Can't confirm that however.

SP 2971 --> UP 2830 --> UPY 830
SP 2972 --> UPY 831
SP 2973 --> UP 2832 --> UPY 832
SP 2974 --> UPY 833
​SP 2975 --> UPY 834
​SP 2976 --> UPY 835

​MR 39 --> UP 2824 --> UPY 824

​UPY 830 to UPY 833 are all still working in West Colton. UPY 834 is working in Houston. UPY 824 & UPY 835 are at Metro East Industries in East St Louis, IL to become UP yard slugs (model PS6B). They will each then be mated with a SD40N as a mother-slug set. Prior to going to MEI, UPY 824 and UPY 835 had been working in Houston.

Great information - thanks.  Slugs?... That's depressing!  Do you know if their external appearance will be changed?  Any idea if the ones remaining at WC will stay or go?

Mark
 

mwbridgwater Wrote:
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> Great information - thanks.  Slugs?... That's depressing!  Do you know if their external appearance will be changed?  Any idea if the ones remaining at WC will stay or go?

​They are being heavily modified. From the frame down they still look like the SD38-2 (or SD40-2) that they started life as. Above the frame, well everything is being replaced. See the link below for a picture of UPY 3012. It is was originally built as C&NW SD38-2 6655, and later became UP 2811, then UPY 811, before being rebuilt to a yard slug. It does seem they are going to do quite a few of these. Not sure if the entire SD38-2 fleet is going this route, but 5 have already been done, and another 11 are currently being done at MEI.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4365613

Thanks again.  I looked for photos after your first response but didn't find any - good one there.

Mark