Nostalgia & History > SD&AE at The Border - 1981

SD&AE "GP-9" #103 switches cars at the yard just north of the US-Mexico border in San Yisidro, CA in the Summer of 1981. This Geep and 3 others were rebuilt and refurbished by MK for use on Kyle Railway's San Diego and Arizona Eastern operation. 103 had started life as a UP GP-20 and, while the other three were GP-9's to start with, thus 103 had a more distinctive look.

Kyles involvement with the SD&AE was pretty short lived and the operation died a couple years after this shot was taken when fires destroyed bridges in the gorge. Who could have imagined that some 20 years later, trains would again roll "east" on the SD&AE?

Does anyone know where 103 and the others are now days?

Brian E

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Did these units go to the Kyle operation in Kansas after that? It seems I remember seeing these units pass through Liberal, Ks way back then.

Did you follow it to Tijuana?

I believe the 104 was destroyed in a wreck, one of the units was recently sold or leased out by Western Equipment out of Spokane. I will try to look up the notes I have where they might be.