Nostalgia & History > A Santa Fe B23-7 in Cajon Pass

Awhile back someone was asking if the Santa Fe U23B's or the B23-7's ever made it to California. Actually quite a few would make it west to Barstow but they often were pulled off trains and returned east. Here's a B23-7, that went west out of Barstow, on the point. This westbound is coming down the steep south track between Summit and Cajon in March of 1990.

I think "oyw" and others have some slides of "baby boats" in Cajon Pass too (hint, hint Bob).


Allen

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Of all the GE's, I loved those B-23's. Used them a lot back in the 80's & 90's on the locals out of Emporia, and they showed up quite a bit on through frt stuff out of KC too. Gutsy pullers, & quick loading units. Loved the sound. The ride......not so good.

I remember photographing a Santa Fe B23-7 in switching service at Saco, Ca. (north of Bakersfield).

bradleymckay Wrote:

> Awhile back someone was asking if the Santa Fe
> U23B's or the B23-7's ever made it to California.

That was probably me, wondering if Santa Fe's U23B's (road numbers 6300-6348) ever made it to California:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,3137989

I've seen Santa Fe B23-7's (6350-6418) in California with my own eyes, but the U23B's seemed to stick to the territory east of the Rockies most of their lives. I only caught one west of Belen once, and I had never seen a photo of one as far west as California. Several folks answered my query with photos showing that the units did visit the Golden State, but interestingly enough, all were taken in the summer of 1988 just before the last U23B's were retired. Whether any made it to California before that last fling is still an open question.

U18B's were "baby boats" not the 23's.

Uncle Joe,Seffner,Fl.

The B23-7's were quite common as local power out of Kaiser Yard in Fontana, CA in the early to mid-90's. Here's a past thread of mine featuring several of them:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1670461

PasadenaSub Wrote:
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> The B23-7's were quite common as local power out
> of Kaiser Yard in Fontana, CA in the early to
> mid-90's. Here's a past thread of mine featuring
> several of them:
>
> http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,
> 1670461

Thanks Rich. I hardly ever went by Kaiser Yard. It figures some were hiding there...


Allen

Tony, I'm curious as to why a Santa Fe engine would be on SP tracks switching at Saco, which is the first controlled siding north of Bakersfield? Any idea?

JDE