Nostalgia & History > When UP DD35s Roamed Cajon (and Colton)

During the late 70s and early 80s, DD35 A and B units were not an uncommon site on UP's South Central District.  I recall seeing them most often on mixed freights, as the newer DDA40X 6900 class seemed to be assigned to higher priority symbols such as the VAN and the SUPRV.
 
The first DD35 units acquired by UP were B units, built in 1963-1964.  A total of 27 DD35 B units were on the roster, numbered 72B-98B.  In 1965, an order for 15 cab units numbered 70-84 was delivered.  By the time I started photographing them in the late 1970’s, they were clearly beginning to show their age.  All units were removed from service before or during the early 1980s and scrapped by the end of the decade.  None remain in existence.
 
I don’t have a whole lot of shots of these unusual units, but their unique  appearance combined with the small number constructed make for an interesting subject.
 
Thanks for looking back,
GK

1.  Five(!) DD35s:  75, 81B, 70, 85B, and 84 are eastbound, June 1977.

2.  A consist that would be possible only on UP, Class unit #70 leads a GP30B, GP35, SD24B, and GP30 eastbound at Devore, November 1975.  Today, this location is approximately where the Glen Helen Parkway overpass is situated, and this photo angle has been obliterated.

3.  74, 93B, and 79B eastbound at Colton, April 1979.  Located compass south (RR west) of Cajon Pass, Colton Tower was once a popular spot for railfans.  The tower’s demise in 1979, combined with the later appearance of an overly aggressive SP PO, a general decline in tolerance of fans being on RR property, and, ultimately, the construction of UP’s flyover above the BNSF have eliminated nearly every photographic perspective here.

(Few more to follow.)

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4.  76, 93B, and an SDP35 at Ono December 1976.

5.  On Santa Fe rails, 76 clatters over the SP at Colton crossing.  The roof of Colton Tower can be seen in the background, May 1978.

6.  An A-B-A consist of 79, 76B, and 83 westbound near the UP station at Colton with the “Farmer John” symbol CLS (California Livestock), March 1977.

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7.  79 (again), 78B, and 81B eastbound at Blue Cut in high sun, July 1979.

8.  82, 95B, an SD24 and a GP20 eastbound at Devore March 1976.

9.  71 after the sun has set at Ono on a February 1976 evening, foreshadowing the eventual fate of each of the DD35s.

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GREAT set of photos- thanks for posting them !

Roger Durfee
Akron, OH

Excellent stuff, appreciate the posts, sure doesn't seem that long ago.

Out

This is a tremendous look back on a great era on the UP! I like the extra large power and the HOGX cars.
The first shot is also IMOD quality I believe, perfect composition!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/19 17:25 by Fortyfooter.

Awesome stuff Gary! Thanks for sharing

Thanks for the terrific slide show. Wow !

That’s the UP I choose to remember. Great stuff! I think I like the DD35’s better than the Centennials! I wished they would have saved one. Fantastic shots!

The thing that's always stood out for me with these 2 unit types is:  the DD-35A has flared radiators, but the "B" units do not.  I've always wondered why??

Fortyfooter Wrote:
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> This is a tremendous look back on a great era on the UP! I like the extra large power and the HOGX cars.
> The first shot is also IMOD quality I believe, perfect composition!

Thank you for the compliments!  These stock cars pre-date the (green) HOGX cars, and are UP cars.  ISTR the CLS was one of only 2 remaining stock car moves on US rails at the time, the other being on Conrail.  Here's a shot of some of the cars in the train as it went by.
GK
 
 

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Thanks for posting these, Gary.  Good memories from my younger years.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Great thread and pics. As I could perceive by comparison, the truck frames of Vale mining DDM45's (Brazil) are the same model of the old DD35's. The trucks of the DDA40X's are a bit different from the ones used by DDM45's.

Posted from Android

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Great series of photos. Congrats on IOTD!!

Kim Heusel

KimHeusel Wrote:
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> Great series of photos. Congrats on IOTD!!
>
> Kim Heusel

For those of us not part of the "knowledgable", what is IOTD?  Thx!

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
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> KimHeusel Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
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> > Great series of photos. Congrats on IOTD!!
> >
> > Kim Heusel
>
> For those of us not part of the "knowledgable",
> what is IOTD?  Thx!

Image of the Day shown on home page.  Funny tho, when I see it I always think of certain word.

Bob



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/19 06:38 by robj.

Awesome series and shots Gary! I remember seeing those as a kid, always liked them better than Centennials for some reason:}

That's a great bunch of memories.
JB

Just an amazing gallery of Union Pacific's Chief Mechanical Officer D.S.Neuharts' vision for his employer at that time. Lots of great stuff. The blue Rock boxcar 1st out behind the consist in image #8 at Devore is a timeless reality check. Congrats on the Image of the Day. Really good stuff.

Fantastic series Gary , many thanks for sharing.
Andy