Nostalgia & History > Sometimes everything works: Southwestern Portland Cement FM's

In 1971, while on a trip to mainly photograph short line and industrial RR's, SWPC at Victorville, CA was high on my list due to their roster of FM's. First thing that needed to go right was the weather, which was zero problem. The next hurdle would be access. As I approached the sprawling operation I was also thinking that if I got access would I find any of the 3 FM's in a place where I could get decent pictures ... were there obstructions or nose coupled, hauling trains, switching etc.?

Getting access turned out to be quite easy (remember this was 1971) and when I asked about the locos the answer I got was encouraging, they were all 'parked' and in close proximity to each other. Of course they also had to be 'shootable'. I was given directions and drove into the plant area without an escort, and the complex of buildings and pipes, and in some cases close quarters, didn't bode well. Then when got to where the locos were supposed to be, they were actually there ..... these 3 shots were the results. After all of the things that could have possibly stymied my goal .... I was more than pleased with the results.

All 3 are FM H20-44 models. Others may have additional info on the history of the locomotives.

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Great catches ! Is the first one #410 ? If so, it's former Akron, Canton and Youngstown 505. I believe SWPC got it in March 1971 which would account for it's fresh but not 100% done paint job when you were there. The horn location lends creedence to it being former ACY as well. It survives (very loose term) in Texas...

Roger Durfee
Akron, OH

Could be, but I don't know ... perhaps someone else will .....

An "A+" set of photos. My favorite is the ex-AC&Y unit as I live about fifteen miles from Akron.
Bob

Nice. Last one reminds me of the 20 mule Borax teams from years past.

IIRC, 408 and 409 were ex-UP loco's. 410 was ex-AC&Y. 

KC

GRNDMND Wrote:
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> IIRC, 408 and 409 were ex-UP loco's. 410 was
> ex-AC&Y. 
>
> KC

KC: was one of them an x-demo?

#408 is in Campo, CA. I believe it is still operable. Now part of the Pacific Southwest RR. Museum collection.

409 was formerly UP 1366 and before that it was FM demonstrator 2000. It is now at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL.

kevink Wrote:
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> 409 was formerly UP 1366 and before that it was FM
> demonstrator 2000. It is now at the Illinois
> Railway Museum in Union, IL.

Thanks for info ....

Very odd M5 horn mounting in the first shot.

Thanks for posting.

Regards, Jim Evans