Nostalgia & History > SP mix

Here are some misc SP pics from Southern California.
First one of the BN6800 leading the 9900, 3115 and the 9950 towards the Balloon Track leaving West Colton Yard on 11-7-76.
Second of the 8480 rounding Sullivan's Curve in Cajon Pass in January 1975.
Next one of the "picture car" at West Colton on 1-29-78.

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Next up the SP7326 south and helpers rounding Walong in August of 1982.
Sixth photo of U50 9951 at City of Industry yard on 2-6-77.

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SD7 1436 with several other SD7s at COI on 11-2-75.
Last two taken at Taylor Yard in LA on 12-26-76. Cotton Belt GP20 4043 and U28B 7026. I seem to remember at least some of the Cotton Belt units having yellow grabirons.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/21 17:49 by GreenFlag.

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The pic of 9951 is absolutly bad ass

 

In the first photo, if the 3115 has not been 'isolated', it will be by the time the train has reached Sierra Ave,
otherwise it's gonna' be a slow trip to L.A.

By the time of your photo all SP Alco 6-axle 2400, 2800 and 3000 hp engines had a 25 mph restriction if used 'on-line'.
If 'isolated', 'dead-in consist' or 'dead-in-train' they could fly at 70 mph. 

Nice series of photos.

Charlie

Fantastic series of a look back.  That first shot shows some classic SP power, with Slover Mt as a bonus.  Thanks for sharing this series.

Kent in CArmel Valley

Cotton Belt GP20's we're last units to be delivered with yellow handrails.  
They were later painted white like the SP diesels.

Nice mix!

Cheers,
Jim

Early to late 'Seventies was pretty diverse in the LA basin.

Interesting selection.  Thanks!

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Hi Charlie

One of those 6 axle Alco's, restricted to 25mph, actually made it to San Luis Obispo in 1978 on a westbound. The crew included a fireman that trip and he had to babysit that thing most of the way, taking it off line then putting it back on line on the hard pulls that kept the speed below 25. They pulled the unit off at SLO and it was taken back, dead in consist, to LA on the "Smokey".

Allen




cewherry Wrote:
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> In the first photo, if the 3115 has not been
> 'isolated', it will be by the time the train has
> reached Sierra Ave,
> otherwise it's gonna' be a slow trip to L.A.
>
> By the time of your photo all SP Alco 6-axle 2400,
> 2800 and 3000 hp engines had a 25 mph restriction
> if used 'on-line'.
> If 'isolated', 'dead-in consist' or
> 'dead-in-train' they could fly at 70 mph. 
>
> Nice series of photos.
>
> Charlie

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/21 10:04 by bradleymckay.

bradleymckay Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> One of those 6 axle Alco's, restricted to 25mph,
> actually made it to San Luis Obispo in 1978 on a
> westbound. The crew included a fireman that trip
> and he had to babysit that thing most of the way,
> taking it off line then putting it back on line on
> the hard pulls that kept the speed below 25. They
> pulled the unit off at SLO and it was taken back,
> dead in consist, to LA on the "Smokey".

Thanks for your comments, Allen.

Never could figure out why they kept showing up on those LA-WC-LA consists. When I had one in my train, first order
of business was to isolate it before I forgot, otherwise I'd have to be answering a lot of questions from my RFE.
I probably shouldn't have complained, though, since their weight on drivers helped the paycheck---back when that counted.
My guess is SP just threw them out there as insurance---in case all else failed---you could put them online and putter along at 25.

Charlie

 

Very NICE series!

Larry

That consist in the first picture is insane!!

cewherry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bradleymckay Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > One of those 6 axle Alco's, restricted to
> 25mph,
> > actually made it to San Luis Obispo in 1978 on
> a
> > westbound. The crew included a fireman that
> trip
> > and he had to babysit that thing most of the
> way,
> > taking it off line then putting it back on line
> on
> > the hard pulls that kept the speed below 25.
> They
> > pulled the unit off at SLO and it was taken
> back,
> > dead in consist, to LA on the "Smokey".
>
> Thanks for your comments, Allen.
>
> Never could figure out why they kept showing up on
> those LA-WC-LA consists. When I had one in my
> train, first order
> of business was to isolate it before I forgot,
> otherwise I'd have to be answering a lot of
> questions from my RFE.
> I probably shouldn't have complained, though,
> since their weight on drivers helped the
> paycheck---back when that counted.
> My guess is SP just threw them out there as
> insurance---in case all else failed---you could
> put them online and putter along at 25.
>
> Charlie
>
>  Why were they restricted to 25 mph; truck hunting, weight? Just curious.
Thanks.

The SP had removed the transition gear from them because they wanted them for heavy dutyty switching service only, and didn't want the additional maintenance of the parallel contactors and the field shunts.
With no parallel contactors, the back voltage across the generator would go to high and cause a flashover.
G

ExSPCondr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The SP had removed the transition gear from them
> because they wanted them for heavy dutyty
> switching service only, and didn't want the
> additional maintenance of the parallel contactors
> and the field shunts.
> With no parallel contactors, the back voltage
> across the generator would go to high and cause a
> flashover.

Truth to tell, I've forgotten the reason. Just tried to comply with my instructions but seem to
recall it had to do with something electrical. Thanks, George.

Charlie