Nostalgia & History > Cotton Belt GP30 5007 in Tracy, CA

Cotton Belt (SSW) GP30 5007 is in the Tracy Power Pool with SP 3383, in Tracy, CA, on an unrecorded date in January 1974.
SSW 5007 is an EMD GP30, SP Class EF423C-1. Reportedly: SSW 5007 was built in 1963 by EMD as a model GP30, builders number 28179, SSW 757, SSW Class Z-22. In 1965 it was renumbered to SSW 5007 EMD GP30, SP Class EF423C-1.
The disposition of this locomotive is, retired 1986. Sold 1987 to Chrome Crankshaft. In 1987 leased to Kerr-McGee Chemicals Trona, CA. In 1988 MK rebuilt unit as BN GP39M 2803, becoming BNSF 2803.

I hope you like this post:

Steve Sloan
San José, CA

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what other railroads used yellow handrails?

Coupled to an ex- T&NO GP-9...... Nice!

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

dragoon Wrote:
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> what other railroads used yellow handrails?
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the yellow is a protective coating put on by the manufacturer.  The previous handrails must have been damaged and had to be replaced.  SP was just too cheap to paint them gray. 

ExStarlightHog Wrote:
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> dragoon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > what other railroads used yellow handrails?
> I'm not 100% sure, but I think the yellow is a
> protective coating put on by the manufacturer. 
> The previous handrails must have been damaged and
> had to be replaced.  SP was just too cheap to
> paint them gray. 

Pretty sure the yellow handrails were a Cotton Belt thing and could be seen on several of their locos.

tehachapifan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ExStarlightHog Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > dragoon Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > what other railroads used yellow handrails?
> > I'm not 100% sure, but I think the yellow is a
> > protective coating put on by the
> manufacturer. 
> > The previous handrails must have been damaged
> and
> > had to be replaced.  SP was just too cheap to
> > paint them gray. 
>
> Pretty sure the yellow handrails were a Cotton
> Belt thing and could be seen on several of their
> locos.

Yes, the yellow handrails were a Cotton Belt thing going back to their first diesels. Mostly to show their "independance" from the SP.

I remember being assigned to the delivery of those new GP30 units, at Pine Bluff, AR. As delivered they were painted a light gray color, and NOT anything related to SP.

Thanks folks for the great comments.

~Steve

The New York Cental had units with yellow handrails on the ends of the locomotive.

Victor Baird

Edit: The NYC painted the side rails too.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/23 10:07 by wabash2800.