Nostalgia & History > SP SD7's

SP 1427 working switch job at top end of Taylor Yard, Los Angeles, CA 2-10-79

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SP 1500 on Mojave Flyer at Cameron, CA 2-1-79

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Cool! And to think it still had a barrel type Mars light in 1979.

Phil

What was the task of the Mojave Flyer? Was it a local out of Mojave?

It was a 'local' of sorts which ran between Bakersfield and Mojave if my somewhat cloudy memory is correct

The second numbering of the 7's

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The photo of the 1500 on the "flyer" is very interesting, primarily because I also photographed this train on the same day! An SD-7 in the lead on Tehachapi was virtually unknown at this date. The 1500 was enroute back to L.A. and was apparently snagged by a power-hungry Bakersfield roundhouse to pinch hit on the local. When the 1500 finally was retired, it languished in Exeter for a while prior to being scrapped right here in Fresno. If I recall correctly, this sad event was around 1997 or so.

John

4 radiator fans on top (vs. 3, like I thought...)--you learn something new every day!

Only 250 hp per axle--I would imagine the lugged well and weren't too slippery, vs. say, a late model ATSF GP-60M??