Nostalgia & History > Orig. Espee diesels

Anyone care to elaborate on these switchers? Wasn't SP 1000 the very first diesel?

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1000 was the the first and a demo unit (as was the 1001). I believe these are from the first regular order for diesels. And may have actually come on the books before the demo units did (after completing their demo duties SP bought them.) The 1000 and 1001 were on the property and painted for the SP but were owned by the manufacturers for some time while they were being run through their paces.

Obviously this is a photo of one of the little "Hmm, gotta figure out a better way," moments. Filling the sand box from a steam engine sand dome(box) standpipe.

SP 1000 was EMC demonstrator 804 while 1001 was the Alco demonstrator. Both generated followup orders but according to Strapac (Southern Pacific Review-1977)the Alco version was near the end of its developmental cycle and only two more high hood Alcos were bought before the new design became available. Those two are the 1002 and 1003.

Interesting photo, stash. The 1001-1003 were also significant in that they were among the very first diesel retirements from SP's roster, lasting only to 1962 or so. That's really not too long after the final steam retirements. Also, the 1001 was the only one of the three to see grey and red paint. The other two went to scrap in black and orange. Finally, all three, to my knowledge, worked virtually their entire careers in the Bay Area.

John

SP 1000 is still sitting in Tracy, CA at Holly Sugar, as Holly Sugar No. 1 (in Holly Sugar colors of blue and white.) It has been sold to the California State Railroad Museum and will find its way to Sacramento eventually.

Mike in Tracy