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Southern Pacific Railroad: "The Friendly Southern Pacific"

Last revised: October 16, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The Southern Pacific (SP) was one of America's most successful and widely recognized railroads.  Its name stands alongside notables like the Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio, and Illinois Central. 

The "Espee" carries a heritage tied to one of the most important events in American history, completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. 

Afterwards, Central Pacific's so-called "Big Four" (Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins) jockeyed for total control of California's transportation network. 

To do so, they created the Southern Pacific and rapidly expanded their new enterprise throughout the Golden State. 

Their system eventually became so large it stretched from Portland, Oregon to New Orleans, Louisiana.  In addition, a multitude of celebrated subsidiaries comprised SP's network like the Texas & New Orleans, Cotton Belt, and the great Pacific Electric Railway. 

Photos

7902976511n10780918y1939078.jpgFrom left to right: Southern Pacific PA-2 #6019, PA-2 #6014, and PA-1 #6008 await their next assignments at the West Oakland Shops in 1952. Stewart Liebman photo. American-Rails.com collection.

History

Over time, it blossomed into the most far-reaching of all the classic American railroads with a network totaling 17,000 miles after its 1988 merger with the Denver & Rio Grande Western. 

Alas, poor management in the decades following World War II greatly weakened this proud carrier as neglect and failed mergers saw its acquisition by Union Pacific in 1996.  Today, given Southern Pacific's impressive size and scope most of its principal lines remain in regular service.

Southern Pacific rebuilt SD9E Cadillacs at Austin, Texas, circa 1982. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Central Pacific

The vaunted Southern Pacific name carries a complex history although its immediate heritage can be traced back to the Transcontinental Railroad's completion. 

When the Central Pacific (CP) and Union Pacific met on May 10, 1869 at Promontory Summit, Utah the West was opened to new means of economic development and settlement, enabling travelers to take cross-country trips in mere days instead of months. 

Following this milestone, CP's "Big Four" maneuvered to dominate Californian trade.  Their first task involved opening service beyond Sacramento, directly into Oakland/San Francisco. 

The Southern Pacific Railroad logo. Author's work.

Formation

According to a 1933 piece released by the Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society entitled, "Historical Outline, Southern Pacific Company, March 1933," the original Southern Pacific Railroad had no ties to either the modern company or the "Big Four." 

That corporation's chartering took place on December 2, 1865 and, as Bill Yenne's book, "The History Of The Southern Pacific," notes it was given Congressional authority on July 27, 1866 to establish another transcontinental route from San Francisco to the Colorado River at California's southeastern border.  There, it would meet the Atlantic & Pacific Railway building east from St. Louis.

Southern Pacific GP9's #5603 and #5611 lead commuter train #130 (San Francisco - Los Gatos) out of San Francisco, circa 1955. Gordon Glattenberg photo. American-Rails.com collection.

While the project did include some new construction it was greatly aided by the February 4, 1868 acquisition of the San Francisco & San Jose Railroad, which linked its namesake towns. 

For a brief time it appeared the "Big Four" might actually have to share the state's transportation services with this independent railroad. 

Such an unthinkable scenario proved short-lived, though, when they purchased the original Southern Pacific on September 29, 1869.  In a complicated series of corporate shakeups the SP combined operations with CP in 1870 (the former did not officially lease the latter until April 1, 1885). 

A pair of handsome Southern Pacific PA-2's lead train #19, the southbound "Klamath" (Portland - San Francisco), over the big lift bridge spanning the Carquinez Strait near Martinez, California, circa 1953. Gordon Glattenberg photo. American-Rails.com collection.

On November 11, 1869 the "Big Four" completed an extension from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay at Oakland through two subsidiaries known as the Western Pacific Railroad (no relation to the well-known WP built decades later) and San Francisco Bay Railroad. 

According to Brian Solomon's book, "Southern Pacific Railroad," the group then formed a new Southern Pacific Railroad on October 12, 1870 to obtain the original and others mentioned (including CP). 

A further corporate layer was added on August 14, 1884 when the Southern Pacific Company was created in Kentucky to manage all properties under the "Big Four's" direction.

An A-B-A set of Southern Pacific F7's, along with a GS-class 4-8-4, have northbound train #71 at Serrano, California, circa 1955. This largely mail/express run operated the Coast Line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Gordon Glattenberg photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Expansion

The Southern Pacific began its march out of the Bay Area in March of 1869 when it opened an extension 30 miles south of San Jose to Gilroy. 

Beyond, it passed through the San Joaquin Valley reaching Modesto (November, 1870), Fresno (May, 1872), and Bakersfield (November, 1874) before dispatching its first train to Los Angeles (then a town of less than 10,000 residents) on September 5, 1876.    

At A Glance

Headquarters
San Francisco, California (65 Market Street)
States Served
California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee (Memphis)
Dates Of Operation
October 26, 1863 - September 10, 1996
Founder
U.S. Congress
Most Notable President
Collis P. Huntington
Charter Date
December 2, 1865
Genesis
Central Pacific Railroad (June 28, 1861)
Route Mileage (1930)

15,039 (1950)

17,340 (1995)

Track Gauge
4 Feet, 8 ½ Inches
Principal Lines

San Francisco - Ogden/Salt Lake City ("Overland Route")

San Francisco - San Jose - San Louis Obispo - Los Angeles ("Coast Line")

San Francisco - Sacramento - Portland ("Shasta Route")

Los Angeles - El Paso - San Antonio - Houston - New Orleans ("Sunset Route")

Los Angeles - El Paso - Tucumcari, New Mexico - Chicago ("Golden State Route" via Rock Island)

Houston - Dallas/Fort Worth, Dallas/Fort Worth - St. Louis

Memphis - Brinkley, Arkansas

San Francisco - Fresno - Bakersfield - Los Angeles ("San Joaquin Valley Line")

Black Butte, California - Odell Lake, Oregon - Portland ("Cascade Line")

Black Butte, California - Ashland, Oregon - Eugene - Portland ("Siskiyou Line")

Klamath Falls, Oregon - Fernley, Nevada ("Modoc Line")

Locomotives Owned (1963)

Diesel: 2,096

Rolling Stock Owned (1963)

Freight Cars: 77,401

Passenger Cars: 1,002

Slogan
The Friendly Southern Pacific
Reporting Mark
SP
Successors
Union Pacific

As the work trekked south, surveyors ran into a major problem 32 miles outside of Bakersfield, the Tehachapi Mountains.  To tackle this rugged stretch of topography the "Big Four" hired engineer William Hood who designed an impressive route containing eastbound ruling grades (compensated) of only 2.52% while westbound grades (compensated) were an even gentler 1.36%. 

The line reached the summit at 4,025 feet although its most endearing feature lay nine miles below where a sweeping loop allowed Hood to keep grades manageable while gaining an additional 77 feet in elevation.   

Today, the fabled Tehachapi Loop remains in regular use by both Union Pacific (owner) and BNSF Railway (lessor).  After arriving in Los Angeles, the SP expanded in all directions. 

A pair of Southern Pacific PA-2's, led by #6042, are running light as they arrive in Los Angeles during the summer of 1963. Author's collection.

The first decision involved continuing east to the Colorado River at Fort Yuma, Arizona.  That extension was completed in May of 1877 and with the Atlantic & Pacific bogged down by financial problems the "Big Four" pressed on after successfully amending their railroad's charter. 

It enabled them to reach Texas where the SP would meet the Texas & Pacific Railway (then under Jay Gould's control) at El Paso.  After just four years of construction the latter point was reached on May 19, 1881. 

With the T&P still 100 miles away Huntington elected to continue building eastward and arrived in Sierra Blanca by November 25th. 

This decision greatly angered Gould and the two parties went to court over the matter.  It was finally resolved when they signed the "Gould-Huntington Agreement" on November 26, 1881, which gave the T&P trackage rights over the SP from Sierra Blanca to El Paso but also forfeited the former's charter and franchises west of that point (awarded to SP). 

Notable Acquisitions

The speed at which Huntington raced across the Southwest was, indeed, quite impressive. By January 12, 1883 his railroad was complete to Pecos, a location where it met the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway, another Huntington-controlled system that had been building west from San Antonio. 

Through this subsidiary, and control of the Louisiana & Texas Railroad & Steamship Company, the SP offered through service from Los Angeles to New Orleans over the newly christened "Sunset Route"

In 1881, Huntington picked up another property known as the Texas & New Orleans Railroad.  In 1927, all of SP's subsidiaries in Texas and Louisiana, except for the "Cotton Belt," were operated under the T&NO name.

Collis P. Huntington

In 1884 the SP maintained a commanding 4,711-mile network, including all subsidiaries and leased properties. 

By then, Collis Huntington's held complete control after the "Big Four" had fragmented:

  • Mark Hopkins died on March 29, 1878

  • Crocker sold out in 1871 but came back in 1873 as a minority owner until his death on August 14, 1888

  • Leland Stanford and Huntington had an increasingly strained relationship resulting in the former handing over the presidency to the latter on February 28, 1890

Throughout the 1880's, Huntington continued growing his empire; not only did he dominate rail service throughout the Golden State but also eyed expansion toward the Puget Sound. 

- He would later lose his grip on California when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe's William Barstow Strong outmaneuvered the tycoon and broke up his monopoly. -

The SP accessed Redding in 1872 through a subsidiary known as the California & Oregon Railroad (C&O).  This system carried a history dating back to 1865 (acquired by CP in 1870); it was envisioned to connect Marysville, California with Portland, Oregon but only succeeded in doing so with the "Big Four's" financial backing.

A beautiful Southern Pacific PA-PB-PA set, led by PA-1 #6021, lead train #12, the northbound "Cascade," out of the Bay Area, circa 1956. This service ran the Shasta Route, linking Oakland/San Francisco with Portland, Oregon. Gordon Glattenberg photo. American-Rails.com collection.

After a decade of dormancy, the C&O was extended to Ashland, Oregon in 1887.  There it met the similarly-named Oregon & California Railroad (O&C, originally known as the Oregon Central Railroad), led by Henry Villard, which had built south from Portland. 

That same year the then-bankrupt O&C was acquired.  During a formal last spike ceremony (driven by Charles Crocker) on December 17th the Southern Pacific established a new corridor to Portland, better known as the Siskiyou Line which formed part of its "Shasta Route." 

By 1890, SP owned a network of 8,000 route miles and as it continued growing formed the classic system remembered so well today. 

In 1901 it completed the fabled "Coast Line," which offered a direct route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, via San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. 

It was along this corridor, featuring breathtaking scenes of the Pacific Ocean, that SP unveiled its wildly successful Coast Daylight streamliner on March 21, 1937. 

Thanks to this train's popularity an entire fleet was launched in the succeeding years with names like the Sacramento DaylightSan Joaquin Daylight, and Shasta Daylight.

A handsome set of Southern Pacific F7's, led by #6141, lead a westbound freight consist near Pomona, California, circa 1956. Gordon Glattenberg photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Collis Huntington leadership ended with his death on August 13, 1900.  He had built an impressive railroad which roughly formed a crescent moon shape extending from Portland, Oregon to New Orleans via California and the American Southwest. 

In 1901, another noted mogul, Edward Harriman, acquired a 45% stake in SP; his reign lasted less than a decade when he died on September 9, 1909. 

However, during his brief stint he greatly improved the property by funneling millions into rebuilding bridges, double-tracking key sections of main line, and purchasing new locomotives/equipment. 

A quartet of Southern Pacific F7's, led by #6242, ease downgrade through the Sacramento River Canyon near Castella, California on January 26, 1964. Tom Gildersleeve photo. Author's collection.

Two of his most noteworthy projects included upgrading the Shasta Route and building the Lucin Cutoff.  The former improved SP's Portland gateway by circumventing the steep, circuitous, and grade-riddled (as high as 3.3%) Siskiyou Line

What was known as the Natron Cutoff, or Cascade Line, began during the Harriman era and headed east/southeast from Eugene. 

It passed to the east of Crater Lake and through the Cascade Mountains but required over a decade to finish due to ongoing legal issues surrounding Harriman's ownership of both the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific (the two were separated following a Supreme Court ruling in December of 1912). 

There was also the Modoc Line which opened in 1929 at a cost of $16 million; it acted as an inside gateway between southern Oregon and western Nevada.

System Map (1969)

Modern Network

The Natron Cutoff was finally completed in February of 1926 where it reconnected with the Siskiyou Line at Black Butte, California.  The original Lucin Cutoff, a combined 16-mile causeway and 12-mile wooden trestle, pierced the center of the Great Salt Lake. It opened in 1903 at a cost of $8.4 million. 

This undertaking not only reduced grades by circumventing the lake's northern shore but also reduced 44 miles from the Ogden main line. 

Throughout the 1920's the "Espee" continued its expansion program; on October 31, 1924 it purchased the 1,200-mile El Paso & Southwestern Railroad from the Phelps, Dodge Corporation for $64 million and then, nearly a decade later, added the much larger, 1,500-mile St. Louis Southwestern Railway on April 19, 1932. 

The EP&SW largely served the same territory as the SP with a main line running from Benson, Arizona to El Paso.  However, it did contain one important segment, a north-south line linking El Paso with Tucumcari, New Mexico where it met the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific (Rock Island). 

This interchange proved very important and became part of the railroads' Golden State Route as they worked closely in handling business between Chicago and Los Angeles.  The St. Louis Southwestern, better known as the "Cotton Belt," carried even greater importance with lines connecting Texas with St. Louis.

Southern Pacific FP7 #6448 is stopped at Glendale, California with train #98, the eastbound/southbound "Coast Daylight" in May of 1967. American-Rails.com collection.

The Southern Pacific is credited with launching one of the most successful and glamorous streamliners ever put into service when the previously-mentioned Coast Daylight debuted in 1937.  Ironically, only two decades later the railroad became disenchanted with these trains. 

First, it dropped its beautiful two-tone orange "Daylight" livery in favor of a simplified red/grey scheme and then reduced the fleet until only a few services remained by the time Amtrak began on May 1, 1971. 

In the postwar years, SP increasingly turned its attention to freight; it fully dieselized in 1957 and was an early proponent of modernization. 

The company was quick to utilize computers and install electronic hump yards (the first computerized hump yards opened in 1973 at West Colton, California) to increase efficiency. 

It moved a wide variety of products at this time ranging from lumber, automobiles, steel and chemicals to petroleum, copper, agriculture, and trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) service (after 1953). 

The latter transitioned into container-on-flatcar (COFC), or intermodal, which became a major source of traffic after the 1980's. 

To meet this demand, SP purchased its first double-stack containers in 1981.  Of particular note was its once highly lucrative perishable business serving California's lush San Joaquin Valley. 

In 1886 the railroad developed the first refrigerator car, or reefer, and later worked with Union Pacific to inaugurate Pacific Fruit Express (PFE). 

As Mike Schafer notes in his book "Classic American Railroads," by 1962 the two owned some 22,000 reefers operating as part of dedicated time freights.

Southern Pacific GP9 #5602 awaits departure from San Francisco's 3rd & Townsend Depot with commuter train #114 in September, 1956. American-Rails.com collection.

For all of the railroad’s historic wealth and prosperity (it even weathered the Great Depression without experiencing bankruptcy) traffic pattern shifts, coupled with poor management, proved costly.  Donald J. Russell, who took the helm on January 1, 1952, was the company's last great leader. 

He expected a well-run and well-maintained railroad on the cutting edge of innovation.  However, as Don Hofsommer points out in his article, "Not Only A Railroad, But An Empire: How SP Went From Mighty Octopus To Tarnished Suitor," from the March, 1998 issue of Trains Magazine, following his departure SP's fortunes took a turn for the worse. 

On May 17, 1972, Benjamin F. Biaggini succeeded Russell.  He was brought in for a singular purpose, diversification.  With much of the industry struggling after the 1950's many turned to holding companies as a means of expanding their portfolios to escape the transportation sector's cyclical nature. 

While financial difficulties were not being experienced at the time its board nevertheless felt the plan was important for long term growth. 

Southern Pacific Communications Company

In 1969 a new Southern Pacific Company was born as a holding company for the railroad (Southern Pacific Transportation Company), the new Southern Pacific Communications Company (SPCC), and the SP's lesser subsidiaries.

The SPCC was created for public use, most notably as a telephone provider, but its history can be traced back much, much further.  It was originally born from a great need by the railroad to provide its own efficient and reliable means of communication within its vast, 15,000-mile network.  

According to Mr. Yenne's book, by 1953 Southern Pacific had developed the largest private communications system in the world.  What began as a general telegraph/telephone line system eventually developed into an intricate, reliable, and highly technological network (which included microwave) that covered 500,000 channel miles with a 99.96% daily reliability rate.

The system could be used for direct communication as well as facsimile transmission, telemetering, dispatching, CTC, VHF radio, and car identification. 

In 1973, the railroad began marketing the Southern Pacific Communications Company to the general public.  As it grew and became profitable it was sold to General Telephone & Electronics (GTE) in 1982 for $740 million.  Today, this 

Southern Pacific F7A #6129 leads an eastbound freight near Bakersfield, California during the 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.

In doing so, the railroad was neglected, a common theme from the holding company era.  As service rapidly declined and the country shifted from a manufacturing base to services, business evaporated. 

Its once profitable automotive traffic and San Francisco industrial base disappeared as plants either closed or moved overseas. 

SP's perishable losses were a direct result of poor service, both of its own making and the disaster unfolding back east where Penn Central's collapse was being felt nationwide.  Farmers could ill-afford to lose their cash crops and, as a result, quickly abandoned trains for trucks. 

The SP's once sprawling network of branch lines and spurs throughout the valley, seemingly reaching every farm and field, had largely been abandoned by the 1980's. 

In barely a decade one of the industry's stars, carrying a network of 15,039 route miles (including the Cotton Belt), was desperately trying to avoid bankruptcy. 

Southern Pacific SD70M #9801, just two months old, was photographed here by Keith Ardinger in Portland, Oregon on June 30, 1994. American-Rails.com collection.

To do so, Southern Pacific sought merger with a stronger carrier.  It found one in the powerful and world-renowned Santa Fe.

Steve Glischinski notes in his book, "Santa Fe Railway," the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and SP announced on May 15, 1980 they would become one to form the Southern Pacific & Santa Fe Railway. 

Within months these talks ended but were renewed just three years later on September 27, 1983.  In these latest discussions a merger was approved, which created the Santa Fe Southern Pacific Corporation. 

Passenger Trains

Argonaut: (Los Angeles - New Orleans)

Cascade: (Oakland - Portland)

City of San Francisco: Union Pacific's streamliner forwarded by the SP to Oakland, California.

The Daylight Fleet:  (San Francisco - Los Angeles)

Del Monte: (San Francisco - Monterey)

Golden State:  (Los Angeles - Chicago via Tucumcari in conjunction with the Rock Island)

Imperial: Operated between Los Angeles and Chicago in conjunction with the Rock Island.

Lark: (Oakland/San Francisco - Los Angeles via San Luis Obispo)

Owl: (San Francisco - Los Angeles)

Sacramento Daylight: (Sacramento - Los Angeles)

San Francisco Overland: Until 1955 operated in conjunction with UP and C&NW between Los Angeles and Chicago. Afterward operated only west to St. Louis via the Wabash Railroad.

San Joaquin Daylight: (Oakland - Los Angeles via Bakersfield)

Shasta Daylight:  (Oakland - Portland)

Starlight: (San Francisco - Los Angeles)

Sunbeam/Hustler: (Houston - Dallas)

Sunset Limited: (Originally San Francisco - New Olreans, later Los Angeles - New Orleans)

Southern Pacific GP40P-2 #3197, wearing its Bicentennial livery, is seen here in service on Altamont Pass, California, circa 1978.  Gary Perrazo photo. American-Rails.com collection.

While the two railroads remained separate their holding companies (Santa Fe Industries and Southern Pacific Company) were joined on December 23, 1983. 

In a stunning defeat, the Interstate Commerce Commission announced on July 24, 1986 that it had denied the marriage on monopolistic grounds. 

The stillborn railroad had even adopted a new livery of red and yellow (dubbed the "Kodachrome" scheme), which had been applied to some locomotives and equipment.  Railfans facetiously dubbed it "Shouldn't Paint So Fast." 

Diesel Roster

American Locomotive Company

Model Type Road Number Date Built Quantity
S110 (T&NO), 1017-102019415
S230-71 (T&NO), 89-94 (T&NO), 1300-1309, 1330-1370, 1386-1392, 1426-14411941-1950122
S495-104 (T&NO), 1464-1485, 1514-1528, 1551-15671951-195564
PA-1200A-205A (T&NO), 200B-205B (T&NO), 6005A-6010A, 6005C-6010C1948-194924
HH-6601001-100319393
S31023-1032195110
S61033-1090, 4634-46451955-195670
C4152400-2409196610
RSD154816-481819593
C6284845-4869196525
RSD55294-5307, 5336-5339, 5445-5448, 5494-55071953-195636
RS115723-5729, 5845-58711956-195934
PB-25918-59241950-19537
PB-16005B-6010B1948-19496
PA-26019-6045, 6900-69051950-195333
RSD127000-7020196121
RS327300-7309196210
C6307800-7814196615
C6439018-902019643

Baldwin Locomotive Works

Model Type Road Number Date Built Quantity
S12105-107 (T&NO), 1442-1463, 1492-1513, 1539-15501951-195359
AS416177-184 (T&NO), 5228-52781950-195259
DRS-6-6-1500 (A)187-190 (T&NO), 5203-52261949-195028
VO-6601021-102219412
VO-10001320-1329, 1371-13851941-194425
DS-4-4-10001393-1402194810
DRS-6-6-1500 (B)522719501
DRS-6-4-15005200-520219483

Electro-Motive Corporation/Electro-Motive Division

Model Type Road Number Date Built Quantity
E2ASF119371
E2BSF2-SF319372
E6ASF419411
E6BSF5-SF619412
SW111 (T&NO), 1000, 1004-10161939-194115
SW812-16 (T&NO), 4604-46231953-195425
NW272-88 (T&NO), 1310-1319, 1403-14251941-194940
SW9108-112 (T&NO)19535
SW1200113-118 (T&NO), 123-128 (T&NO), 1597-16061954-196522
GP9240-249 (T&NO), 280-283 (T&NO), 400-410 (T&NO), 411-458 (T&NO), 5600-5719, 5730-5844, 5872-58911954-1959318
F7A338-381 (T&NO), 6140A-6169A, 6140D-6169D, 6240-6423, 6440-64451949-1953288
F7B538-553, 6140B-6169B, 6140C-6169C, 8140-83031949-1953240
E7A907A, 6000A-6004A1946-19476
E7B908B-909B, 6000B-6004B, 6000C-6004C1946-194712
SW15002450-2480, 2493-2510, 2523-2578, 2591-26891967-1969204
MP15DC2690-27011974-197512
MP15AC2702-2731, 2736-2759197554
SD38-22971-297619736
GP40P-23197-319919743
SDP453200-3209196710
TR64600-4700 (Cow-Calf), 4601-4603 (Cow), 4701-4703 (Calf)1950-19518
SW9004624-4633195410
GP38-24800-4844 (Second)198045
SD354816-4844 (First)1963-196529
SD75279-5293, 5308-5335 (First)1952-195343
SD395300-5325 (Second)196826
SD95340-5444, 5449-54931954-1956150
E8A601819501
E9A6046-605419549
F3A6100A-6139A, 6100D-6139D1947-1949280
F3B6100B-6139B, 6100C-6139C1947-1949280
FP76446-6461195316
GP207200-7237 (First)1960-196238
GP40X7200-7201, 7230-7231 (Second)19784
GP307400-740719638
GP357408-7484, 7700-77821963-1965160
GP40-27608-7627, 7640-76771978-198458
SD40T-28230-8391, 8489-85731974-1979247
DD358400-8402 (First)19643
SD408400-8488 (Second)196689
SD458800-8963, 8982-9051, 9069-91511966-1970348
SD45T-29166-9313, 9344-93701972-1975175
SD45X9500-95051970-19716
GP609600-9619, 9715-97941988-1994100
SD70M9800-9824199425

Fairbanks Morse

Model Type Road Number Date Built Quantity
H12-441486-1491, 1529-15961952-195774
H24-66 (Train Master)4802-48151953-195414

General Electric

Model Type Road Number Date Built Quantity
50-Tonner (Narrow-Gauge)119541
AC4400CW100-3781995279
70-Tonner5100-5120 (First)1949-195521
B23-75100-5114 (Second)198015
U28B7025-702819664
U28C7150-7159196610
U25B7500-75671962-196668
B36-77754-7769198416
B30-77800-78831978-197984
U30C7900-79361968-196937
B39-88000-8039198740
C44-9W8100-82001994101
U508500-850219643
U33C8585-87961969-1975212

Steam Roster

Given its size it's no surprise the "Friendly Service Route" maintained a large and eclectic fleet of steam locomotives. During the 20th century its notable examples via acquisition came from the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway and El Paso & Southwestern Railroad.

The SP also acquired a handful of narrow-gauge systems, most notably the Carson & Colorado and Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. Interestingly, as freight feeders components of these 3-foot lines survived as branches well into the late 20th century.

For most railfans the SP is remembered for its unique "Cab Forward" large articulateds utilized in the tunnels and snowsheds of Donner Pass - as well as along the Modoc Line.

In addition was its large fleet of 4-8-4s; while the streamlined examples for the Daylights are most famous, the railroad's fleet of 81 (including the 11 used on the Cotton Belt) were fine machines which powered numerous passenger trains and fast freights.

Steam on the Espee ended between 1956-1959: according to George Drury's book, "Guide To North American Steam Locomotives: Revised Edition," the last steam-powered freight train occurred on November 30, 1956 while the final such passenger run took place on January 22, 1957.

Finally, the very last steam engine to ever operate in regular service on the railroad was narrow-gauge 4-6-0 #9 - a former Nevada-California-Oregon engine - which ran between Laws and Keeler, California on October 19, 1958.

34692934982375275782689304973908.jpgSouthern Pacific 4-8-8-2 "Cab Forward" #4294 (AC-12) at Colton, California; July, 1951. Today, this locomotive is preserved at the California State Railroad Museum. American-Rails.com collection.

Switchers

Wheel Arrangement Class Road Number(s) Quantity Builder(s) Completion Date Retirement Date Notes
0-6-0 S-19 26-29 4 Schenectady 1901, 1903 1936-1937 ex-San Antonio & Aransas Pass (SA&AP), ex-EP&SW
0-6-0 S-3 45-52 8 Schenectady (Alco) 1899-1900 1930-1947 -
0-6-0 S-5 53-77 25 Baldwin 1902-1903 1939-1941 -
0-6-0 S-7 78-81 4 Schenectady (Alco) 1904 1947-1950 -
0-6-0 S-8 82-102 21 Baldwin 1906-1911 1941-1949 -
0-6-0 S-9 103-110 8 Baldwin 1912 1947-1950 -
0-6-0 S-8 111-116 6 Baldwin 1906-1907 1946-1949 ex-Houston & Texas Central (H&TC)
0-6-0 S-9 117-128 12 Baldwin 1913 1947-1954 -
0-6-0 S-10 129-136 8 Baldwin 1917-1918 1950-1953 -
0-6-0 S-13 137-146 10 Baldwin 1920-1921 1952-1956 -
0-6-0 S-14 147-166 20 Lima, T&NO 1924-1926 1952-1957 -
0-8-0 SE-3 175-186 12 T&NO 1930-1936 1952-1957 -
0-6-0 S-16 1002 1 Baldwin 1903 1935 ex-El Paso & Southwestern
0-6-0 S-16 1003-1014 12 Schenectady (Alco) 1907 1932-1936 ex-El Paso & Southwestern
0-6-0 S-57 1077-1101 25 Baldwin 1901-1902 1932-1940 -
0-6-0 S-22 1100 1 Brooks 1922 1951 ex-South San Francisco Beltline
0-6-0 S-57 1102-1106 5 Baldwin 1903 1934-1938 Equipped with Vanderbilt boilers.
0-6-0 S-57 1107-1111 5 Baldwin 1903 1932-1945 -
0-6-0 S-57 1112-1121 12 Schenectady (Alco) 1904 1935-1952 -
0-6-0 S-51 1122-1194 73 Baldwin, Brooks (Alco) 1906-1911 1939-1951 -
0-6-0 S-51 1195-1209 15 Baldwin 1912 1946-1951 -
0-6-0 S-10 1210-1221 12 Baldwin 1913 1954-1958 -
0-6-0 S-11 1222-1231 10 Lima 1914 1953-1958 -
0-6-0 S-10 1232-1246 15 Baldwin 1918 1953-1957 -
0-6-0 S-12 1247-1284 38 SP 1919-1923 1949-1958 -
0-6-0 S-14 1285-1294 10 Lima 1924 1953-1958 -
0-6-0 S-8 1295-1297 3 Brooks (Alco), Baldwin 1908-1909 1940-1950 ex-Arizona Eastern Railroad
0-6-0 S-10 1298-1299 2 Baldwin 1917, 1918 1957, 1958 ex-Arizona Eastern Railroad
0-8-0 SE-2 1301-1306 6 Baldwin 1901, 1903 1935-1950 ex-EP&SW
0-8-0 SE-4 1307-1314 8 SP 1930-1937 1956-1958
0-8-0 SE-2 4500 1 Baldwin 1901 1950 ex-EP&SW
0-8-0 SE-4 4501-4508 8 SP 1930-1937 1956-1958 -
0-8-0 SE-3 4509-4512 4 T&NO 1930, 1936 1956-1958 -
198268271626542g2b2nn2k6o207089.jpgSouthern Pacific 2-6-0 #1760 (Class M-6b) was photographed here by Herb Cearley in its final days of service at Fresno, California during the 1950's. The SP owned hundreds of Moguls dating back to the 19th century with many added to the roster from predecessor railroads. This particular class (M-6b) was all retired by 1958. Author's collection.

Freight Locomotives

Wheel Arrangement Class Road Number(s) Quantity Builder(s) Completion Date Retirement Date Notes
4-6-0 (narrow-gauge) No Class 6, 7 2 Baldwin 1903 1934, 1935 ex-Nevada-California-Oregon Railway
4-6-0 (narrow-gauge) No Class 8, 9, 18 3 Baldwin 1907-1911 1954, 1960, 1955 ex-Nevada-California-Oregon Railway
2-6-0 M-4 410-459 50 Schenectady (Alco), Cooke (Alco) 1899-1901 1934-1955 -
2-6-0 M-7 460-469 10 Baldwin 1902 1928-1929 A Vauclain compound equipped with a Vanderbilt boiler.
2-6-0 M-20 481 1 Baldwin 1908 1953 ex-Dayton & Goose Creek Railway
2-6-0 M-6 482-485 4 Baldwin 1903 1947-1953 -
2-6-0 M-17 495 1 Baldwin 1905 1946 ex-SA&AP
2-6-0 M-18 496 1 Lima 1911 1932 ex-SA&AP
2-6-0 M-19 497-499 3 Baldwin 1911 1932, 1946 -
2-6-0 M-21 520-529 10 T&NO 1928-1930 1950-1954 ex-H&TC
2-6-0 M-11 500-514 15 Baldwin 1912 1952-1957 -
2-6-0 M-6 515-517 3 Baldwin 1903 1947-1953 -
2-6-0 M-9 550-556 7 Brooks (Alco) 1908 1948-1955 ex-H&TC
2-6-0 M-10 560-565 6 Baldwin 1909 1947-1953 ex-H&TC
2-8-2 Mk-5 738-794 57 T&NO, Baldwin, Brooks (Alco) 1913-1921 1953-1957 -
2-8-0 C-8 800-807 8 Baldwin 1904 1950-1955 -
2-8-0 C-9 808-857 50 Baldwin, Brooks (Alco) 1905-1908 1946-1958 -
2-8-0 C-20 867-869 3 Cooke (Alco) 1921 1953-1955 ex-SA&AP
2-8-0 C-21 870 1 Lima 1909 1953-1955 ex-SA&AP
2-8-0 C-22 871-876 6 Pittsburgh (Alco) 1900 1936-1947 ex-SA&AP
2-8-0 C-23 877-884 8 Baldwin 1913 1939-1957 ex-SA&AP
2-8-0 C-24 885-894 10 Lima 1913 1935-1955 ex-SA&AP
2-8-0 C-25 895, 896 2 Schenectady (Alco) 1913 1957, 1956 ex-Texas Midland Railroad
2-10-0 D-1 897-899 3 Baldwin 1903 1934, 1937 ex-SA&AP
2-6-6-2 MM-1 900-911 12 Baldwin 1910 1929-1930 Formerly 950-961.
2-10-2 F-1, F-4, F-5 900-999 (not sequential) 83 Baldwin, Brooks (Alco) 1917-1924 1953-1957 Transferred from the Pacific Lines.
2-6-0 M-4 1615-1719 103 Schenectady (Alco), Cooke (Alco) 1899-1901 1932-1957 -
2-6-0 M-7 1720-1724 5 Baldwin 1901 1934-1954 A Vauclain compound design equipped with a Vanderbilt boiler.
2-6-0 M-6 1725-1769 45 Baldwin 1901 1934-1958 A Vauclain compound design.
2-6-0 M-7 1770-1779 10 Baldwin 1902 1954-1958 A Vauclain compound design equipped with a Vanderbilt boiler.
2-6-0 M-6 1780-1802 23 Baldwin 1902-1903 1939-1958 A Vauclain compound design.
2-6-0 M-6 1803 1 Baldwin 1902 1953 ex-Cananea, Río Yaqui y Pacífico
2-6-0 M-9 1804-1818 15 Brooks (Alco) 1908 1934-1958 -
2-6-0 M-9 1819-1822 4 Baldwin 1909 1950-1953 -
2-6-0 M-6 1823-1825 3 SP 1917, 1918 1946-1957 -
2-6-0 M-9 1826, 1827 2 SP 1918 1952, 1953 -
2-6-0 M-9 1828-1830 3 Brooks (Alco) 1908 1950-1954 ex-Arizona Eastern Railroad
2-6-0 M-11 1831-1836 6 Baldwin 1909 1949-1956 ex-Arizona Eastern Railroad
2-6-2 Pr-1 1900-1903 4 Baldwin 1902 1932-1935 ex-EP&SW
2-6-2 Pr-2 1904-1905 2 Baldwin 1904 1935, 1932 -
2-8-0 C-32 2500 1 Baldwin 1906 1948 ex-Nacozari Railroad
2-8-0 C-13 2501 1 Lima 1905 1925 ex-Salem, Falls City & Western (SCF&W)
2-8-0 C-11 2502 1 Schenectady (Alco) 1904 1934 ex-Butte County Railroad
2-8-0 C-12 2503 1 Baldwin 1902 1936 ex-Butte County Railroad
2-8-0 C-15 2505-2508 4 Baldwin 1900 1939-1950 ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-15 2509 1 Baldwin 1901 1923 ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-17 2510-2511 2 Baldwin 1902, 1905 1949 ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-9 2513-2599 87 Baldwin 1906-1907 1949-1958 -
2-8-0 C-3 2606-2611 6 Schenectady (Alco) 1900 1935-1951 A cross-compound design.
2-8-0 C-4 2612-2623 12 Schenectady (Alco) 1901 1935-1957 A cross-compound design.
2-8-0 C-5 2624-2677 54 Baldwin 1901-1903 1934-1953 A Vauclain compound design.
2-8-0 C-5 2678-2693 16 Baldwin 1903-1904 1935-1952 -
2-8-0 C-8 2694-2751 58 Baldwin 1904 1952-1958 -
2-8-0 C-9 2752-2830 79 Baldwin 1905-1908 1951-1958 -
2-8-0 C-10 2831-2838 8 Baldwin 1911 1952-1958 -
2-8-0 C-10 2839-2857 19 SP 1917-1919 1949-1958 -
2-8-0 C-9 2858-2860 3 Brooks (Alco) 1908 1953-1954 ex-Arizona Eastern Railroad
2-8-0 C-11 2861-2864 4 Baldwin 1920-1921 1958 ex-SSW
2-8-0 C-12 2865-2868 4 Baldwin 1923 1958 ex-SSW
2-8-2 Mk-2 3200-3215 16 Baldwin 1911 1934-1956 -
2-8-2 Mk-4 3216-3240 25 Baldwin 1913 1934-1956 -
2-8-2 Mk-5 3236-3249 14 Baldwin 1913 1951-1956 -
2-8-2 Mk-5 3270-3277 8 Baldwin, Lima 1913-1917 1952-1956 -
2-8-2 Mk-6 3250-3269 20 Lima 1914 1951-1957 -
2-8-2 Mk-10 3295-3296 2 Brooks (Alco) 1923 1953 ex-Minarets & Western Railway
2-8-2 Mk-11 3297-3298 2 Brooks (Alco) 1914 1953, 1954 ex-Chicago & Illinois Midland
2-8-2 Mk-7 3300-3309 10 Schenectady (Alco) 1913, 1916 1950-1954 ex-EP&SW
2-8-2 Mk-8 3310-3314 5 Schenectady (Alco) 1918 1951-1954 ex-EP&SW
2-8-2 Mk-9 3315-3324 10 Schenectady (Alco) 1920 1950-1955 ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-18 3400-3409 10 Baldwin 1902, 1903 1932-1959 ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-19 3410-3426 17 Baldwin 1904 1934-1959 ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-20 3440-3444 5 Baldwin 1906 1951 (sold) ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-21 3445-3449 5 Baldwin 1906-1907 1951 (sold) ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-22 3452-3469 18 Schenectady (Alco) 1907 1951 (sold) ex-EP&SW
2-8-0 C-23 3450-3451 2 Schenectady (Alco) 1907 1951 (sold) ex-EP&SW
2-8-4 B-1 3500-3509 10 Lima 1928 1950-1951 ex-Boston & Maine
2-10-2 F-2 3600 1 Brooks (Alco) 1918 Transferred to the T&NO in 1946. -
2-10-2 F-1 3601-3652 52 Brooks (Alco), Baldwin 1917, 1919 1952-1958 -
2-10-2 F-3 3653-3667 15 Baldwin 1921 1952-1958 -
2-10-2 F-4 3668-3717 50 Baldwin 1922 1951-1958 -
2-10-2 F-5 3718-3768 51 Baldwin 1923-1924 1949-1956 Most examples later transferred to the T&NO.
2-10-2 F-6 3769 1 Baldwin 1924 1955 -
4-10-2 SP-1 5000-5015 16 Schenectady (Alco) 1925 1951-1954 -
4-10-2 SP-2 5016-5038 23 Schenectady (Alco) 1926 1953-1955 -
4-10-2 SP-3 5039-5048 10 Schenectady (Alco) 1927 1953-1954 -
2971276127356128372198209858723697.jpgOne of Southern Pacific's workhorse 2-8-0s, #2514 (C-9), is seen here in Los Angeles during the 1950s. Mac Owen collection.

Passenger Locomotives

Wheel Arrangement Class Road Number(s) Quantity Builder(s) Completion Date Retirement Date Notes
4-4-0 E-23 261-265 5 Cooke (Alco) 1900 1941-1951 -
4-4-0 E-39 205-209 5 Baldwin 1924 1946 ex-SA&AP
4-4-0 E-40 220-223 4 Baldwin 1922 1947, 1954 ex-SA&AP
4-4-0 E-41 224 1 Baldwin 1921 1946 ex-Dayton & Goose Creek
4-4-2 A-2 285-288 4 Baldwin 1903 1921 A Vauclain compound design.
4-4-2 A-3 289-292 4 Schenectady (Alco), Baldwin 1904 1932 -
4-6-0 T-28 700-711 12 Brooks (Alco), Baldwin 1908, 1911 1954-1955 -
4-6-0 T-38 369-374 6 Baldwin 1907-1908 1930-1937 ex-SA&AP
4-6-2 P-5 600-609 10 Baldwin 1912 1952-1957 Formerly 900-909.
4-6-2 P-6 610-621 12 Brooks (Alco) 1913 1952-1954 Formerly 920-931.
4-6-2 P-9 622-630 1 Baldwin 1923 1953-1955 -
4-6-2 P-13 631-633 3 Baldwin 1928 1954-1955 -
4-6-2 P-14 650-652 3 Brooks (Alco) 1913 1954-1955 Formerly 2455-2457
4-8-4 GS-1 700-703 4 Baldwin 1930 1954-1956 -
4-4-0 E-23 1445-1458 14 Cooke (Alco) 1900 1932-1945 -
4-4-0 E-27 1526-1540 15 Baldwin 1911 1934 -
4-6-0 T-35 2101 1 Schenectady (Alco) 1900 1926 ex-EP&SW
4-6-0 T-36 2102-2104 3 Manchester Locomotive Works (Alco) 1902 1934-1947 ex-EP&SW
4-6-0 T-37 2105, 2106 2 Rhode Island (Alco) 1903 1952, 1951 ex-EP&SW
4-6-0 T-25 2274-2281 8 Cooke (Alco) 1901 1926-1934 -
4-6-0 T-26 2283-2300 18 Baldwin 1901 1934-1951 A Vauclain compound design.
4-6-0 T-27 2282 1 Baldwin 1900 1928 A Camelback design.
4-6-0 T-23 2301-2310 10 Baldwin 1903 1949-1954 -
4-6-0 T-28 2311-2352 42 Baldwin 1907-1911 1949-1957 -
4-6-0 T-31 2353-2362 10 Baldwin 1912 1953-1957 -
4-6-0 T-32 2363-2370 8 Brooks 1913 1953-1956 -
4-6-0 T-32 2371-2384 14 SP 1917-1920 1952-1957 -
4-6-0 T-57 2385 1 Baldwin 1906 - ex-Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad
4-6-0 T-58 2386 1 Baldwin 1907 - ex-Las Vegas & Tonopah
4-6-2 P-1 2400-2427 28 Baldwin 1904-1907 1934-1954 Nine examples were later rebuilt as Class P-4.
4-6-2 P-3 2428-2437 10 Baldwin 1911 1947-1954 -
4-6-2 P-5 2438-2452 15 Baldwin 1912 1947-1953 -
4-6-2 P-6 2453-2458 6 Brooks (Alco) 1913 1955-1957 -
4-6-2 P-3 2459, 2460 2 SP 1917, 1918 1952, 1948 -
4-6-2 P-8 2461-2475 15 Baldwin 1921 1953-1958 -
4-6-2 P-7 2476-2477 2 Lima 1917 1958 ex-Arizona Eastern Railroad
4-6-2 P-10 2478-2491 14 Baldwin 1923-1924 1954-1958 -
4-4-2 A-1 3000-3015 16 Baldwin 1902 1922-1925 A Vauclain compound design.
4-4-2 A-6 3000-3003 4 SP 1927-1928 1948-1952 Rebuilt from Class A-3.
4-4-2 A-2 3016-3024 9 Baldwin 1903 1915-1918 A Vauclain compound design equipped with a Vanderbilt boiler.
4-4-2 A-3 3025-3071 47 Schenectady (Alco), Baldwin, Brooks (Alco) 1904-1908 1932-1952 -
4-4-2 A-5 3072-3074 3 Baldwin 1911 1935 -
4-6-2 P-11 3100-3109 10 Baldwin 1907 1939-1950 ex-EP&SW
4-6-2 P-12 3120-3129 10 Brooks (Alco) 1917 1947-1953 -
4-8-2 Mt-1 4300-4327 28 Schenectady (Alco) 1923-1924 1952-1957 -
4-8-2 Mt-2 4385-4390 6 Brooks (Alco) 1924 1951, 1953 -
4-8-2 Mt-3 4328-4345 18 SP 1925-1926 1953-1958 -
4-8-2 Mt-4 4346-4366 21 SP 1926-1929 1953-1958 -
4-8-2 Mt-5 4367-4376 10 SP 1929-1930 1953-1958 -
4-8-4 GS-1 4400-4409 10 Baldwin 1930 1954-1957 -
4-8-4 GS-2 4410-4415 6 Lima 1936 1954-1958 -
4-8-4 GS-3 4416-4424 9 Lima 1937 1954-1958 -
4-8-4 GS-4 4430-4457 28 Lima 1941-1942 1956-1958 -
4-8-4 GS-5 4458-4459 2 Lima 1942 1958, 1956 Equipped with roller bearings.
4-8-4 GS-6 4460-4469 10 Lima 1943 1954-1958 -
4-8-4 GS-7 4475-4481 7 Baldwin 1930 1955-1957 ex-SSW
4-8-4 GS-8 4485-4488 4 SSW 1937, 1942 1956, 1958 -
30002884510098u81045837x98.jpgOnly a year old, Southern Pacific 2-8-8-4 #3800 (AC-9) steams westbound with a 70-car manifest outside of Tucumcari, New Mexico on May 11, 1940. Richard Kindig photo.

Articulated Designs

Wheel Arrangement Class Road Number(s) Quantity Builder(s) Completion Date Retirement Date Notes
2-8-8-4 AC-9 3800-3811 12 Lima 1939 1953-1956 A standard Yellowstone design.
4-6-6-2 ("Cab Forward") MM-2 3900-3911 12 Baldwin 1911 1946-1948 Originally built as 2-6-6-2s.
2-6-6-2 MM-3 3930-3931 2 Schenectady (Alco) 1920 1954, 1951 ex-Verde Tunnel & Smelter Railroad Company
2-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") MC-1 4000-4001 2 Baldwin 1909 1948-1949 Later rebuilt as Class AC-1.
2-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") MC-2 4002-4016 15 Baldwin 1909 1935-1949 Later rebuilt as Class AC-1.
2-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") MC-4 4017-4028 12 Baldwin 1911 1935-1948 Later rebuilt as Class AC-2.
2-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") MC-6 4029-4048 20 Baldwin 1912-1913 1936-1949 Later rebuilt as Class AC-3.
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-4 4100-4109 10 Baldwin 1929 1953-1955 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-5 4110-4125 16 Baldwin 1929 1952-1955 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-6 4126-4150 25 Baldwin 1930 1953-1955 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-7 4151-4176 26 Baldwin 1937 1954-1958 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-8 4177-4204 28 Baldwin 1939 1954-1958 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-10 4205-4244 40 Baldwin 1942 1955-1958 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-11 4245-4274 30 Baldwin 1942-1943 1954-1958 -
4-8-8-2 ("Cab Forward") AC-12 4275-4294 20 Baldwin 1943-1944 1955-1958 -

Southern Pacific PA-1 #6012 (built as #6008-C) is paused at Sacramento, California with train #27, the westbound "San Francisco Overland," in 1957. Harold Elmore photo. Author's collection.

Rio Grande Industries Takeover

Despite this setback, the SP did enjoy one bright spot that decade; in 1980 it acquired the bankrupt Rock Island's Golden State Route from Tucumcari to St. Louis, via Kansas City, operated by subsidiary Cotton Belt. 

A few years later Southern Pacific finally found a partner when Rio Grande Industries, parent to the Denver & Rio Grande Western (Rio Grande) purchased the railroad in 1988. 

Interestingly, in a nearly unheard of decision, Rio Grande elected to use the much more prominent Southern Pacific name instead of its own.  Combined, the two railroads formed a 17,340 mile system. 

A mere seven years later, in 1995, Union Pacific announced it would acquire the entire Southern Pacific as a counter-move to the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe merger. 

The union was approved by the new Surface Transportation Board (successor to the Interstate Commerce Commission) and a much larger Union Pacific came to be on September 11, 1996. 

SP was so large that UP encountered a logistical nightmare that nearly resulted in total gridlock as yards clogged, transit times greatly increased, and operating ratios soared.  

Unlike the Penn Central disaster, though, UP managed to work out the kinks.  Today, Southern Pacific's legacy lives on in its main lines and Amtrak's operation of its former passenger services.

Union Pacific also paid homage to several predecessors in 2005, including SP, by painting one of its new EMD SD70ACe locomotives into a version of the railroad’s famous Daylight passenger livery; it was numbered 1996 in honor of the year the railroad joined UP's system.

More Reading

Golden State Route

Timetables (August, 1952)

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