1. Home
 ›
2. Fallen Flags
 ›
3. Southern Pacific
 ›
4. Timetables (1952)

Southern Pacific Timetables (1952)

Published: February 14, 2024

By: Adam Burns

Included below is the Southern Pacific's complete public timetable from the 1952 "Official Guide Of The Railways."

Southern Pacific, also referred to as The Southern Pacific Company and also as Southern Pacific Railroad, ranks among the most influential and significant railroads in American history.

Known for its comprehensive network crisscrossing the Western United States, Southern Pacific was the epitome of reliability and innovation during its operational years of 1865 - 1996.

Timetables (August, 1952)

Originally founded in San Francisco, California, in 1865, Southern Pacific was initially a small regional railroad, stuttering at a length of 24 miles. As times changed, so did this tiny railroad. The catalyst for expansion was the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, which provided the impetus for the formation of the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads.

In 1869, Southern Pacific played a significant role in creating the transcontinental railroad. Working diligently alongside Central Pacific, it forged ahead - into Nevada, Arizona, and onwards to Texas and Louisiana. By 1883, the famous "Sunset Route" from New Orleans to California was fully operational, making Southern Pacific one of the few railroads successfully providing coast-to-coast service.

The early 20th century saw a dramatic acceleration in Southern Pacific's growth and development, notably under the leadership of E. H. Harriman. He embarked on a program of extensive track modernization, double-tracking key mainlines, and improving structures and stations. At its peak, this behemoth of a railroad controlled 15,000 miles of track covering 10 states.

Over time, Southern Pacific became renowned for its technological innovations, particularly its hand in pioneering diesel-era technology in the 1950s. Its fleet of streamlined 'Daylight' series passenger trains also carved an indelible reputation for unmatched comfort and luxury.

However, fortunes waned in the post-World War II era. The growth of highways and the aviation industry saw a decline in both passenger and freight revenues, leaving Southern Pacific facing financial struggles. Despite continuing to be a significant player in the freight industry, notably in intermodal services, Southern Pacific found it increasingly difficult to weather the economic downturn.

The 1970s and 1980s saw further crises hit the ailing giant. In spite of forming alliances to counter its losses, including the ill-fated proposed merger with the Santa Fe Railway, by the 1990s, Southern Pacific had maneuvered itself into a financial corner from which there seemed to be no escape.

Immortalized in Richard Steinheimer's photographs and Lucius Beebe's numerous books, Southern Pacific resisted the inevitable until 1996 when Union Pacific miraculously staged a successful takeover.

Though this merger signaled the end of Southern Pacific as a standalone company, it also ensured the continuance of the Southern Pacific name as it was assimilated into the vast Union Pacific system.

Today, despite the Southern Pacific officially no longer being in operation, its spirit lives on. It is remembered for its famous livery of 'Daylight' orange, red, and black, as well as the silver and red 'Bloody Nose' paint scheme introduced in the late 1950s - both of which are replicated on 'Heritage' locomotives within Union Pacific's current fleet.

When the chronicles of American railroad history are written, Southern Pacific's contributions will always be a key fixture. It has been the epitome of engineering prowess, innovation, and resilience.

Its vast network, pioneering diesel technology, stunning 'Daylight' trains, and ultimately, its struggle to survive amidst growing competition, give the Southern Pacific an unforgettable and esteemed place in the annals of railroad history.