Diesel Prototypes Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific SD7 Part 2

The Electromotive Division (EMD) of General Motors (GM) Engineering Project Number 15990 completed the first model SD7 locomotive on 3, May 1951. This locomotive was painted in a vibrant EMD designed paint scheme, numbered (EMDX) 990, and went on a demonstration tour. The Southern Pacific purchased this locomotive on 10. October 1952 (order P-1020) and was rebuilt by EMD (rebuild order 7512). It left EMD the next day after an extensive overhaul. Southern Pacific put…

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Diesel Modeling Diesel Prototypes Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific SD7 Part 1

The Prototype After a successful demonstration, the Southern Pacific ordered 15 model SD7 locomotives from the Electromotive Division (EMD) of General Motors (GM) on 4. April 1952. These featured a single 1,200 gal. fuel tank, Mars dual sealed beam headlights, and dynamic brakes. As delivered, these units were painted in the Road Switcher variation of what’s become known as the “Tiger Stripe” paint scheme. These were later repainted in “Black Widow” and had Mars signal…

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