Category: Diesel Prototypes

Diesel Modeling Diesel Prototypes Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific’s Bicentennial Fleet

By Arved.admin | by Arved.admin

The Southern Pacific painted 3 locomotives to help celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. As shown above, they are GP40P-2 3197, Cotton Belt (SSW) SD45T-2 9389, and U25BE 6800. These three locomotives roamed the Southern Pacific system for several years. The GP40P-2 was built for San Francisco-San Jose Peninsula Commute service, and so was seen by commuters on a daily basis. Cotton Belt 9389 was used to assist Southern Pacific’s GS-4 as it toured the Southern Pacific…

Continue reading

Diesel Prototypes Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific SD7 Part 2

By Arved.admin | by Arved.admin

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…

Continue reading

Diesel Modeling Diesel Prototypes Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific SD7 Part 1

By Arved Grass | by Arved Grass

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…

Continue reading