What's your favorite SP Locomotive?

[Mankind]

Well, lets see if we can get a little activity on this forum! I figured I'd throw out a question any Espee fan could answer, namely, what's your favorite Espee engine, steam and/or diesel, and any special reasons why? As far as diesels go, I can't really make up my mind - there are so many cool SP models out there! I guess the tunnel motor, in either 40T-2 or 45T-2 versions, would get the top spot...but I also have a soft spot for one of SP's most overlooked, underappreciated models: the SW1500. Those little guys were found at just about every major yard and working just about every local, and they sounded great under load! As for steam, I'll admit to not being a huge steam follower, but one type of engine sticks in my mind, the AC-9 class. There's just a big, powerful look to them, and I always thought articulateds looked neat.

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Have A Nice Day!

[Colonel]

Well I'd have to say I also like the tunnel motors and anxiously await an N scale model.
good luck with the forum Paul.

regards

Paul

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Paul Cassar-# Member number 50
SPAD Investigator #1
ICQ 61198217
http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000

[caseyboy94@aol.com]

gp-9 with full light package

[Ben]

http://www.trainboard.com/cool.gif Funnily enough I agree with the choices of both Mankind and the Colonel; I would simply love there to be a Kato or Atlas SP or RG tunnel motor available.

I am old enough to love steam as much as if not more than diesels (as far as USA is concerned, that is; in the UK my interest is about 90 percent steam, 10 percent diesel/electric/anything else!).

I think I like the ordinary, utilitarian, types of steam loco best, rather than the primadonna types that pulled the varnish; give me a Mike or Santa Fe pulling a mixed freight any day.

Ben

[Alan]

<font color="3333cc">TUNNEL MOTOR. Please Kato/Atlas do some in N Scale http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif</font>

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Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.ac-models.com (http://www.ac-models.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/andersleywestern/)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)

[This message has been edited by Alan (edited 30 September 2000).]

[ncng]

Favorite diesels are EMD F units in Black Widow paint. There is just something about them that I love.

In steam any of the AC cab forwards after they lost the flat face.

[Maxwell Plant]

TUNNELS AND F-BLACKWIDOWS! http://www.trainboard.com/cool.gif The SP-SSW had our mainline through Lincoln, IL. for a short time before the "BORG" ate them up. http://www.trainboard.com/frown.gif We saw plenty of Tunnel-motors in Speed Lettering. They are cool! Just last week, I saw, still in SP colors, an SDP-40(-2?) roll through town, I FREEKED! http://www.trainboard.com/eek.gif I've never seen one except for pictures. It was on the point of one of the locals, pleanty of power to haul the coil-steel to Alton, IL.

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Brent Tidaback, Member #234
BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot!
"Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!"
The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF

[Kevin Stevens]

The unique SP locomotives are the obvious choices. For diesels it would be the Tunnel Motors, while for steam I would go with the Cab Forwards (called back-up mallets by many old rails).

My honorable mention goes to the SD9's, affectionately called "Cadallacs" by the crews that worked on them. They were workhorses that outlasted some locomotives built 20 years later. EMD's First generation equivalent of the SD40-2. Utilitarian, dependable and economical.

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Kevin Stevens
www.trainweb.org/KernJunction (http://www.trainweb.org/KernJunction)

[tunnel88]

I think when one thinks of the SP, images of Tunnel Motors always come to mind first be it SD45T-2s or SD40T-2s...

Regarding those SD9s, BNs are still in active service... http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif

[watash]

Naw! The first thought that comes to my mind is racing across southwestern Kansas going close to seventy beside an AC-9 Stream Lined articulated pulling 88 cars west bound for Pueblo, Colo. It was one of the 12 made for prairie use with the cab in the usual place, the other engines were made with the cab in front, so were 4-8-8-2's . Now that was an engine so ugly, it was just beautiful!! It sorta reminds me of a blind date I once had.

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Watash

[This message has been edited by watash (edited 02 October 2000).]

[LCSO_927]

If we're talking our favorites based on looks, I vote for SD45 (which are actually SD40Ms) in Speed Lettering. Something about the flare in the hood looks so cool. And I love the SW1500 (but not in Speed Lettering) except I've always thought the cab end should be the front and the hood end should be the rear. And SD9s, I remember them working all of the branch lines here in the great state of Oregon before WPRR and CORP took over. If only I'd have been born ten or fifteen years earlier, I could have gotten more pictures of Espee's finest years.

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Mike Smith lcso_927@hotmail.com
Eugene, Oregon

LCSO's RailPics (http://www.trainweb.org/railpics) ~ License and registration please... (http://www.angelfire.com/or/LCSO927)
"She's not really gone if her memory lives on in our hearts."
http://ic.yimg.com/c/a021e733/h/tn_1dae3f/grave.jpg Southern Pacific 1865-1996

[Mankind]

Ahhhh, yes, how could I forget the SD45! When I started railfanning Espee in the early nineties, the SD45R was everywhere, on trains ranging in priority from doublestacks to lowly haulers. I like the SD40M-2's with the SD45 carbody too, but IMHO, the straight SD45R's looked and sounded the best! http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif Gotta agree, they look nice in speed lettering. Here's one of my favorite shots I've ever taken of one; http://espee.railfan.net/jpgs/paul_ellis/paul_ellis_sp-sd45r-7400.jpg I shot this unit a few years back on one of my first outings with a camera, at Espee's Dolores Yard in Long Beach, one of my favorite fanning spots. She looks nice speed lettered; it's too bad Espee pulled the light packages on almost all of the units that got speed lettering. http://www.trainboard.com/frown.gif At least it managed to keep its roof-mounted bell. http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

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Have A Nice Day!

[This message has been edited by Mankind (edited 03 October 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Mankind (edited 03 October 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Mankind (edited 03 October 2000).]

[LCSO_927]

Interesting numberboard setup they had on that one. I'm also a contributor to Mr. Percy's site. If you look in his directory of contributors you can find some of my pictures. The name is Mike Smith.

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Mike Smith lcso_927@hotmail.com
Eugene, Oregon

LCSO's RailPics (http://www.trainweb.org/railpics) ~ License and registration please... (http://www.angelfire.com/or/LCSO927)
"She's not really gone if her memory lives on in our hearts."
http://ic.yimg.com/c/a021e733/h/tn_1dae3f/grave.jpg Southern Pacific 1865-1996

[Mankind]

Nice pics, Mike. I especially like the shot of SP MP15AC 2734...another one of my favorite locomotive models! And yeah, SP 7400 had an interesting numberboard setup at the time I shot it...once, while at Dolores Yard in Long Beach a few years back, I saw an SSW GP60 with, no joke, a piece of cardboard with a number spray-painted on it for a numberboard! http://www.trainboard.com/eek.gif Only downside; I didn't have a camera yet! http://www.trainboard.com/mad.gif Certainly one of those interesting "you have to see it to believe it" moments. http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

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Have A Nice Day!

[BCAmtrak]

My favorite SP power is the EMD GP60s
I model the GP60s from Athaern Kits
I used the GP60s as backup power for my Amtrak Horizon and Superlinewr San Joaquin trains

[SSW9389]

Any Gray and Red Tunnel Motor will do!

[Gats]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by caseyboy94@aol.com:
gp-9 with full light package<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh yeah! Actually, any small Geep with a full light package. http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

Gary.

[CPRailfan]

How about this one. It's an experimental locomotive by MK.
http://www0.delphi.com/railroad/library/topic5_fre/fre_img_10/SP-1.jpg

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What's that?
A train horn?
Sorry, gotta go!

[Mankind]

Ah, the MK5000C! Interesting units...a friend who saw them in action said they sounded like "tractors on rails"...I guess the Cat prime movers will do that! It was interesting to see their introduction on the railroad...Espee had numerous problems with them, despite high hopes. I guess that, MK's own internal problems, and the dominance of EMD and GE in the high-horsepower locomotive market, meant the MK5000C didn't really stand much of a chance, although MK/Motive Power Industries seems to be doing better with their line of switchers. Anyone hear what happened to the SP and MK Demo MK5000C's? I thought I had heard some of them were being sent to work on a Canadian railroad? BC Rail, maybe?

Paul #3

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Have A Nice Day!

[This message has been edited by Mankind (edited 24 October 2000).]

[Greg Elems]

I think my favorite steam was the AC-11's, the non cab ahead mallets. As to the internal combustion, it would be the Fairbanks Morse Train Masters.

[espee2]

Let's see, F7 A-B-B-A consist in fresh Black Widow, SD9 in full light package also in Kodachrome, SD45 speed lettered, SD40-2t traditional lettering with lots of grime, and the not so popular Kraus-Maffei hydraulic was so ugly you had to love them, another rare bird was the MK-TE70-4S in Daylight "Popsicles" paint. Oops, almost forgot the 4449 Daylight and the Black non steamlned "War babies" 4-8-4.

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espee2

Railroading in Southern Oregon
www.tunnel13.com (http://www.tunnel13.com)¤
layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale (http://tunnel13.com/newberg.html)

[This message has been edited by espee2 (edited 12 November 2000).]

[TexChris]

--Anything going over Paisano Pass in west Texas--SD45's with a "Blue Streak" train--also have always admired the "Trainmasters".

[QTRAIN]

My favorite is the overworked, underprivilaged, underappreciated, primal, crude but HIGHLY effective SP SW1500 http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif. That has got to be the KEWLEST loco the Espee has ever owned http://www.trainboard.com/cool.gif. I guess because they sound like every nut & bolt is about to rattle loose on them http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif; as light power they scoot about the yards quickly and methodlically, however-- to me they look (and do) their best in pairs as one alone looks stupid; and three is just looks too crowded!! http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif. At any rate, they ARE the hardest working locos on the SP system, and to me, they should be respected as such.
.......Just my Opinion....
.......Thanx 4 Listenin'............Q

[Mankind]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by QTRAIN:
My favorite is the overworked, underprivilaged, underappreciated, primal, crude but HIGHLY effective SP SW1500 http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif. That has got to be the KEWLEST loco the Espee has ever owned http://www.trainboard.com/cool.gif. I guess because they sound like every nut & bolt is about to rattle loose on them http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif; as light power they scoot about the yards quickly and methodlically, however-- to me they look (and do) their best in pairs as one alone looks stupid; and three is just looks too crowded!! http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif. At any rate, they ARE the hardest working locos on the SP system, and to me, they should be respected as such.
.......Just my Opinion....
.......Thanx 4 Listenin'............Q <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

AMEN!! Welcome to Trainboard QTrain! The lowly "crud" has got to be one of my favs too...and you're right, they do work better in pairs! I've spent many a day at Dolores in Long Beach watching pairs of them scoot back and forth, pulling and kicking cuts of cars. There's nothing quite like the sound of a pair of them, hood doors rattling, white smoke belching, wheels slipping, as they're pulling or pushing a slightly-too-heavy cut of cars. It's a shame UP's been retiring them....bring back the Cruds!!! http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif




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http://www.trainboard.com/smiles/042.gif
Have A Nice Day!

[Telegrapher]

ncng
I am with you all the way

Dick

[BRubino]

My vote would be for the SD70Ms. There is just something that I like about these units.

BR

[fitz]

How 'bout some of these old varnish haulers? Great lines, nice engines.
http://www.pioneer.net/~fitzrr/2467.jpg

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http://www.pioneer.net/~fitzrr/
http://www.pioneer.net/~fitzrr/nyc1.gif
http://www.trainboard.com/smiles/096.gif Member No. 508

[Craig Martyn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BRubino:
My vote would be for the SD70Ms. There is just something that I like about these units.

BR<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to agree BRubino! Those SD70M's look damn good.

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Craig Martyn http://www.trainboard.com/smiles/100.gif

Best Looking Models Around
Custom detailing

AND N scale detail parts.

BLMA N Scale Detail Parts (http://users4.50megs.com/blma/)
BLMAinfo@aol.com

[Derek]

I'll have to agree with you all-- those durable little SW1500s and the tunnel motors. I grew up at the base of the Donner grade--little ways below Colfax--and those long lashups of big, noisy, dirty and grimy EMD units were just beautiful. Mostly UP wide-cab locos now--unfortuantely. I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the daylight engines yet-- the GS-2s and 4s, 4449 is one of the greatest things I've ever seen. I also love Espee's little snow fighting trains, Geeps outfitted with the rotating windows and icicle breaker bars, and the flangers and stuff. They're fun to model too..
Enough said.
Long live Espee!!!!
Derek

[SP 8299]

Welcome to Trainboard Derek, hope you enjoy it...we try to have a good time here. :D I think there is one thing we can all agree on...there are just too many cool Espee locomotives out there to just have one "favorite." I loved watching SW1500's switching cuts of cars and hustling locals, Dash 8's, SD45R's, SD40R's, and tunnelmotors working intermodal trains, and on and on... And I've started to get into SP steam, too...I've developed a liking for their AC-9 class. Just too much neat stuff!

Paul #3

[ 07 February 2001: Message edited by: Mankind ]

[watash]

Welcome aboard Derek, my favorite Southern Pacific engine is the AC-9 (2-8-8-4) Streamlined Articulated !

[virtual-bird]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by watash:
Welcome aboard Derek, my favorite Southern Pacific engine is the AC-9 (2-8-8-4) Streamlined Articulated !<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Watash..

Yes the steam, is hard to go past.. and in steam, the mighty Cabforward is hard to go past.. as for Diesel.. SW1500 in I think it was Kodak color(saw it on http://espee.railfan.net/), SD40-2, or the U30's catch my eye

Its a shame that Concor pulled the pin on the plans to build the Cab Forwards... :(

only in Brass at about $800us :eek: ($1600 aussie)... not in this lifetime!

[ 11 February 2001: Message edited by: virtual-bird ]

[Ironhorseman]

Living in the mountains of California, I never had the privilege of seeing a streamlined AC-9, but I can almost see it in my minds' eye .. but for ultimate beauty and eye appeal my vote goes to the GS4 Daylight. But it's hard to ignore the massive, heart pounding vision of the Cab-forward pulling a mile of cars up the Sierra grades, through tunnels and snowsheds! smile.gif
I have never been able to get too excited about diesel units. To me, they are boring to look at, and to operate (I do both). tongue.gif

[SPF]

I am not real familiar with SP steam, does anyone know where online I could see a pic of the streamlined articulated AC-9 mentioned earlier?

[fitz]

Welcome aboard, SPF. Now, we need to ask Watash where we can find a picture of the streamlined AC-9. If you want to see the 4449 or 2467, 2472, you can take a look at my site and look up Railfair 99, Recent railfan events, and other sites--Northwest Railfan events has some photos of 4449.
http://www.pioneer.net/~fitzrr/

[Dwightman]

There are several pictures of the AC-9's at the Denver Public Library's site in the Otto Perry collection. Here are direct links to the pics:
3802 (http://gowest.coalliance.org/cgi-bin/imager?00015644+OP-15644)
3802 (http://gowest.coalliance.org/cgi-bin/imager?00015645+OP-15645)
3805 (http://gowest.coalliance.org/cgi-bin/imager?00015646+OP-15646)
3809 (http://gowest.coalliance.org/cgi-bin/imager?00015647+OP-15647)
3809 (http://gowest.coalliance.org/cgi-bin/imager?00015648+OP-15648)
3811 (http://gowest.coalliance.org/cgi-bin/imager?00015649+OP-15649)

Dwight

[ 11 February 2001: Message edited by: Dwightman ]

[virtual-bird]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SPF:
I am not real familiar with SP steam, does anyone know where online I could see a pic of the streamlined articulated AC-9 mentioned earlier?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

SPF... welcome..

anything SP loco photo wanted, any scheme is at http://espee.railfan.net/

smile.gif

[SPF]

Thanks for all the help, especially Dwightman for the links to the pics. Hmm, very interesting locomotives, I don't remember seeing pics of those before. Were those around for a short time or have I just not been looking in the right places (I am mostly into diesels, so may not have looked at books that would show these types of locos :rolleyes: )?
Oh, I was given the link to espee.railfan.net by mankind, and it has been very helpful for information and modeling purposes, though the AC-9 was one of the few things they did not have pics of (as far I could tell.)

[Dwightman]

SPF,

Glad to help. Unfortunately, I don't think there is very much info about these locos. At least not that I've been able to turn up. You might try asking on the Espee list over at yahoo groups. They should be able to point you in the right direction for more info.

Dwight