Hi I am wondering if, in the age of the "E" units, the SP and Rock Island locos ran all the way between LA and Chicago, or if each RR's locos only ran to Tucumcari, detached, and the other RR's locos took over for the rest of the journey. Also if the loco consists were all from the same RR or if mixed power consists operated.
The same question arises about freight operations over the route in the days of SP "Black Widow" F-units.
I'r be grateful for any info,
Best Regards,
Bill.
It would appear that the locomotives were changed at Tucumcari...
http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/gs50.htm
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
The Rock Island and Southern Pacific didn't start pooling engines (and cabooses on freight trains) until the late 1960s. 1967 i think. Passenger trains were first, then freights a few months later.
Jeff
I have a question. The SP Golden State was an E7 AB configuration. In looking at Google Maps at Tucumcari I don’t see any Wye or Turntable to reverse the “A” unit. Looking at Google maps I can’t see were either could have been in Tucumcari in the late 40s and early 50s.Also the SP Freight was pulled by articulated AC-9s and don’t see how they could have been turned around.I’m a SP nut and just wondering. Could they have gone as far as the Kansas City yard to change directions?I watched both the Golden State and Steam AC-9s coming and going north in El Paso in the early 50s.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I think SP had a balloon (or loop) track for turning equipment.
http://www.wx4.org/to/foam/sp/southwest/carrizozo_sub/tucumcari.html
A closer look at Tucumcari Google Map and I could see where the turntable/roundhouse was as well as the balloon loop for turning the giant articulateds.Thanks Jeff.I was lucky enough to ride in the cab of SP 3807 (AC-9) from Alamogordo New Mexico to El Paso TX in 1951 on its return trip from Tucumcari, a birthday present (my 14th) from our next door neighbor (the SP Yard Super). I rode in the cab of 4287 (Cab Forward) from El Paso to Alamogordo, a sub for an AC-9 northbound.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
RR_MelI was lucky enough to ride in the cab of SP 3807 (AC-9) from Alamogordo New Mexico to El Paso TX in 1951 on its return trip from Tucumcari...
Searching my memory banks I don't recall ever seeing any SP locos on that line prior to the late 60s, but then I was pretty young in the 50s and probably wouldn't have known SP units if I did see them. However, by 1970, multi unit SP locos were common on the line. I remember seeing SD45s and U-boats regularly heading fruit reefers going East.
When Rock Island capitulated in late 70s, the SSW quickly acquired the line.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Overmod RR_Mel I was lucky enough to ride in the cab of SP 3807 (AC-9) from Alamogordo New Mexico to El Paso TX in 1951 on its return trip from Tucumcari... How much of the trip detail, and your thoughts and emotions, can you remember? Tell! Tell! Please!
RR_Mel I was lucky enough to ride in the cab of SP 3807 (AC-9) from Alamogordo New Mexico to El Paso TX in 1951 on its return trip from Tucumcari...
How much of the trip detail, and your thoughts and emotions, can you remember? Tell! Tell! Please!
OvermodIt was gift for my 14th birthday but at 83 it still seems like was just yesterday. My birthday is in late July and it was hot, well into triple digits (low humidity, HA!). The ride north in the Cab Forward was the better of the two. The crew had the air conditioning on full blast (all windows open and 50 MPH), didn’t help much. I can still taste the desert flies in my mouth, the fireman warned me to not get to close to the windows.There is a slight grade going north out of El Paso, TX 3700’ and Alamogordo, NM is 4300’ in 85 miles. Steepest part is at Orogrande NM (4200’) then almost level into Alamogordo.The engineer let me sit in his chair and run the huge locomotive for a bit (with his very close supervision). The return trip in the AC-9 was a thrill but it wasn’t as exciting as the Cab Forward, can’t see much other than the inside of the locomotive, for 85 miles. I got to see in the firebox as the oil was injected, super hot.I could feel the power of the locomotives as they started moving, I could feel the wheels slip and grab. Both runs had close to 90 freight cars, I could feel the load both starting and stopping. Still my best ever birthday present!!!! Thrill of a lifetime at 14. I must add, I have an HO Cab Forward numbered 4287 and a AC-9 numbered 3807 on my layout. The SP articulateds are my favorite locomotives. I have a total of 17 of them from an MC-1 to AC-12s.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
up831 Searching my memory banks I don't recall ever seeing any SP locos on that line prior to the late 60s, but then I was pretty young in the 50s and probably wouldn't have known SP units if I did see them. However, by 1970, multi unit SP locos were common on the line. I remember seeing SD45s and U-boats regularly heading fruit reefers going East. When Rock Island capitulated in late 70s, the SSW quickly acquired the line.
The RI and SP started pooling engines on passenger trains in early 1967. (I found the RI employee magazine that had the item.) Engines on freight trains (and cabooses) a few months later.
Passenger engines worked through between Chicago and Los Angeles. Freight engines generally worked between El Paso and Kansas City. RI power could be found beyond El Paso, SP power could be found beyond KC.
The UP-RI merger plan was once implemented, all RI lines west of KC to Santa Rosa NM (The RI owned the trackage between Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. It was leased to the SP.) and south of Herington KS was to be sold to the SP. Effectively the entire southern half of the RI.
When the merger fell through, the RI and SP reached an agreement for the SP to purchase St Louis to Kansas City to Santa Rosa. The SP's subsidiary SSW was the one who took title. Reasons that I've heard was SSW wasn't required (at the time) to solicit traffic via the Ogden gateway. And the SSW and RI used the same rule book, the Uniform Code of Operating Rules. I have SSW train orders issued after the take over. Change the railroad name on the forms, and they looked just like RI orders I have in my collection.
As I recall some Rock Island B unit E engines had a cab and controls in one end. I believe it was a train to Denver that had a section that went to Pueblo that would use the b unit and the lead engine would take the train to Denver. On eastbound trains they would be reunited for the run to Chicago.
ndbprrAs I recall some Rock Island B unit E engines had a cab and controls in one end.
And the pigeons are winning!
CRIP_AB6 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed