SP Commute GP9 3003

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On an unknown date, in September 1972, Southern Pacific train 118 powered by commute GP9 3003 raced past a group of Train Masters that were waiting out the weekend in San Jose, CA.
SP 3003 was an EMD GP9, SP Class EP418-2. Reportedly it was built in 1954 as SP 5603, SP Class DF-603, serial number 19564. It became SP 3003, SP Class EP418-2 in the 1965 renumbering. In 1975 it was rebuilt becoming GP-9R 3186, SP Class EP418E-1. In 1995 it was retired and in 1996 it was sold to Progress Rail. In 2000 it became Western Rail (WRIX) 3186 rebuilt with a chopped nose. In 2006 it was resold to Kalama Export Co., in Kalama, WA. Current status not known.
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Kodachrome,
Slide 2.5-599, Scan 2008.2.17.1.5-ph

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WP eastbound at Keddie

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One of my early photos. Western Pacific (WP) 3522 and two WP friends led an ABBA set of Union Pacific locomotives, one UP GP30 two UP GP9Bs and a UP GP35 eastbound over Keddie Wye in August 1971.
WP 3522 was an EMD GP40. Reportedly: it was built in 1970, serial number 36783. Other reporting marks and numbers said to be associated with this include: UP 671 (assigned but never applied), CMNW 3005, PRLX 3005, CMNW 3522, BRC 236, PRLX 5610. Current status not known.
Please do not edit, crop, "correct" or "improve" these photos without asking me first.
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Unknown 35 mm film camera:
Slide 2.5-3538, Scan 2008.3.24.3.3-ph

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HO SP 2150 in Mission Bay

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On Saturday, January 3, 2026, my Bowser HO model of Southern Pacific (SP) 2150 was working in "Mission Bay Yard" at the California Central Model Railroad Club (CCMRC) in the historic Agnew depot in Santa Clara, CA.
The real SP 2150 was an MU equipped Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton (BLH) S-12. Reportedly: it was built in 1953 as SP 1543 Class DS-118, serial number 75918. In 1965 it was renumbered to SP 2150 SP Class B412-4. The disposition of this locomotive is reported as, Retired 1974 sold to Chrome Crankshaft. Resold to Kerr-McGee 100, renumbered to 844. Donated 1990 to Orange Empire Railway Museum.
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Apple iPhone 13 Max,
Image: 2026.1.4.3.26-ph

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ACE Saturday Train

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On Saturday, January 3, 2026, Altamont Corridor Express (ACEX) 3103 led a special southbound move of power and ACEX passenger cars past the California Central Model Railroad Club (CCMRC) in the historic Agnew depot in Santa Clara, CA.
ACEX 3103, is an EMD/MPI F40PH-3C. Reportedly it was built by EMD as an F40PH this locomotive was rebuilt by MPI a an F40PH-3C with a Cummins generator.
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Apple iPhone 13 Max,
Image: 2026.1.4.3.6-ph

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SP 2150 on the CCMRC

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On Saturday, January 3, 2026, my Bowser HO model of Southern Pacific (SP) 2150 is approaching the "Salmonella" fishery at the California Central Model Railroad Club (CCMRC) in the historic Agnew depot in Santa Clara, CA.
The real SP 2150 was an MU equipped Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton (BLH) S-12. Reportedly: it was built in 1953 as SP 1543 Class DS-118, serial number 75918. In 1965 it was renumbered to SP 2150 SP Class B412-4. The disposition of this locomotive is reported as, Retired 1974 sold to Chrome Crankshaft. Resold to Kerr-McGee 100, renumbered to 844. Donated 1990 to Orange Empire Railway Museum.
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Apple iPhone 13 Max,
Image: 2026.1.4.3.43-ph

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SP 2150 in LA

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"Frank's Office" was written in chalk over the door of Southern Pacific (SP) 2150. The Baldwin S12 was captured on December 28, 1973, in Taylor Yard, Los Angeles, California.

On trainorders (TO), October 15, 2010, "rehunn" said, "2150, 2154 and 2157 were the "J" yard switchers right up to the end of the use of the Baldwins.

Years ago, "miralomarail" said, "During the 90's we had a former S.P. employee working at Amtrak in LA, Ca. His name was Frank, and had heard about "His Office "

"OPRRMS" said, "Possibly refers to Frank Watkins, who was the engineer on 7:59 AM yard job at River Station (a.k.a., the Links) during the early Seventies. The S-12s were quite common at that yard. Frank was a very nice gentleman and well-liked by everyone."

"Charlie" said on TO in April 2021: 

Frank Watkins was indeed a gentleman. I fired for him for several weeks in the early 70's.

The Frank that is referenced in "Frank's Office" was a SP yardmaster who, as the story goes, would drive his own truck on various 'errands' while on duty and was caught filling its tank and paying with a SP credit card. 

Forever-after he was known as "Gas Tank Frank" and the 'brothers' delighted in chalking those words where ever a palette could be found; such as bridge abutments, yard office urinals, anywhere it would be seen by fellow 'rails'.

I did enjoy the post, Steve.

Charlie

SP 2150 was an MU equipped Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton (BLH) S-12. Reportedly: it was built in 1953 as SP 1543 Class DS-118, serial number 75918. In 1965 it was renumbered to SP 2150 SP Class B412-4. The disposition of this locomotive is reported as, Retired 1974 sold to Chrome Crankshaft. Resold to Kerr-McGee 100, renumbered to 844. Donated 1990 to Orange Empire Railway Museum.

Please do not edit, crop, "correct" or "improve" this photo without asking me first.
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Analog Image, Ektachrome Slide 2.5-360, Scan 2010.10.12.1.6-ph

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SP MT-1 4314 in Sacramento, CA

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The notes with the collection say: on Saturday, October 14, 1939, Southern Pacific (SP) 4314 was in Sacramento, CA. Photographer most likely Bill Darrough, from the Darrough Collection. Since negatives were extensively traded it's possible Bill was not the photographer. Photos from this collection have been shared with permission from Jack Darrough, obtained before he died.
SP 4314 was an ALCo 4-8-2, SP Class MT-1. Reportedly: SP MT-1 4-8-2 4314 was built by ALCo in 1924, builders number 65384. It was vacated and scrapped in 1953.
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Negative 1.1.46.29.1, Scan 2018.8.21.1.1-ph 

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