This one's for Number 90

There's nothing finer, in my very biased opinion.  Thanks, Ed.

 

This will probably not make everyone happy, as these are not original Santa Fe units (Espee, I believe), but we are now in an age when reproduction paint schemes are applied to what existing first generation locomotives are left.  The rednose "warbonnet" is recognizable to many who are not hard-core railroad enthusiasts but would pay for a train ride.  And, Santa Fe was the dominant railroad presence in Galveston, where these units will reside.

 

I borrowed out in engine service down at Galveston in 1971, and it was quite a change from the Coast Lines main line.  The Road Foreman told me to keep my doors locked and windows rolled up as I drove to and from the yard, because of the neighborhood.  When I drove up for the first time, I saw that the yard office was up on pilings, a sure sign that there were things they hadn't told me.  Several fellows were standing around the turntable pit, looking down at a large western diamondback rattlesnake in the pit.  I marked up on the extra board and caught a night switcher with GP7 2670.  The huge mosquitoes swarmed around me, and, by the next morning, I had bumps and welts everywhere they could bite.

 

The Texas Chief was still using rednose F-units and running 90 MPH with semaphore ABS and ATS in south Texas then, and freight trains were pulled by blue F7's, GP7's and 9's, and the few CF7's then existing, including several with the crank-operated cab side window.  Up at Bellville (the next crew change point) the turntable did not have a motor, but was turned by a 1956 Ford pickup truck and a rope.    

 

You got me thinkin' 'bout the old days, Ed.

The photo made me think about the old days, too Tom. I still have my Lionel

AA's my mom got me the first year the magne traction locos came out, and

later I added the B unit, which I still have. My memories, however, are not as good as yours. I just looked at the Santa Fe ads in the Life, Look, and Collers.. of those beauties hauling stainless across miles of desert!

 

 I did just miss seeing a set of Santa Fe F's, however. Turns out in about

1956 they went on a nation wide tour, and a train set ran up 17 mile grade here!

 

I guess these engines are ex Southern Pacific, I don't know if other roads

had the snow plow pilot, maybe the Rio Grande.

 

Ed

Those are beautiful, even if they are not original.  That paint scheme is truely timeless.  Speaking of plows I remember some UP diesels had some massive plows on the front as seen here....I believe F3's

 

http://donstrack.smugmug.com/UtahRails/Union-Pacific-Company-Photos/UP-Diesel-Locomotives/13087604_v3QNxD#!i=948596439&k=c6FvXd4&lb=1&s=A

 

and here...

 

http://donstrack.smugmug.com/UtahRails/Union-Pacific-Company-Photos/UP-Diesel-Locomotives/13087604_v3QNxD#!i=948597710&k=RggRWXf&lb=1&s=A

 

http://donstrack.smugmug.com/UtahRails/Union-Pacific-Company-Photos/UP-Diesel-Locomotives/13087604_v3QNxD#!i=948594886&k=GvTCZrT&lb=1&s=L

The UP boys called those full plows "blizzard bibs."

I could see why...wow.

Beautiful!  Wish they could get rid of the ditch lights.

You must have just missed the showcase tour of the then-brand new Hi-Level El Capitan.  I don't know much about the tour, but Santa Fe did do one to show off the new equipment, and it apparently took that route.  It was pretty impressive equipment, with southwestern interior colors, kachinas on the bulkheads, and ATSF's unique turquoise upholstery with Indian designs woven into the fabric.  And the exterior . . . well, I will resist bragging.  (I hear a chorus of, "Please do, Tom!" )

 

As to the pilot on this diesel, Great Northern used similar pilots, but I believe D&RGW just used standard EMD pilots, except on their last F9 (5776) that pulled the passenger train.  That one had a shop-made pilot for reasons unclear to me.

Chris, Why the port holes in the B units, in your pics? Who was in there toook out?

Thanks!

 

Dang!  Wrong #90....was hoping this thread was about the Baldwin Decapod that

hauled sugar beets on the Great Western, and now hauls tourists on the Strasburg!

Al I believe all the F3 B units had them.