SOUTHERN PACIFIC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN PACIFIC WHEN: Find it at www.trainmovies.com
This incredible film features the efforts of 10 contributors who read like a who's who of railroad photographers, filmmakers and historians. If it was Southern Pacific it is covered in this film. Plenty of SD-9's, Gp-9's, clean SD-45's and all of the oddball power that made the SP such a fascinating and interesting railroad. Combine this action with all of the locations that made SP operations so difficult on a day to day basis. The rugged Siskiyou Mountains and there lofty 3.6% grades are a highlight as SP impressively moves 80 car lumber drags up to the summit. Shots from in the cab, lineside and on the train help to bring every angle to life. Also featured is a lengthy journey to the NWP Railroad when they were in their prime with matched sets of SD-9's and even mid-train helpers!!! Plenty of quarter century old vintage views of the SD-9's shoving trains over Ridge Summit and then descending in brake-shoe smoke into the Redwood Valley. These were some of SP's finest lumber hauling moments, witness huge trains and even a trip to the saw mill in Scotia as huge tree trunks are cut into fine clean lumber loads.

[@royzug2847]

These historical videos are such a treat to watch. Thanks for making them available.

[@jackkreighbaum783]

In 1956 or '57, as a member of the California Cadet Corp, rifle team, I went by bus from Blythe to LA and then to Sacramento on a sleeper (probably SP) and returned. I do remember it was curtained bunks, not bedrooms.

[@MrMarshmallow26]

I absolutely love the GP9s. Amazing film!

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Always good stuff . . . . thank you.

[@mysticrailroad]

outstanding film! love those torpedo geeps :)

[@TigerDominic-uh1dv]

Great 👍 Video 😊

[@Sacto1654]

Interestingly, we will start to see the end of Caltrain's diesel-electric operations with F40PH and M36PH locomotives between San Jose and San Francisco starting in September 2024, just like the phaseout of the old SP fleet shown in this video in 1985. Caltrain will likely retain the F40PH-2C and M36PH locomotives for extended Caltrain service from San Jose to Gilroy (and beyond), or Caltrain may even buy new Siemens SC-44 Charger units to replace the older locomotives.

[@srrrb5953]

Hope that'll be the next move.
Question, is chargers are Diesel electric or dual mode? Or Mainly diesel electric with dual mode variant on the way?

[@MrMarshmallow26]

I feel like they'd probably just rebuild their old locomotives again if the plan is to eventually electrify San Jose to Gilroy just so they aren't using the Chargers for only a few years, just for more EMUs to replace them. It's odd that the entire line isn't being electrified, especially since CAHSR will share track with CalTrain between San Jose and Gilroy, unless that's due to complications or part of a future phase of the electrification project. I've seen some extension proposals though, so maybe buying Chargers is possible if they don't intend on electrifying the line further.

[@rayofsunshine098]

It seems like only the MP36 is being retained for gilroy service, and all F40s will most likely be sold for scrap or donated

[@rayofsunshine098]

@@MrMarshmallow26the track between San Jose and Gilroy is currently owned by UP, but when (if) CAHSR is built a new section parallel to the current will be made between San Jose and Gilroy that will obviously be electrified

[@rayofsunshine098]

(So no they won’t rebuild the locomotives, but they might sell them to another commuter railroad (let’s be honest it’s gonna be Metra)

[@paulcastillo1310]

I this dvd