Does anyone know what the consist was for train #2 that the lone SP&S E7 pulled? I know it pulled #1 too, but I don't have a F3 or a F7 unit to go with it. Also, if anyone knows of a manufacture (NOT IHC) that makes SP&S passenger cars (or maybe some correct GN, BN ones) in HO that are cheaper then a a locomotive? I have 3 correct heavyweight seat cars by Branchline that I'm almost certain (but I could be wrong) never got pulled by the E7.
I am not sure as to what specific year you are looking for but here is the consist as it would have appeared at the end of 1969. F3a 802 (I'm sure you could replace these units with the E-Unit) GP9 153 Baggage-Dorm 75 (All cars are streamlined) Mail-Baggage 32 "Geo B. Armstrong (ex-MKT) 56-Seat Coach 302 56-Seat Coach 305 56-Seat Coach 301 56-Seat Coach 304 64-Seat Coach 309 (ex-MKT) GN Dome Coach 1327 (In Big Sky Blue) (This and Inuya Pass are for GN Train #32 at Spokane) GN 6-5-2 Sleeper "Inuya Pass" (Also in BSB) Diner 405 "Columbia" 6-3 Lounge-Sleeper 600 "Mount Hood" NP Dome Coach 551 & NP 8-6-4 Sleeper 367 (For add-on/dropoff at Pasco, WA for NP Train #25/26) (This consist is a special holiday version with four extra coaches, so a any other time of year consist would be made by removing four of the coaches)
Awesome, thanks. I was looking at a few photos of it and it didn't look like to many of the cars wore SP&S colors. I'm not sure what era I'm shooting for with SP&S yet (or SP for that matter). I might time bash some of it since I have the 700 and a somewhat full Walthers (sans locomotives) EB set. I'm actually happy SP got to pull some of the Big Sky Blue cars because now I have a reason to get a few. BSB is one of my favorite paint schemes for cars. I believe that most (if not all) of these are streamline cars too? Thanks Joshua
Well I ordered the last of the BSB cars Walther has. I'll have to fudge it a little since they're out of domes, but I did get 2 BSB ACF 46 seat cars and the 73' baggage car. Looks like I caught the end since everything passenger related with BSB is Discontinued or Discontinued when sold out. One of my EB domes might have to sit in I guess. In the mean time I'll keep looking for the 56 seaters and the NP cars. Thanks again.
Well, the SP&S 750 arrived today. It's like a F-unit on steroids but looks and runs great. I'm still combing the market for cars so we'll see how that goes.
Just wondering, what are the little wings beside the exhausts? Are those spark arresters or wind blockers of some kind?
In the book by Charles and Dorothy Wood, there are pictures of SP&S 750 on the head of #1 and #2 between Portland and Spokane (page 42, 49,138) They also state that F3A 800-802 and F7A 803-806 handled other passenger traffic. There are pictures with the 800's on the lead of theses trains also, but the 750 was favored because of its ability to pull this train by its self. Also noted are the GP-9s 151 and 152 on the Oregon Electric,and RS-2's with steam generators in the consist. The pictures are a little grainy,and Im not able to see very well the passenger cars. But there are passenger cars with SP&S over the doorway in Empire Builder paint. SP&S 750 produced by Broadway Limited is my favorite locomotive on the layout. This was the first version in the as delivered paint, with sound. I read the fins were smoke deflectors used in later passenger service, which my model of this unit does not have.
I have Hobbysmith's current BLI special run in broad stripe. I've been using Ed Austin's Diesel book as a guide so far. SP&S did own a few of the cars on the EB itself like a dome car, but the entire consist was in the EB scheme. Even 750 was in EB until NP got their train running. It's just weird looking in Ed's book and seeing fins and no skirt on the 750 by the time it was in broad stripe.
SP&S historical society referenced GN Railway historical society reference page 227 (page 9 on the site) , 1955-1959 consist for the Empire Builder to Portland.
I saw that model that Hobby Smith released and thought thats a good representation of 750. Summer 1989 "the Northwest Own Railway" list the passenger cars owned by SP&S. #600... Pullman Sleeper 6-3 Buf-LNG 85' MT Hood to BN1205 Disp 3/3/70 plan p4163-6829 #601..Pullman Sleeper 6-3 Buf-Lng 85' Mt st Helens to BN 1169 disp 3/3/70 plan p4163-6829 #700 Pullman sleeper 4-8-4 85' Indian pass EB paint to Bn 1167 3/3/70 plan p4107-6828 #701 pullman sleeper 6-5-2 Wapinitia pass 85' EB paint to BN 1385 3/3/70 plan p4180-6877 #702 Pullman sleeper 7-3-1-4 Snake river 85' EB paint to Bn 1266 3/3/70 plan p4181A6889 #1332 coach 46 seat dome 85' EB paint to Bn 4612 3/3/70 Budd B9646-155 #406 Diner 46 seat 85' Willamette to Bn 1257 3/3/70 plan p7540-6768 Pullman Ex MKT 1100 #406 (2) Diner 36 seat 80' to 111 (2) 4/59 Ex Np1677 Pullman2860-4317 #366 Sleeper 8-6-1 (8-6-4) {NCL} Portland To Bn 1406 3-3-70 P4119-6781 #405 Diner parlor 32 (48 seat) 85' Columbia (1965)to Bn1256 3-3-70 Pullman P7599-6870 #300 coach 56 seat 85' {NCL}to NP 597 1954 EX Np 1285 B&S # 301,302,303,304,305 Coach 56 seat All to BN 3/3/70 Pullman p 7510-6868 ---301 toBN5671, 302 -BN 5672, 303 to BN 1045, 304 BN 5674, 305 to Bn 5675 #306 sleeper 4-4-4 dome 85' (NCL) to Bn 1440 3/3/70 Budd B9535-9669 #307 coach 58 seat 85' to BN 5801 3/3/70 Edward Burleson MKT P7537-6768 MKT 1200 bought in 65 #308 coach 58 seat 85' to Bn 5801 3/3/70 David G burnett MKt p7537-6768 MKT 1201 bought in 65 #309 coach 60 seat 85' to Bn 6108 3/3/70 Temple MKT p 7648-6965 MKT 1301 2/68 to SPS #350 (2) coach 48 seat 85' EB paint EX GN 1232 disp 6/55 pullman p 7628-6880 #350 (1) coach 48 seat 85' EB paint Ex GN 1135 disp 10/50 Pullman p 7496-6821 #272,273,274,275,276,277,278 coach first class 80' B&S 3/3/70 #270,271 coach first class 80' B&S 3/53 to X513(270), X514(271) #279, 280 coach 66 seat 80' AC to Bn 3/3/70 B&S #285 coach 84 seat 81' EX NP 1285 B&S to X 515 in 3/53 #558 cafe reserved seating coach to 279 in 8/51 B&S 170 on 5-31-31 #559 cafe reserved seating coach to 280 on 10/52 B&S 171 on 5-31-31 #171 coach 2nd class 865 80' blt 11/2/16 B&S to X505 12/5/51 #111 instruction car 77' blt 4/59 to BN B3 3/3/70 p2860-4317 (1) #99 bussiness car 80' blt 5/21/27 B&S 572 to BN {SFS}3/3/70 #90,91 baggage & dynamo 70' BN3/3/70 BLT 2/11/16 #91 to BN 976086 #76 baggage dormintory 85' p2410F4503 blt 5/66 Pullman "Rillito" #69 baggage 80' to Bn 3/3/70 blt 4/14/49 p2411D4624 TC 1054 #68 baggage 80' to Bn 3/3/70 {Gilmore} blt 2/14/48 #67 baggage 80' to BN 3/3/70 {Hedrick} blt 2/14/48 p2410F4525 TC 2018 #66 baggage 80' to Bn 3/3/70 {Bray} BN donated blt 2/14/48 p240H4647 #65 baggage 80' to Bn 3/3/70 distroyed by fire 1978 {Story} blt 2/14/48 p2411d4624 TC 1061 #60,61,62,63,64 baggage 80' to Bn 3/3/70 blt 2/14/48 #60 to BN976093 {kenosha},#61 to BN SFS 73 {Formosa}, #62 to BN 976094 {Glenshane}, #63 to BN SFS 73 {Edmore}, #64 to Bn {Sycamore} #58 mail storage 60' B&S 43 blt1956 to Bn3/3/70 #57 mail storage 80' to BN 3/3/70 blt 5/25/50 p2410-4319 Pullman TC 1431 {Sakana} #55,56 mail storage 80' to Bn 3/3/70 blt 2/25/50 p24104574 (55) TC1211, to BN 976137 {Caspar}, (56) TC 1317 p2410-3881 to Bn 976134{Gratwick} #53,54 baggage 70' /78' one door blt 6/28/46 --#53 B&S 109 to x 508 4/24/52 # 54 B&S111 to x 512 4/24/52 #52 baggage 72'/79' p2356-3639 400 blt 4/30/41 to X511 4/24/52 #51 mail storage 70' B&S 42 blt 11/28/52 to Bn 976129 3/3/70 #50 mail storage 70' B&S 41 blt 11/28/52 to Bn 3/3/70 GCCNR #45,46 mail 30' & baggage 80' p 2410f4583 TC 1391 & 1251 #45 to BN 2341 {Elswick} #46 to Bn 2342 {Pampanga} #43 mail 60'& baggae 80' p2410F4515 49 blt 6/61 to Bn 1935 {patuient}} #42 mail 60'/80'baggage p2410-3913-48 blt 1/61 to Bn 1934 {palmerton} #41 mail 60' & baggage 80' p3989T6274 Mt Jefferson blt 8/60 to Bn 1933 mt jefferson #40 mail 30' & express 70' B&S blt 2/11/16 to #52 9/12/60 #32mail 30' & baggage 73' p7536-6717 MKT1000 blt 1/18/66 to Bn 62203/3/70 {Anson B Jones} #31 mail 30' &baggae 85' SLcc 1809 St Louiscc blt 1/61 to Bn 621 3/3/70 #1 heater car ex GN 5 p208403207 blt 10/69 to Bn 3/3/70 #2 heater car AC&F Ex GN 7 blt 10/69 to Bn 3/3/70 #0 8 sect buf. obs Pullman p3989T6274 Ex Omaha club to #41 {2} 8/60 Mt jefferson #0 8 sect. buf. obs Pullman p3989T6274 Ex des moines blt 5/5/49 dismantled 1/24/63 Mt adams B&S= Barney & Smith, P= Pullman plus plan and lot #, B= Budd plus plan 7 lot # {AC} later installed air conditioning {EB} assigned Empire builder {NCL} assignes to North Coast limited TC= tourist car in Pullman fleet By Ppaul Hobbs
I'm pretty close to having a complete set, I just need a dormitory car and the Willamette dinner and I think I'll be set. I have all of the EB cars (as in the full EB set, not just the Portland section) and a few NP cars. I see you listed #99 there. I've got NBL's version in broad stripe. Whatever they use for a capacitor is outstanding.
wow...I haven't seen #99 released. I have the Walthers Empire Builder, and I had stipped a couple and repainted them. I have found that knowing the Pullman # gives you the info so if you find one in a different roads paint, you can strip down and repaint. I think you mentioned that you had 4-8-4 #700? I was wondering if you have any issues with it. I have one by Sunset and had to rework it to make it run well.
I have the sunset one too. Mine came with a miss aligned drive wheel that ended with me having to get parts from sunset. It runs fine now, but that run of northerns wasn't the best. I ordered the sound version but it failed the QC test at "a train shop" so I got the DC one. I have their SP&S #910 challenger and it is a huge improvement. NBL released #99 in 2 paint schemes along with a few other SP&S cars. I've seen a steam era MOW set for sale and I also have their #278. If you can find them, Branchline made several chair car kits in HO and Atlas is going to release a few RTR chair cars here "soon" in HO. Bowser is also due to release the F7s this summer making for a great E&F combo after the NP cars got added. Once the NP cars got added to trains 1&2, 750 didn't quite have enough power to pull it all the time. As for the EB cars, I'll just add the SP&S markings since most of the SP&S EB cars I have went to Amtrak still wearing EB colors. I'm also working on a fantasy P2K PA/PB set because it seems like the right thing to do considering how many Alcos SP&S owned.
I wonder why they didnt have PA's. The traffic between Spokane and Portland would warrant the use of a passenger loco like a PA. Which color scheme would be used? Im not sure I know who NBL is. The #700 I have is a sound unit I got from Hobby Smith. Its sound is real nice, and it runs well. I had to paint the lead trucks to keep from shorting on the cylinder, and I have to check the brakes on the drivers. They have a tendency to move againest the drivers and short.
SP&S being a subsidiary of GN and NP "got" to order whatever passenger locos and some freight locos the parents told them to. SP&S wanted EMD units over the C-636s, but they got the C-636s. Besides, the twin motored E unit was more reliable then the PA was anyways. At least when one prime mover failed on the 750 they had the other to drag it the rest of the way. Now a PA that was repowered with a EMD prime mover was the best of both worlds. If anything, I'd bet they would have gone with a few FPAs over a PA or PA/PB set. In truth, the 750 was bought because SP&S did a study to see what could pull trains 1&2 (EB only, this was before NP's section was added) and found the E unit to be satisfactory so they bought it, and quickly repainted it into EB colors at the behest of GN. Once NP got it's name train added 750 was repainted into SP&S colors and would run with a F unit behind it some of the time. That is also about the time SP&S would sometimes add a diner to the train if they knew one of the two was running late. While I wait on the Bowser F units to be released I have my relettered Athearn GP9 Torpedo boat (#150) as a F unit stand in. NBL is "North Bank Line." They do brass with surprisingly good quality. The interior on my 2 NBL cars is lit with a capacitor for switches and joiner flicker and the business car has a lit drum and end marker light. Sadly almost all of my roster is in broad stripe so I guess I'll keep with the consistency and do the PA set in it as well. Plus I already have the green lettered decals so I don't have much of a choice. My 700 hasn't been converted to DCC yet sadly.
I was waiting for the C636 from bowser, because they were used on the Oregon trunk, But now I would rather have the new F units.The VO1000 from Bowser has nice details, but a bit noisey. Atlas was going to release the RS-3's which I ordered but will never see in my lifetime. Athearn was going to release a GP9 in broadstripe a few years ago, and I thought there would be alot of interest to produce them...maybe since a saw a SP with torpedo tubes by them. I didnt know thw PA had only one motor. I see why they chose the E units, which served them well for a long time. #750 wore five or six different paint schemes in service for the SP&S, according to the historicial society.
Something to keep in mind was that SP&S didn't hold MU power sets sacred. I've got a photo of a Century subbing lead on a passenger train. I've also got a photo of a freight train being pulled by a 636, GP9, I think a SW9, and was led by a surviving FA.
Thats why I model the SP&S (other than my dad worked there for 45 years) because they didnt realy have as strict guidlines like some railroads as to what would head a passenger or a freight. Yes they did have century's on lead with a heater car (they owned two) in the head end. Plus the RS-2, GP-9's (tring to remember which switchers too) were equipped with steam generators, because alot of passenger equipment still relied on steam. I remember walking around the passenger track and the cars were hooked up to steam standpipes.and a heater car or a deadlined steam loco was providing the steam.
