Western Pacific in Pumpkin |
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Long-time followers of Western Pacific diesels probably recall that there were two phases
of solid orange and black paint on the "Feather River Route." Phase 1 appeared only on the
company's 12 EMC/EMD-built FT freight motor sets (#901A-B-C-D to 912A-B-C-D). Delivered
between November 1941 and November 1944, they originally wore a gorgeous green-yellow-red
attire. (View photo ). "A" and "D" units were cab equipped,
while cab-less boosters carried either a "B"or "C" in the number-boards.
WP exited World War II in a good financial position, but it struggled in the ensuing years to remain in the black. Improving operational effectiveness and cost reduction were key objectives, along with customer service. Hence in 1948, the decision was made to re-paint FT road power solid orange with black roof and nose bands; the simplified scheme was much easier and less expensive to maintain. The new livery later became known as "Pumpkin Phase 1". Yard engines were already painted in a simple black scheme, and there was no reason to repaint them. In March of the following year, the inaugural run of WP's famous California Zephyr occurred; it also marked the introduction of the railroad's new aluminum and orange painted F3s. The new livery would spread eventually to passenger and freight power system-wide. Even the classy pumpkin-painted FTs took their turn in the paint shop. A rising tide of highway and airline competition along with increased operating costs, during the early 1960s, led WP managers to again adopt a solid orange with black lettering format for cab units and yard engines. Only one road-switcher, GP35 #3003, ever received phase 2 economy pumpkin attire. It should also be noted that not all units received the phase 2 scheme prior to donning a Perlman coat of green. Written by R. Craig with in-put from Ken Rattenne | |
Alco S1 #510 Initially, WP had anticipated an all-EMD road and yard roster, but the LaGrange builder was booked solid with cab unit orders. Hence, the railroad was forced to sample Alco-built switchers; eight S1s (#504-511) arrived during April and May 1942. (Keith Ardinger photo in June 1971 / R. Craig collection) |
Alco S2 #561 WP S2 #561 was equipped with multiple-until controls as were sister units #559-562. The quartet of Alco switchers were delivered in early February of 1950; the total price tag was $410,700. This Tom Chenoweth image shows the #561 at Stockton, CA on 28 May 1972. (R. Craig collection) |
Alco S4 #564 A pair of 1000-hp S4s (#563 & 564) arrived from Alco's Schenectady, NY plant in June 1951; they remained on the roster 25 years prior to disposition. The #564 was sold to the Stockton Terminal & Eastern as #564 in December of 1976. (Tom Chenoweth photo at Stockton, CA in May 1972 / R. Craig collection) |
BLW VO-1000 #583 During the age of steam, Baldwin-built locomotives were popular on the WP; that was not the case when the railroad dieselized. WP purchased only five diesels from the Eddystone, PA manufacturer -- #581-585. They arrived in the latter part of 1945. (Tom Chenoweth photo at Stockton, CA on 28 May 1972) |
EMD SW9 #604 Although WP's Alcos had an excellent track record, the railroad needed switch engines with greater horsepower to move heavier trains. Consequently, management opted for six 1200-hp SW9s from EMD in 1952; the cost per unit was $110,700. (Alan Miller photo / Ryan Curlin collection) |
EMD NW2u #608 Late in 1968, WP received in-trade a pair of crippled NW2s (#1000 & 1001) from subsidiary ST&E. The EMDs were renumbered 607 & 608 respectively and given 1200-hp 567 prime movers. This photo of WP #608 was taken in Portola, CA at the WP railroad Museum on 27 July 1985. (Photo by Ken Rattenne) |
EMD F7A #918A In early 1950, nine four-unit F7 ABBA sets (#913-921) arrived on the property. The newcomers differed from their brethren FTs and F3s in that they featured aluminum-painted side panels rather than stainless steel, and 1500-gallon instead of 1200-gallon fuel tanks. (Deane Motis photo in May 1972) |
GP35 #3003 Delivered late in 1963, WP #3003 was one of a dozen GP35s on the west coast railroad's roster; it was also the only high-horsepower geep to wear at-one-time the company's solid pumpkin orange wardrobe. This Alan Miller roster shot shows the four-axle freight hauler in Salt Lake City, Utah in August 1974. |
Acknowledgements
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| New: 1 September 2024 | |