Western Pacific

Me on the mike

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WP and its subsidiaries

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Steve Sloan's Trains : UP : Western Pacific

WP Steam

WP 62, ALCo, WP Class 21, Symbol C-43, 2-8-0

According to good sources, WP 62 is Class 21, Symbol C-43 built by ALCo in 1909 last used in 1949 retired in 1950.
WP 62 in Portola
WP 2-8-0 62 on the turntable at Portola, CA. Date of photo unknown. 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.

WP 254, Baldwin, 251 Class, Symbol M-137, 2-8-8-2

254 is from 251 Class, Symbol M-137 2-8-8-2, built in 1931 by Baldwin. Retired in 1952.
WP 254 leading Eastbound in Keddie
WP 2-8-8-2 254, leading an eastbound at Keddie, CA, date unknown.

WP 334 Alco 2-8-2 MK-60-71 Class

Western Pacific (WP) 334 is an ALCo 2-8-2. Reportedly WP 334 is the sole surviving Alco Class 332 MK-60-71 2-8-2. With the distinctive "Desert Tenders", these "Big Mikes" operated primarily between Portola and Elko. 334 was retired in October 1952, but operated on several fan trips in 1956, making her the last steam locomotive on the WP.
WP 334 in Rio Vista in 1970
A photo my dad took on an unrecorded day in July 1970 of me on the WP 334 Mikado at the Western Railroad Museum in Rio Vista.
SN 402 EMC SW1 | Closer Shot
Sacramento Northern SW1 402 getting tested outside the roundhouse. SN 402 gets attention under the hood.
SN402 is an EMC SW1, built in 1939 for the Western Pacific Railroad, as WP502. It was the second of three WP SW1s, the first diesel-electric locomotives purchased by the railroad. It was sold to WP subsidiary Sacramento Northern Railway in the 1960s, it went to the California State Railroad Museum after the Union Pacific merger in 1982.
Neg Scans: 2009112201_04 | 2009112201_05

SN 145 GE 44-ton

According to good sources SN 145 was built in 1946 by General Electric as a model 44-ton, builders number 28335, SN 145.
The disposition of this locomotive is, It was sold to Chrome Crankshaft Co in June 1972 and sold as Northwest Oklahoma Ry 2 in 1973. It was sold to Westmac Inc in 1976 and sold as Cargill Inc 3 in 1984. It was sold as Shepard Grain Co 3 in October 1998 and sold as Champaign Landmark Inc 3 in October 2003. It was sold for scrap to Western Star Rail Services in 2008.
SN 145 in Concord
Western Pacific subsidiary Sacramento Northern (SN) 44 tonner 145 in Concord, CA on an unknown date in the 1960s. These may be my first train photographs.

WP 561 ALCo S2, Class S-57

Reportedly WP 561 was built in 1950 by ALCo as a model S2, class S57, builders number 77019, WP 561. Sold in 1976 to ST&E stripped for parts and scrapped.
WP 561 in Stockton
Western Pacific (WP) ALCo S2 561 is resting in the WP Yard in Stockton on Sunday April 8, 1973.

WP 602 EMD SW9, Class S-62

WP 602 was reportedly built in 1952 by EMD as a model SW9, builders number 16637, WP 602, class S-62.
Sold in 1984 to to a fertilizer company in Canada.
WP 602 in Oakland
Western Pacific (WP) EMD SW9 602 is resting in the WP Yard in Oakland, CA, on Tuesday, June 5, 1973.

SN 607 EMC NW2

Reportedly SN 607 was built in 1939 by EMC as a model NW2, builders number 889, EMC 889 (demonstrator). It went to UP 1000, then ST&E 1000, went to WP 607 where it was rebuilt, then SN 607, then Heber 1000 and then to the Nevada State RR Museum and restored as UP 1000.
SN 607 resting in Pittsburg, CA
Sacramento Northern (SN) EMC NW2 607 is resting at the SN Depot in Pittsburg, CA on Sunday, May 20, 1973.
SN 607 working in Pittsburg, CA
Back in 1973 Pittsburg, CA was cool and was a great place to go see trains. Best part, it was close to where I lived. So, I would go there often. Sacramento Northern 607 is an NW2 shown here near the steel plant on an unrecorded day in 1973.

WP 608 EMC NW2

WP 608 is an EMC built NW2. Reportedly: (According to good sources, including Strapac's fantastic WP Compendium book) built by EMC in 1940, as UP 1001, builder number 1000. It became Stockton Terminal & Eastern 1001, went to WP in 1968 becoming WP 608. It was assigned but never wore UP 1887, donated to Feather River Rail Society, 1984.

Lee Hower wrote (on March 26, 2010), "NW2 608 had the unfortunate distinction of being the switcher that pulled out and assembled the last eastbound California Zephyr on on March 21, 1970. My gosh. 40 years and 5 days ago." Eugene replied, "Yup, and she was also the engine that switched the "Mini-Zephyr" train in and out of the WP RR Museum in Portola, CA on October 30 and November 1, 2009. When the Amtrak powered 3 car CZ came into Portola, WP 805-A was waiting in Portola Yard along with 608, which was fired up and used as the terminal switcher to bring the train into the museum yard."

Eugene continued, "I should note that the passengers were having dinner and the engineer on 608 was so gentle that no one was even aware we had been coupled on to and were moving. The wine glasses didn't even tremble."
Eugene said, "608 was the first locomotive I ever worked on as part of an engine crew (at the museum, of course)."

WP NW2 608 in Oakland
A side shot of Western Pacific (WP) NW2 608 in Oakland, CA in the late summer of 1974.

WP 707 EMD GP7, WP Class RS-62

WP 707 is an EMD GP7, WP Class RS-62. Reportedly: it was built in 1952 by EMD as a model GP7, WP 703, WP Class RS-62, builder's number 17031.
The disposition of this locomotive is: assigned UP 108. Donated in 1987 to the Feather River Railroad Society in Portola, CA.
WP 707 in the snow
WP 707 is in Portola, CA on a very cold Saturday, February 10, 1973. This photo was really a collaboration between myself, Paul Burmiester, his dad Bud and the driver of the approaching car who’s headlights illuminated the engine.
WP 704 EMD GP7
In the Summer of 1973, Western Pacific orange and silver GP7 704 is waiting for work in West Oakland. This photo is also from film roll number 2-14 35mm Panatomic X shot the Summer of 1973.
WP 727 EMD GP9
WP GP9 727 in Milpitas, 1973.
Neg Scan: 2009112201_01

WP 728 EMD GP9, WP Class RS-62

According to good sources, including Joseph Strapac's Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 728 was built in 1955 by EMD as a model GP9, builders number 20699, WP 728, class RS-62. It was assigned but never became UP 302, retired in 1984, sold in 1985.
WP 728 in Oakland
WP 728 in Oakland — Western Pacific (WP) EMD GP9 728 is resting in the WP Power Pool in Oakland, CA on a Saturday afternoon, May 19, 1973.

WP 913A (913) EMD F7A, Class D-239

According to good sources, including Joseph Strapac's Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 913-A was reportedly built in 1950 by EMD as a model F7A, builders number 8976, WP 920-A, class D-239. It became WP 913-A in 1971, renumbered 913 in 1975, overhauled by MK in 1978 and donated in 1981 to the California State Railroad Museum.

According to TrainWeb: 913 was the most famous F-unit of the "Final Four" during their last 4 years in service. She was selected as the only one of the 4 to be painted in WP's orange and silver paint scheme that they did away with during the early 70's.

913 was built on 1/27/1950 (SN 8976) as 920-A. In 1971 she swapped numbers with the original 913-A. That same year she recieved the former SP plow pilot from the recently scrapped 921-A.

In 1975, as with all F-units left on the roster, the alpha suffixes were dropped.

In 1977 913 and 921 were shipped to Morrison-Knudsen in Boise Idaho for major work. 913 and 921 swapped prime movers since 921 had the better of the two. After arriving home in February 1978, she was immediately repainted in a modified freight/passenger orange and silver paint job that made her the most photographed F of the four. 913 and her 3 sisters ran, usually pulling the San Jose Turn from Milpitas to Stockton for the next 3 years until Union Pacific bought WP and everything changed.

WP 913 and 918 were retired roughly the same time in 1981, leaving 917 and 921 to carry on for almost another year. WP donated 913 to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, Ca. as a surprise gift that year, where she is currently on display (and is run on occasion).
WP 913-A in Stockton
Western Pacific (WP) EMD F7 913 is resting in the WP Power Pool in Stockton, CA on an unknown day in 1973, a Sunday afternoon.
WP 913 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento

WP 915D (915) EMD F7, Class D-239

According to good sources, including Joseph Strapac's Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 915-D was built in 1950 by EMD as a model F7A, WP 915-D, WP Class D-239, builder's number 8967. In 1975 it was renumbered to 915, WP Class D-239.
The disposition of this locomotive is: sold for scrap 1979.
WP 915-D in Milpitas
WP 915-D in Mipitas on the point of the San Jose Turn (SJT) on Sunday, April 22, 1973.
  • Scan from a print. From Photo Album 1001.1.23.1, , Scan 2018021201ph.3, Original shot on Ektachrome X 120 with a Yashicamat 124G

WP 918D (918), EMD F7A, WP Class D-239

WP 918D is an EMD F7. Reportedly: WP 918D was built in 1950 by EMD as WP 918D a model F7, builders number 8973, Class D-239. It became WP 918 in 1980. It was retired in 1981. It was donated to PLA in 1982. It was restored to operation. It was restored in 2002-2005 and moved to NCRY to operate again as the 918D.
WP 918D on the NCRy
WP 918-D is an EMD F7, owned by the Pacific Locomotive Association, serial number 8973, built on January 27, 1950. She is powered by a 16 cylinder EMD engine and has 1500 horsepower. 918 is one of 48 F7's ordered by WP (24 "A" units and 24 "B" units). 913 - 921 were built in 1950 while the 922 - 924 four unit A-B-B-A sets were built a year later. 918-D met her end on the Western Pacific on March 30, 1981. [Read More]
Click on the links below to see photos of WP 918-D:

WP 921D (921) EMD F7, Class D-239

According to good sources, including Joseph Strapac's Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 921-D was built in 1950 by EMD as a model F7A, builders number 8979, WP 921-D, class D-239. It was renumbered 921 in 1975, repaired and overhauled by MK in 1978 and donated in 1983 to the Feather River Railroad Society in Portola, CA.
WP 921-D in Oakland
Western Pacific (WP) EMD F7 921-D is resting in the WP Power Pool in Oakland, CA on an unrecorded day in 1973.
WP 1503 EMD SW1500
SW1500 EMD Unclassified 1500 horsepower 64,466 pounds tractive effort 257,870 pounds operating weight Cost $207,134.00, 1503, Serial - 72692-3, Order - 72692, Built - 5/31/73, Delivered - 6/21/73. To UP 1317.
WP 2002 EMD GP20
GP20 EMD Class RS-64 2000 horsepower 64,100 pounds tractive effor 256,890 pounds operating weight Cost $212,793.00, 2002, Serial 25624, Frame 5607-2, Order 5607, Built - 11/25/59, Delivered - 12/15/59. To UP (478); Sold to Relco 2001.

WP 2006 EMD GP20, Class RS-64

According to sources, including Joseph Strapac's excellent Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 2006 was built in 1959 by EMD as a model GP20, builders number 25628, WP 2006, class RS-64. It was assigned but never became UP 482, retired in 1985 and sold to PNC in 1988 and spent time in Mt Vernon, IL, before meeting its fate.
WP 2006 in Milpitas
Western Pacific (WP) EMD GP20 2006 is resting in the WP Yard in Milpitas, CA on Saturday, May 12, 1973.

WP 2007 EMD GP20, Class RS-64

According to sources, including Joseph Strapac's excellent Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 2007 was built in 1960 by EMD as a model GP20, builders number 26041, WP 2007, class RS-64. It was assigned but never became UP 483, retired in 1985 and sold to PNC in 1988 and spent time in Mt Vernon, IL, before meeting its fate.
WP 2007 in Milpitas
Western Pacific (WP) EMD GP20 2009 is resting in the WP Yard in Milpitas, CA, on Saturday, May 12, 1973.

WP 2009 EMD GP20, Class RS-64

According to sources, including Joseph Strapac's excellent Diesel Locomotives of the Western Pacific, WP 2009 was built in 1960 by EMD as a model GP20, builders number 26043, WP 2009, class RS-64. It became UP 488, retired in 1985 and sold for scrap.
WP 2009 in Oakland
Western Pacific (WP) EMD GP20 2009 is resting in the WP Yard in Oakland, CA on Sunday, June 10, 1973.
WP 2257 GE U23B
WP U23B 2257 in Oakland, 1973.
Neg scan: 2009112201.2

WP 2262 GE U23B

WP 2262 is a GE U23B. Reportedly: (According to good sources, including Strapac's fantastic WP Compendium book) WP 2262 was built by GE in 1972 builder number 38408. It was assigned to the Missouri Pacific but never wore a MP number. It was stored for number of years in the early 80s and was traded back to GE as trade-in on a C40-8. GE rebuilt it to a Super 7, (B23-7R) MGRR 2307, it became CR 2035 then NS 4097. It's also reported to have become OHIC 4097, OHCR 4097.
WP 2262 in Oakland
Western Pacific (WP) U23B 2262 is in the old Oakland power pool awaiting a call to duty. This is the other end of a set with WP 3526. This was taken on an unrecorded date the late summer of 1974.
WP 3514 EMD GP40
Builder's number 33059 built 3/67 to UP 663; Sold to KCS 4777
  • In power pool. In the summer of 1973, Western Pacific orange and silver GP40 3514 is waiting for work in West Oakland. This photo is also from roll 2-14, 35mm Panatomic X shot in 1973.

WP 3522 EMD GP40, Class RS-68

Western Pacific (WP) 3522 is an EMD GP40. Reportedly: WP 3522 was built by EMD in 1970 as a GP40 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. The disposition of this locomotive is reported as: Current status not known.
WP 3522 leading an eastbound at Keddie
One of my early photos. Western Pacific (WP) 3522 and two WP friends leads an ABBA set of a Union Pacific locomotives, one UP GP30 two UP GP9Bs and a UP GP35 eastbound over Keddie Wye on an unrecorded date in August 1971.

WP 3526 EMD GP40

WP 3526 is an EMD GP40. Reportedly: (According to good sources, including Strapac's fantastic WP Compendium book) WP 3526 was built by EMD in 1970 builder number 36787. It was assigned but never wore UP 675. WP 3526 was returned to the lessor, Helm Financial Corp. It became Wisconsin Central 3009.
WP GP40 3526 in Oakland
Western Pacific (WP) GP40 3526 is in the old Oakland power pool awaiting a call to duty. This is the other end of a set with WP 2262. This was taken the late summer of 1974.
WP 3533 EMD GP40
Builder Number 37844 Built 8/71. To UP 681; Sold to Chicago Missouri & Western 3016; To SSW 7279
  • In power pool WP GP40 3533 sits waiting for work in West Oakland. 35mm Panatomic-X shot in the summer of 1973.

WP 3543 EMD GP40

WP 3543 was reportedly built in 1971 by EMD as a model GP40, builders number 37854, WP 3543. It became UP 690, retired in 1986 and became Chicago Missouri & Western 3025, then Wisconsin Central 3025, then Ready Mixed Concrete Company 3025, then Montana Rail Link 500.
WP 3543 in Oakland
Western Pacific (WP) EMD GP40 3543 is resting in the WP Yard in Oakland, CA on Tuesday, June 5, 1973.

WP 3554 EMD GP40-2

WP 3554 is an EMD GP40-2. Reportedly WP 3554 was built in 1980 as an EMD GP40-2, Builder Number 786277-5, WP 3554, in the series WP 3545-3559. After the merger it became UP 909, then UP 2911, then UP 5318, then UP 9986.
WP 3554 on the SN Detour, detour
Western Pacific GP40-2 3554 on the point of the SN Detour which is itself detouring.
  • The train is caught heading east, crossing the SP bridge at Mossdale, CA in 1980 on a date that was not recorded. The Detour detour was probably due to the October 1980 washout on the Santa Fe in the delta near Trull that swallowed a train.
    Slide 5.3619, Scan 2008032403ph.2
  • Cab 453 is on the rear of this train.
    Rear of train: Slide 5.2876, Scan 2008031701.3

Cabooses

WP Caboose 467

WP Caboose 467 Reportedly: WP 467 was built in in 1973 by the International Car Co. After the UP merger it became a UP Class CA-16 caboose. It was stored at Council Bluffs, Iowa, from 1985. It was donated in 1988 to Niles Depot Historical Foundation, and delivered there in 1989.
WP Caboose 467 in Niles
Former Western Pacific (WP) caboose 467 at the Niles Depot, facing the Union Pacific Niles Sub mainline, in Fremont, CA, on Friday, February 10, 2023.

WP 435 WP 426 class caboose

According to Mike Mucklin:

WP didn't assign classes to their cabooses like UP (CA class) or Santa Fe (Ce class) so I generally refer to them by the first number in the group as being the "class car".
WP 435 was one of the original 1955 built "426 class" cars. This was a group of 35 cars, the first steel cabooses on the WP, numbered from 426 to 460. Construction of the group continued into 1956 and they were delivered with a box car red body, black roofs and yellow lettering and safety appliances. In the early 1970s early cars that were shopped were painted an updated caboose red (bright red) paint scheme with white lettering. Some cars were updated with their end ladders and roof walks removed but some weren't. Some had black roofs and steps but some, like the 435 were all red. As with most shop projects on the WP, there were few specific standards that shop forces were required to adhere to so there were a lot of variations as cars emerged from the repair shop. I believe the first 426 class car to emerge in the bright red scheme from the Jeffrey Car Shops in Sacramento was the 436 on 4-30-73 followed by the 435 on 6-08-73.
435 in Stockton
In June 1973 or later WP 426 class caboose 435 sits at Stockton, CA between assignments.
  • Photo of caboose
    Slide 5.2881, Scan 2008031701.2v2
Caboose 453 International Railway Car Co.
From the series 426 - 460, 35 cars built 1955-56 by International Railway Car Co.
  • Western Pacific GP40-2 3554 on the point
    Slide 5.3619, Scan 2008032403.2
  • Western Pacific Cab 453 is on the rear of the SN Detour detouring east after crossing the SP bridge at Mossdale, CA in 1980 on a date that was not recorded.
    Slide 5.2876, Scan 2008031701.3

WP 668 Western Pacific Composite Bay Window Caboose

According to Mike Mucklin:

WP didn't assign classes to their cabooses like UP (CA class) or Santa Fe (Ce class) so I generally refer to them by the first number in the group as being the "class car".
All of the outside braced cupola and bay window cars were built by WP in Sacramento from retired 1916 era Pullman box cars. The first 12 cars were cupola style cars (nicknamed "Canyon Cabooses" for their recessed ends that provided some protection for crews in inclement weather) in 1937. There was a total of 28 cupola style OB cabooses built before WP built the first bay window style car in 1942. A total of 48 of these bay window box car rebuilds were constructed between 1942 and 1945 when the program ended. The 668 in your shot was the last of the 25 cars built in 1943 and the 658 was in the same group.

This caboose is now private property of Katy Dickinson and John Plocher in San Jose, CA. It was previously at the Golden Gate Railroad Museum, San Francisco.
WP 668 has a related Website here.

WP 668 in West Sacramento
Outside braced Wooden WP Caboose 668 sits at Sacramento, CA in June of 1975 Dave Stanley said, "I'm sure you know this but your shot of the cabooses was taken in West Sacramento, at the SN's Westside terminal along the Sacramento River."
  • Photo of caboose 668
    Slide 5.2885, Scan 2008031701.1v3

Related Information

Related Links

Click on the following links to see other posts related to this story:

My WP collection in Flickr
My collection of Santa Fe photos in Flickr.
WP Roster
A Good WP Roster by The Diesel Shop.

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