| Southern Pacific's SD38-2 locomotives were somewhat unique on the railroad when delivered in 1973, as they were ordered without the SP-standard signal lights on them - just the EMD-standard nose headlight. This was because they were intended solely for use on the hump at the road's then-new West Colton Yard in Bloomington, California. The yard officially opened on February 23, 1973, and the SD38-2s, 2971 through 2976, were built by EMD in April of 1973. These engines, teamed with slugs constructed from old Alco six-axle road power, did occassionally venture out onto the road for short jaunts, such as this transfer - led by SD38-2 2976, slug 1001 (ex-SP C628 7115, originally SP 4856) and SD38-2 2972 - heading from the old Colton Yard to West Colton Yard. The slugs are long-gone, but the six SD38-2s soldier on at this location under a coat of UP Armour Yellow paint. |