Alien Visitors, part 2

Visitors, part 1
SP
Site map
Rio Grande "B" Units
In 1969 - 70, SP leased a few Denver & Rio Grande F-7B units to ease power shortages, interesting because in 1970, SP was similtaneously leasing out its own C-628's and C-630's to BN. The B's probably were assigned to Roseville for maintenance, because they frequently visited San Jose. In the summer of 1970, SP also leased a couple of Rio Grande "A" units, but they were assigned (with a pair of boosters) to Sparks, and spent most of their time working the Minden Local.

Below is a Rio Grande running light through College Park (headed towards the "Western" a.k.a., the Milpitas Line) with SD-45 # 8818, on a particulrly overcast day in the fall of 1969, as seen from the depot shelter. To the right is ever-present Central Concerete spur , and in the distant gloom is the tower, yard and roundhouse. I have no idea of the unit's number; it was missing from the side. As it was, Rio Grande's lettered its B Units in about six point type, so identification was always a problem.

The 8818 would gain a measure of Foamerdom fame in the mid-1980's as by-far the oldest unrebuilt SD-45 on the SP system. I'll post a little ditty about it at some point.
id2455
Union Pacific SD-40's.
In the late 60's UP and SP commenced with an Overland Route freight train run-through agreement. Since the mileage on the UP end was considerably higher, the agreement provided that UP SD-40's would equalize the miles by running in SP general freight service. Thus, UP locos have been a common sight in San Jose for three-and-one-half-decades.

Here, in the spring of 1974, UP 3132 is sharing San Jose's facilities with SP SD-7 1420 (earlier - 2720, later - 1520). Along with the 1419, or sometimes the 1442, the 1420 held sway as the Permanente Local power from the late 60's through the '70's. Yep, there'll be something about the Permanente at some point.