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The great railroad of California and the Southwest, famous for the Daylight paint scheme and cab-forward locomotives. Merged into Union Pacific in 1996.
1865
Dissolved 1996
Western US
USA
15,000
Route miles
AC-12 Cab Forward
Southern Pacific Railroad was the dominant railroad of California and the Southwest for over 130 years. The railroad connected California with the rest of the nation via routes through Donner Pass, Tehachapi Pass, and across Texas. SP's "friendly" logo and Daylight paint scheme became icons of western railroading.
The SP was known for innovative engineering, including the famous cab-forward articulated locomotives designed to protect crews from smoke in the many tunnels and snowsheds of the Sierra Nevada. The railroad's passenger fleet included the Coast Daylight, one of the most beautiful streamlined trains ever to run.
SP's black widow and bloody nose paint schemes on freight power were distinctive, while the orange and red Daylight scheme adorned passenger equipment and some diesel locomotives.
Southern Pacific was merged into Union Pacific in 1996, ending over a century of independence. The UP's heritage program has honored SP with special paint schemes, keeping the Daylight and black widow schemes alive on modern power.
1937-1958
Spectacular orange, red, and black scheme
1958-1996
Gray with red nose for freight diesels
1946-1958
Black and gray with red nose
Cab-forward locomotives are unique to SP and make stunning models
The Tehachapi Loop is one of the most modeled prototype scenes
SD9s and SD45s were signature SP freight power
Cotton Belt was a subsidiary with its own distinctive scheme
Speed lettering on tank cars identifies SP-owned equipment