my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Southern Pacific

Passenger Trains

Morning/Coast Daylight

This information has been compiled from postings to the SP Mailing list.

A very comprehensive book has been written about the Coast Daylight by Richard.K.Wright. Copies are still available from shops etc. if you are at all interested in this train, then I would advise the purchase of said book.
Having said that, this page will then be but a very brief overview of Train #98/99.

The Morning/Coast Daylight's inaugural run was on March 1st 1937 and hauled by GS2's. This was also the introduction of the black/orange and red Daylight paint scheme.

The 1937 consists were 12 cars in length, in 1938 this was increased to 13 cars, and in 1939 increased again to 14 cars, and once again to 15 cars.

These 1937 built cars were 77 feet long over the end sills, and a coupled length of 79' 2"

Due to increased patronage, new 14 car train-set was delivered in 1940, but even these were increased to 15 cars. During the war years, 18 and then 20 car consists were the norm, dropping back to 18 cars in 1946.

These 1939 built cars were 79 feet over end sills, two extra feet for the innovative baggage elevators, and a coupled length of 81' 2".

By 1948 the train fluctuated between 16-19 cars depending on demand.

Korean war years it was back up to 20 cars.

The Coast Daylight was dieselized on January 7th 1955.

Typical 1946 consist:

• Baggage chair car
• Articulated chair car(s)
• Articulated chair car(s)
• Articulated chair car(s)
• Triple unit diner
• Chair car
• articulated chair car(s)
• articulated chair car(s)
• Chair car
• Tavern car
• Parlor car
• Parlor Observation

20 cars was the maximum consist, if demand was there.

• 16 Cars - San Francisco to Los Angeles
• Train 98 is completely air conditioned

• 16 Cars - Los Angeles to San Francisco
• Train 99 is completely air conditioned

A 1970 consist:

• Baggage car
• Chair car
• Chair car
• Chair car
• Automat
• Chair car
• Chair car