my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

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

Southern Pacific C-630

15 units delivered

SP too delivery of 15 Alco C-630's as SP #7800 to #7814 in early 1966.

The Roseville Freight Pool was their initial assignment, though they operated systemwide.

Early engine failures were repaired under warranty, but they lost favor fast due to delicate engines.

In early 1970 they were leased to the Penn Central, bit they didn't like them any better, neither did the Burlington Northern. The Louisville & Nashville also leased them for a while, then returned them mid 1971.

The decision was then made to rebuild, (and renumber), them as heavy switchers, the dynamic brakes and transition was removed or disabled, and the wiring tidied up by Houston Shops in early 1973.

#7811 went to Railway Supply Co. in Alabama to be rebuilt as a heavy yard slug #1002

Delivered in the 1958 scarlet and gray paint scheme, Houston repainted them as they were rebuilt, and added the post 1971 white block SP to the nose.

References:

• SPT&HS 'Trainline' Summer 2000 Issue 64 - C-630 article by Joe Strapac
• SP Historic Diesels Vol.8 Also Roadswitchers by Joe Strapac

Additional Information on this Page contributed by Bruce Conklin.