my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

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

Cotton Belt
DT-6-6-2000

#260

1 unit delivered

Built in May 1948, this unit was unique on the SP system, and was one of only 44 DT-6-6-2000's ever built.

The DT-6-6-2000 was basically two DS-4-4-1000's on a common frame, spliced by a common center cab, complete with two turbo exhausts on each hood and two 3 axle GSC Commonwealth trucks.

Originally delivered in Confederate Grey and Epaulet Yellow, and lettered St.L.S-W, #260 was painted in Cotton Belt's black and orange scheme, and finally a version of scarlet and gray - see Steve Allen Goens book listed below.

The #260 spent all of its life on the Gatesville Sub, traveling between Waco and Gatesville, although it did occasionally operate elsewhere.

Looking at the photos in the publications listed below, no external modifications appear to have been made over the units lifetime.

References:

• Extra 2200 South, Issue 55, Jan, Feb, Mar 1976 - SP Roster Part II, SSW
• SP Motive Power Annual 1970 - Built by Baldwin article.
• SP Dieselization by John Bonds Garmany.
• Cotton Belt Locomotives by Joe Strapac.
• Cotton Belt Pictorial by Steve Allen Goens - color photos of paint schemes worn by #260