my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

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

Cotton Belt GP7

1 unit delivered

see SSW GP7 Roster for details

This unit was purchased by Cotton Belt in 1950, numbered SSW 320, had a steam generator for backup passenger duties, but no dynamic brakes.

Originally painted in Daylight colors with yellow handrails, stanchions and grab irons and lettered St.L.S-W. (ST. LOUIS SOUTHWESTERN).

In 1952 it was renumbered to 304, still lettered St.L.S-W.

Cotton Belt lettering came in 1955-56.

Sometime between 1955 and 1959 it received the Cotton Belt's variation of Black Widow paint.

In 1959-60 the steam generator was removed after the cessation of passenger trains on the Cotton Belt.

By 1968 it was in standard scarlet and grey (Blood(y) Nose) paint still numbered 304.

References:

• SP Motive power Annual 1968-69 - has a black and white photo of 304 in Daylight paint.
• SP Motive power Annual 1970 - has a photo of 304 in Blood Nose.
• SP Motive power Annual 1971 - has a photo of 304 in Blood Nose.
• SP Motive power Annual 1972 - has a photo of 304 in Blood Nose.
• SP Motive power Annual 1973 - has a photo of 304 in SSW Black Widow paint dated 1962.
• SP Dieselization by John Bonds Garmany - has photo's of the SSW GP7.
• Cotton Belt Locomotives by Joe Strapac, Chapter 13. - page 160 has two black and white photo's of 304 in Daylight paint.