Found a box of SP. When I say a box I mean a copier paper sized box full of Kodak slide boxes – see below. The marking says SP + SP Special three boxes. Looking at the first slide I’d say they are pretty likely to be special
SP 4008 OCT 72
Uncategorized
The Crossing Dining Cars and Lounge – Sep 1979
I googled a bit and struck out – but I want to say Oregon yellow plates on the Maverick and the Honda CB may help. Where are we ?
David Hardie © May 1979
My Dad’s friend David Hardie, seems to have made several duplicates and shared with him over the years. I usually don’t scan those and share since I don’t own the content, but I scanned this one in my assembly line and it’s worth a share.
SEP 77 Milwaukee Road
Sometimes Dad would organize by company when sorting slides for Friday night slide night at Iron Horse Hobbies. This box must be one of those. As usual, the slides are only marked with the Kodak mount date but I recall that year’s trip was in August from home to South Dakota on another meandering route.
I have always liked switchers and these are no exception. The shadows and textures of the first two contrast nicely against the fresh looking paint.
The last two are washed out – I skipped Photoshop this time – but they are a study in weathering and details.
I can smell the creosote and oil on the ties. The smells of my childhood.
EMPIRE BUILDER SEP 77
As far as I can tell this is in Portland. There is a similar car images here in Como, but the big building & Coke sign tells me Portland.
Usually I can find something on the Google machine that tells the story of named passenger cars. I went on the Railway Preservation News and got this :
P-S, 1950, Lot #6828:
One Car, Plan #4107, 1950, 8RM-4S-4DB “Pass”-Series:
SP&S #700 “Indian Pass”. No disposition information whatsoever.
SP 4001 JUN 72
I think we are in San Jose or Santa Clara but I don’t know. What I do know is that in June of 72 we lived in Burlingame and Dad worked in the San Jose office sometimes so I base my guess on that alone.
The website that I get information from is http://www.rrpicturearchives.net and it’s not looking good today so I cannot state what type of engine this is. I mean I can guess its an Alco product but I am unsure.
September 1977
Rear 3/4 
Broadside 
Front 3/4
Milwaukee EMD SDL39 Number 590 was only a toddler when these were taken – born 11/72.
As far as I can tell this unit eventually spent the crazy 80’s & 90’s on the Wisconsin Central and there is a note about the Soo Line as well.
All three were favorites of Fred’s so it seems fitting somehow.
Personally, I like teh clean lines and proportions and the short range fuel tank too.
February 1984 – Colton Yard California
We drive past Colton yard when we go visit my mother in law in Palm Desert so I recognize these near Cherry Ave.
February of 1984 would be cool days and colder evenings in the very busy Colton.
They are on a loop so I hope that you can stop them and zoom in for details.
So much variety back then.
Run by October 1984
May 85 Number 6 & 8
A Caboose always humanizes these images for me.
After all a boxcar full of stuff doesn’t have a personality outside that of the logo, for me anyway.
Here we are in the Ozol, Ca area again with SSW Caboose 50
The interesting difference between the posting here at the RR archives is color and condition. Also notice the welded up windows. If I recall, Dad mentioned that the crews were getting shot at and the reduction of openings was for safety.
I wonder if anyone can confirm this ?
I also appreciate the D&H box car “snip” and of course SP 2626 that. according to teh RR Archive was revived by the UP in the 90s .
Fred's Slides 