Re: SP 5119

When purchased new it is believed to have been initially assigned to Arizona to dodge California taxes. After Oregon, the SD&AE saw the largest assignment of SP's 70 tons with up to six units, rotated to LA for any heavy work. The 5119 called the SD&AE home most of its SP life, usually paired with the 5102. In addition to the named branches that had 60# rail, they also worked the yard, downtown industrial tracks and the "Roustabout" including working across the border into Tijuana. 5119 finally made it to Oregon after being sold to WCTU by SP where it joined the 5117.

M&ET picked them up in 2005 after WCTU had replaced them with an EMD. After M&ET had their infamous spilled coffee wreck taking out three 70 tons, since it had mu (5117 did not) the 5119 was quickly returned to service as M&ET 613 using 606's hood (x5114, former second GE demonstrator). The trains just got too big for 70 tons, and M&ET got environmental bribes to buy gen-sets. All the operable 70 tons were eventually sold to a locomotive dealer, and all the others (wrecked, 5117 and other spares waiting rebuild) were scrapped. A long time member of PSRMA donated the money to return the 613/5119 to SD&AE rails in Campo.

The 613 was operable from the M&ET - I was the last one to run it at Modesto so it could be winched onto the truck. I also ran it off the truck at Campo onto "home" rails. The last I knew it was still operable and used occasionally as the 613, plans are to eventually return it to its SP appearance returning some details (pilot, radiator guard, number boards, class lights, mu end handrails, etc.) and paint. As with all volunteer non-profit groups, all it takes is time and money.

Sammie - we have met at least a couple times over the last 25 years. I ran into one of your guys here Saturday who was playing hooky from weekend train duty for you. And sorry to say my insanity now extends well beyond SP GE 70 tonners ....