The term "pocket battleship" was used for any of several German warships built in the late 1920s and early 1930s that were smaller, less well armed, and less heavily armored than a conventional battleship, but that that could outgun a heavy cruiser. SD39s are some of my favorite EMDs. For some reason when I think of SD39s I think of pocket battleships. For years these warriors did battle with some of the SPs toughest hills.

Photo One - Southern Pacific SD39 5308 and fellow SD39 5303 switch cars in the SP yard in Mojave, CA on March 29, 1973.

Photo Two - Southern Pacific SD39 5317 leads SD45 8844 and other big EMDs on an SP westbound at Woodford, CA on October 21, 1974.

Photo Three - Southern Pacific SD39 5324 leads SP U28C 7155 and others past Highland at the Summit of SP’s Colton Cutoff on October 20, 1974.







Please note, these scans were done about 1.5 years ago and my more recent scans are much better. I have learned a lot since then.

I hope you like the pictures:

~Steve Sloan