Re: SW1500 for Portola?
Author: Zephyrus
Date: 10-02-2011 - 20:55
Interesting. I've never heard that WP 1501-1503 were an SP order add-on. There was an order of P&LE SW1500s built between an SP order and the WP order from what I understand. They were optioned similarly, except for SP specific items like the signal lights.
A sidebar to the WP SW1500 story is that the railroad tried 3 previous times to buy SW1500s, but cancelled the first two (in 1967 and 1968) and then converted the third order (1970) into a request for GP40s (WP 3517-3526).
The 1967 order was for 4, to be numbered WP 611-614. The 1968 order was for 7, numbers uncertain but likely WP 611-617. These would have probably been painted solid orange if ordered.
In 1975, the railroad discussed the idea of ordering 5 MP15s, to be numbered WP 1504-1508.
(Info from Strapac "WP Diesel Locomotives")