SP had the largest fleet of GE 70 tons than anyone else in North America. In 1949, the first 10 of an eventual 21 were used to retire the Tw class working branches in Oregon. Ironically, the first one bought was the last one retired in 1977, now in the care of Shortline Sammie. The GE 70 ton was well suited for light rail (60#) and restricted bridges.

I have found that SP assigned their fleet (and leased CCT units on occasion) to a variety of runs, not all necessarily light rail but where a small unit would suffice.

OREGON:

Any of the Eastside branches. Eventually a single light SD9 (first order) or SD7 was used on what lines remained.

Coos Bay line on the Coquille branch. Was the line upgraded to handle Coos Bay Lumber's SW1200s?

Portland area switching in the 1950s.

CALIFORNIA:

San Diego and Arizona Eastern - worked San Diego yard, Coronado branch and line to El Cajon. Replaced by SW8s when El Cajon was upgraded with 75# rail and most of the Coronado was abandoned.

Los Angeles - units show up here on occasion, some are SDAE assigned units for shop work. There are claims that units were assigned here - what job/branch did they work? Maybe PE?

Central Valley - A photo shows 5113 on the Oakdale branch in 1950s. Was this a regular assignment?

Oakland - One source says one was assigned to Oakland, possibly for the coach yard. GE also had a shop here, so photos might be units in for work or resale by GE.

NWP - Stindt shows:
5107 leased 10/27/52-5/8/53, and 8/19/55-9/27/55.
5112 leased 10/28/51-5/19/52
5117 leased 1962? to mid1964
I think I saw a photo once of them street running - maybe assigned only to south/west end and never out of Eureka?

ARIZONA

One was assigned to trains 381/382 the Gila Tomahawk between Bowie and Globe (B/E and coach) until train was discontinued at the end of 1953.

Was only one unit assigned to Bowie, another for backup or elsewhere?


Anyone know of any other SP GE 70 ton assignments? Oregon had the most, followed by the SD&AE. Some of the original 10 never left Oregon (like the 5100). Some were retrofitted or built new with mu, many were single engine control.

The two strangest assignments I have found were both out of Eugene. A 70 ton would drag a Baldwin and set it out for another job, maybe Springfield? A couple photos have surfaced showing this.

The late Ron Harr remembered running them out of Eugene. Says they used to dispatch 3 of them with around 100 cars up the main to Albany. They would drop the cars in the Albany yard, run around them and take the rear portion up one of the branches (possibly the Mill City job). I could see them getting that many empties out of Eugene, but how/when did the loads get back?