PSLN SD7R 1535 (Unrepainted)

Instructions

-FULL HISTORY- Perhaps PSLN's most famous locomotive is their sole SD7. A stalwart worker, it is now enjoying a well-earned retirement as an excursion locomotive, this project will outline the history of this locomotive. 1535 was built in September 1953 as SP DF-118 #5331. It was the 16th engine out of an order of 20 locomotives in EMD Order 5188; Southern Pacific's final order of SD7s. Purchased for backup passenger service and local/branch line service, these came with dual tanks, the front tank being a 1200-gallon water tank. A steam generator was fitted in the short hood, and large "Ash Can" Mars signal lights adorned both ends (One of two orders to do so, the other being Order 5282). Its frame was stamped as 5188-16, with serial number 18396. As-delivered it was painted in SP's "Road-Switcher Tiger Stripe" livery, and was fitted with a Nathan M3R24 horn. In 1955, the locomotive was repainted in the 4 color "Black Widow" scheme. Sometime before 1965, it was reassigned to work on Southern Pacific's subsidiary, Northwestern Pacific (NWP). While there, it was fitted with spark arrestors over the exhaust and steam generator stacks to prevent brush fires. It was renumbered as 2738 during the 1965 system renumbering, but kept its old paint, and continued to work on NWP. In 1967, it was repainted into SP's Scarlett and Red "Bloody Nose" scheme, and some minor modifications took place as well. These included the removal of the spark arrestors, replacing its M3R24 horn with a Nathan P3, and fitting a new KarTrak identification barcode. By 1972, it had been reassigned to Roseville, California. In addition, its rear barrel headlight had been removed, as well as its rear number boards. In April 1974, it was renumbered as 1438, to make way in the numbering slots for an impending new SP order of SW1500s. During its renumbering in the Roseville shops, its front barrel headlight, and rear standard headlight were removed and replaced with a Pyre signal light, with the uppermost light being a UDE light (This is not to be confused with the full SP light package). Due to the age of the EMD SD7 locomotives and their now-antiquated 567B prime movers, Southern Pacific Transportation Company decided to rebuild all 42 of their EMD SD7s. Beginning in January 1979, and continuing through to June 1980, all 42 SD7s were rebuilt into SD7Rs at the Southern Pacific's Sacramento Shops as a part of the larger General Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (G.R.I.P). During this program, 1438 was renumbered for the final time, now bearing the number 1535. Externally, the locomotive changed quite significantly during its rebuild. A full SP 5 light package was fitted both fore and aft - similar to a DW103 or made from the separate DA1001, 1002, or 1003. A new electrical cabinet was fitted, which resulted in an 'umbrella' or 'hump' behind the locomotive's cab. Its steam generators, steam-generator stacks, and the forward water tank were removed. Its dynamic braking equipment and accompanying dynamic brake fans were removed (albeit with the dynamic brake blister being maintained). After its rebuild, the locomotive found itself venturing outside of Roseville rather frequently, often paired up with SD9s, and other SD7s. By the 1990's the GP9s, SD9s, and SD7s were being pushed off mainline trains by the arrival of newer more powerful locomotives, mostly being reassigned to branch line, local, or yard service. In 1992, coinciding with a railroad-wide push to remove the light package (which began in 1986 during the failed SPSF merger to stay closer to ATSF customs) its light package was removed, and was fitted with a rotating beacon light. It continued in yard service and M.O.W. work until 1994 when it was reassigned permanently for the final time to Roseville, along with much of the class. On October 3rd, 1995 the locomotive was officially retired from Southern Pacific after 42 years of service. It was sold to the San Joaquin Valley Railroad in Fresno, California, and was delivered for storage on November 10th, 1995. It was then sold to Pacific Rail Dismantlers in West Colton, California on February 13th, 1996. On February 29th, 1996 the locomotive was sold by Pac Rail to the Placerville, Sacramento, and Lake Natoma Railroad Company (PSLN) for $27,005 at scrap value. It was delivered to PSLN at Folsom Junction, CA along with all of PSLN's other acquisitions from Pac Rail on March 11th, 1996.