Southern Pacific GP9 3438 Gets Around

As McAllen, Texas was at the end of a sleepy branch line, the same locomotive might be there for 1-2 weeks at a time.  As such, I’d photograph one side one day, the other side another day.

Engineer's side view at McAllen, TX on Jan. 15, 1978

Southern Pacific GP9 3438 drew the assignment to be the McAllen switcher in early 1978. I was able to photograph it on two consecutive days, Jan. 15 and 16.

Nose view of SP 3438 at McAllen, TX on Jan. 16, 1978

Note the non-typical numbers in the number board. They should be in the same Roman type style that’s on the cab.

I’ve seen this sans-serif style number style on several other SP locomotives over the years, but they were uncommon.

Fireman's side of the 3438, McAllen, TX on Jan. 16, 1978

In the caption above, I refer to the fireman’s side of the locomotive. That sounds funny, doesn’t it? Actually, the fireman and the head brakeman rode across from the engineer. The conductor rode in the caboose,Conductors rode in the caboose, accompanied by the rear brakeman.

That’s right.  Train crews consisted of 5 employees. It makes you wonder how contemporary two-man crews can get the work done…

SP GP9 3438 mingles with larger units at Los Angeles, CA in May, 1979.

Seventeen months later, we see that SP 3438 has exchanged the solitude of McAllen for the always crowded service tracks at Taylor Yard in Los Angeles.