Southern Pacific originally modified 6 GP38-2's to replace the SD9Es in snow service. They were units 4809, 4817, 4839, 4840, 4841 and
4843. All were modified with Icicle breakers, heated horns, grating on the front windows, snow shields, rotating windows and Blomberg "B"
trucks, replacing the as delivered "M" trucks. These engines were also wired to allow a conductor to remotely operate flangers. All were
conveyed to Union Pacific after the merge, and continue in snow service.
| SP # | UP # | Built | Serial | Notes |
| 4809 | 572 | 5/80 | 786272-10 | None |
| 4817 | 580 | 5/80 | 786272-18 | None |
| 4839 | 602 | 6/80 | 786272-40 | None |
| 4840 | 604 | 6/80 | 786272-41 | None |
| 4841 | 600 | 6/80 | 786272-42 | None |
| 4843 | 606 | 7/80 | 786272-44 | None |
After the 1996 merger, UP took control of all the equipment. Originally, all 6 units were kept in snow service. UP removed 606
(SP 4843) at some point from this service and made it into an RC engine. UP modified 585 (SP 4822) to take its place, at some point before 2005. UP then modified
605 (SP 4844) in 2011 for an addition snow service engine. Yet again, UP added another engine to the snow service fleet, UP 569, also in 2011. This engine has
all the above mentioned features as well as a new design of icicle breaker which are also being retrofitted to the older engines, It appears
these breakers are power operated, either by air or electric. They also began to move the horns to the middle of the hood. Starting around 2009 UP converted several
other former SP GP38-2s into snow service as trailing engines by adding snow shields and addition of Blomberg "B" trucks. In 2012 UP added 609 to the snow service fleet as well as a lead engine. UP
has been slowly retrofitting the snow fleet with the new icicle breakers, all weather windows, etc, including adding this to some of the previous trail only snow engines.
| UP # | SP # | Built | Serial | Notes |
| 569 | 4805 | 7/80 | 786272-6 | This engine was modified by UP (2012) to be added to the snow fleet (post SP), New icicle Breakers. |
| 572 | 4809 | 5/80 | 786272-10 | New icicle Breakers |
| 580 | 4817 | 5/80 | 786272-18 | New icicle Breakers. All weather windows added. |
| 585 | 4822 | 7/80 | 786272-23 | Replaced 4843, has new style icicle breakers. |
| 600 | 4841 | 6/80 | 786272-42 | New icicle Breakers, all weather window |
| 602 | 4839 | 6/80 | 786272-40 | New icicle Breakers. All weather windows added. |
| 604 | 4840 | 6/80 | 786272-41 | Lacked snow shields for several years. Reinstalled around 2010. New icicle Breakers |
| 605 | 4844 | 7/80 | 786272-45 | This engine was modified by UP (2011) to be added to the snow fleet (post SP), New icicle Breakers. |
| 606 | 4843 | 7/80 | 786272-44 | Unit was removed from snow service by UP at some point and stripped of its appliances. |
| 609 | 4842 | 7/80 | 786272-43 | This engine was modified by UP (2012) to be added to the snow fleet (post SP), New icicle Breakers. |
| 566 | 4802 | 5/80 | 786272-3 | Trailing engine, since updated with icicle breakers, rotary windows, etc. |
| 567 | 4803 | 5/80 | 786272-4 | Trailing engine |
| 574 | 4811 | 5/80 | 786272-12 | Trailing engine |
| 575 | 4812 | 5/80 | 786272-13 | Trailing engine |
| 576 | 4813 | 5/80 | 786272-14 | Trailing engine |
| 583 | 4820 | 5/80 | 786272-21 | Trailing engine, All weather window. |
| 587 | 4824 | 5/80 | 786272-25 | Trailing engine |
| 589 | 4826 | 6/80 | 786272-27 | Trailing engine |
| 590 | 4827 | 6/80 | 786272-28 | Trailing engine |
Southern Pacific built its current fleet of flangers based on the original design out of the early 1900's. The modern ones all seem to
be built around 1938 or so. These featured a small cabin on one end, leaving the blade mechanism exposed. In the 1950s these were rebuilt
with a wood body covering the entire car. Again in 1971, they were rebuilt with steel sides. During all of these rebuilds the blade
mechanism was never changed. The flangers were wired so they could be controlled from the leading locomotive. In 2004 Union Pacific
began to upgrade the flanger fleet. The original pair were sent to Coast Engine and Equipment Co. in Washington. The rebuilds featured new
trucks, couplers, windows, lighting and other simple upgrades as well as new Yellow paint. Another batch was sent in 2006 to have the same
work done. These emerged with small generators in the carbody as well. The rest of the fleet was upgraded as well by various sources (noted below). In
2010, 325 was rebuilt by the Rosevlle shops after being rebuilt by a contractor in Tracy, CA. It emerged in new Orange paint, with an all weather
window on the side. Inside, they were redone with new flooring, insulation, etc. The rest of the Roseville fleet has been slowly cycled through the shop being rebuilt
to these new standards.
| # | Assigned/location | Notes |
| SPMW 316 | Oakridge, OR | Steel sheathed, Never rebuild in the 1971 program. Appears to be stored. |
| SPMW 318 | Retired | Never rebuilt in 1971, Bay window side. Donated 1981 to CSRM-Sacramento, CA |
| SPMW 319 | Dunsmuir, CA | Rebuilt 1971 to steel sided. Rebuilt Winter 2004 by CEECo. Named "Winter Professionals". |
| SPMW 320 | Roseville, CA | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt Winter 2006 by CEECo. Rebuilt by Roseville shops 2015. Named "Gold Run". Painted Orange. |
| SPMW 321 | LaGrande, OR | Never rebuild in the 1971 program. Reconditioned 2008 by UP in house. |
| SPMW 322 | Retired | Never rebuilt in 1971. Donated 2001 to Train Mountain - Chiloquin, OR |
| SPMW 323 | Klamath Falls, OR | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt 2009 by UP in house. |
| SPMW 324 | Roseville, CA | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt Winter 2004 by CEECo. Named "Snow Fighters". Rebuilt again in 2011 by Roseville Shops, all weather window added, name removed. |
| SPMW 325 | Roseville, CA | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt Spring 2006 in Tracy, CA. Rebuilt again in 2011 by Roseville Shops, all weather window added. Named "Truckee". Painted Orange. |
| SPMW 326 | Roseville, CA | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt 2006 by CEECo. Rebuilt again in 2013 by Roseville Shops, all weather window added. Named "Colfax". Painted Orange. |
| SPMW 328 | Retired | Never rebuilt in 1971. Donated 1981 to PNWC-NRHS-Brooks, OR |
| SPMW 329 | Oakridge,OR | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt 2009 by UP in house. |
| SPMW 330 | Retired | Never rebuilt in 1971. Donated 1981 to SOC-NRHS-Medford, OR |
| SPMW 331 | Roseville, CA | Rebuilt 1971 to steel. Rebuilt 2006 by CEECo. |
Jordan Spreaders have been one of the main snow removal tools on Donner since their inception in the early 1900s. I am not including
a roster of all of SP's Jordans over the years. The following list is solely what is currently in service today for UP on the West Coast, as
their are still several SP Jordans that were not built for snow service in use throughout the system. SP started out in the 1960s with Three of Jordans
new models, the Type J, which is an all new, all hydraulic machine. The spreaders were delivered with medium height front blades, and 2 were broken wing
machines (4030, 4033), one straight wing (4034). Southern Pacific continually upgraded these machines for snow work, such as cab upgrades, rotating front
windows, control stands, heaters, etc.
In 2009 UP contracted with Thunder Machine Works
, who in turn used NMI Industrial as a sub contractor,
and rebuilt a new pair of spreaders, 4031 and 4032. These were never snow duty spreaders. 4032 was rebuilt from UP spreader, 903031. The
rebuilds were from the ground up, with new everything. Main cabs, crew cabs, trucks, generators, were all new. The following spring, 4030 and 4034
were sent for the same treatment. Since then, UP has been sending a pair each year for upgrading from their own original UP spreader fleet.
To learn more about Jordan Spreaders see the following link:
Jordan Spreader Information
| # | Built | Type | Assigned/location | Notes | 4030 | 1/62 | J | Truckee, CA | SP added crew cab. Rebuilt in 2010 by NMI INdustrial. Originally numbered 5490 for a brief period when new. | 4031 | 1974 | J | Truckee, CA | SN 1431. Rebuilt in 2009-10 by NMI INdustrial/Thunder Machine Works. | 4032 | 1970s | J | Truckee, CA | Former UP 903031. Rebuilt in 2009-10 by NMI INdustrial/Thunder Machine Works. New Everything. | 4033 | 1960s | J | Oakridge, OR | SN 908. SP added additional crew cab. Rebuilt by NMI Industrial in 2012. | 4034 | 9-62 | J | Truckee, CA | SP added crew cab. Rebuilt in 2010 by NMI INdustrial. Originally numbered 5491 for a brief period when new. | 8001 | 1974 | J | Klamath Falls, OR | None |
Like most other railroads of the era, Southern Pacific found the rotary’s to be an essential part of snowfighing duty. There are enough resources that document their
steam era, so I will jump right into the diesel era. SP converted their first plow, 7205 to electric operation in 1958. The blades were
powered by a set of 4 traction motors on a pair of shafts, feeding a large central gear. This gear in turn spun the main shaft. Also inside
the carbody was a steam generator, used for keeping vital components (antenna, wing hinges, windows, etc) thawed out. The rotary’s were able
to control the pushing units with their own control stands inside. Originally the rotarys were powered by a trailing EMD F unit. In the
1970s SP began a program to convert retired F7Bs into dedicated rotary power units. The side panels were replaced by welded sheet metal,
steam lines ran around the radiator fans to keep them thawed as well as removal of the traction motors. SP planned to do them for the entire fleet,
but the program was canceled. 4 units were completed, and another was almost finished, which is now at CSRM. In March of 2012, UP sent SPMW 207, and B unit
8207, to Albia, Iowa, to be rebuilt. The rebuild includes a new carbody, windows, controls, all new traction motors, lights, roller bearing shafts, heat, steam generator,
as well as many other upgrades. The B unit was completely repowered with a new 12-645 engine, generator, cooling equipment and electrical gear. The pair finally returned
in November of 2013, and final outfitting finished in February 2014. The rotary was moved East on flatcar KRL 152, and West on QTTX 130503. The B unit moved on its own wheels. In November of 2017
UP opted to rebuilt rotary 222. NMI Industrial in Sacramento did the rebuild. 222 was striped to a bare frame and rebuilt from the ground up. Only the trucks, blade and original frame is original, with everything else
new. To go with 222, UP sent surplus F9B unit DRGW 5763, now renumbered SPMW 8222, from Cheyenne to Roseville. NMI also did the rebuild on this, bringing it up to the same standards as 8207.
| # | Built | Serial | Builder | Status | Location | Previous Numbers | Converted | Notes |
| 205 | 11/1920 | 56591 | Alco-Cooke | Retired | Sacramento, CA | 715 (1st), 706 (2nd), 7205 (3rd) | 1958 | Retired and donated by UP to CSRM in 2005. Last used 1967? No wings. Assigned to Sparks, NV until 1994, re-assigned Truckee, CA in 1999. |
| 206 | 3/1925 | 65440 | Alco-Cooke | Retired | Chiloquin, OR | 709 (1st), 710 (2nd), 7206 (3rd) | 1958 | Retired and donated by UP to Train Mountain in 2001. Last used 1982?. Wide wings. Last Assigned to Eugene, OR. |
| 207 | 10/1926 | 67038 | Alco-Brooks | Rebuilt | Roseville, CA | 708 (1st), 711 (2nd), 7207 (3rd) | 1967 | Last used 1995? Rebuilt by Relco, 2012-13. Assigned to Roseville, CA. Used 3/2016, 2/2017 |
| 208 | 9/1927 | 67429 | Alco-Brooks | Retired | Portola, CA | 707 (1st), 712 (2nd), 7208 (3rd) | 1969 | Donated to WPRRM 2005. Last steam rotary SP used. No wings. Last used 1982 with SD9 4319. Assigned to Roseville, CA, reassigned to Sparks, NV by 1994. Reassigned to Truckee, CA in 1999. |
| 209 | 9/1929 | 68038 | Alco-Brooks | Active | Roseville, CA | 706 (1st), 713 (2nd), 7209 (3rd) | 1968 | Last used 3/2011. Wide wing. Assigned to Roseville, CA. Used 2/2017 |
| 210 | 3/1925 | 69019 | Alco-Schenectady | Retired | Truckee, CA | 7210 (3rd) | 1958 | Last used 1973. No wings. Donated to CSRM in 1983. Donated to Truckee Donner RR Soc. in 2008. Last Assigned to Sparks, NV. |
| 211 | 10/1937 | 69020 | Alco-Schenectady | Active | Roseville, CA | 7211(1st) | 1958 | Last used 3/2011. Wide wing. Assigned to Roseville, CA. |
| 221 | 11/1922 | 58143 | Alco-Cooke | Retired | Roseville, CA | 7211(1st) | 1966 | Last used 1998?. Wide wing. Assigned to Roseville, CA. Retired in 2014 and donated to the City of Roseville, CA. Restored as 7221 and placed on display. |
| 222 | 11/1923 | 65353 | Alco-Cooke | Rebuilt | Roseville, CA | 718 (1st), 709 (2nd), 7222 (3rd) | 1958 | Stored OOS in Roseville, wide wings. Last used? Once assigned to Klamath Falls, CA. Sent to be rebuilt 9/2017. Work completed 2/2019. |
| 8205 | 6/49 | 7136 | EMD | SP 6145B (1st) SP 8090 (2nd) | Never | Set aside to be converted 1970, but was never completed. | ||
| 8206 | 6/49 | 7143 | EMD | SP 6148C (1st) SP 8097 (2nd) SP/TNO 541 (3rd) | Never | Set aside to be converted 1970, but was never completed. | ||
| 8207 | 2/1953 | 18146 | EMD | Active | Roseville, CA | SP 8299 | 1970 | Rebuilt 2012-13 by Relco, with SPMW 207. |
| 8208 | 12/1952 | 17223 | EMD | Active | Roseville, CA | SP/TNO 545 | 1970 | w/ Rotary 209 |
| 8209 | 6/1949 | 7134 | EMD | Retired | Sacramento, CA | SP 6144B (1st), SP 8088 (2nd), TNO 540(3rd) | 1970 | Was never finished, now at CSRM, Supposed to be Scrapped. |
| 8211 | 2/1953 | 18161 | EMD | Active | Roseville, CA | SP 8291 | 1970 | w/ Rotary 211 |
| 8221 | 2/1953 | 18150 | EMD | Retired | Portola, CA | SP 8300 | 1970? | w/ Rotary 208. Donated by UP in 2005 to WPRRM |
| 8222 | 12/1953 | 17222 | EMD | SP/TNO 554 | Never | Set aside to be converted 1970, but was never completed. | ||
| 8222 (nd) | 9/1955 | 20532 | EMD | Active | Roseville, CA | DRGW 5763 | New | Rebuilt by UP in 2018 for snow service, renumbered 8222. |
Before the GP38-2's took over the snow duty, a fleet of SD9E's were converted for use. These engines had all of the same features outlined in the
GP38-2 chapter such as icicle breakers and rotating windows (on some). The following table outlines the units that were converted for snow service. Note that they
are in no particular order. The SD9E snow fleet was phased out in the late 1980s with the arrival of the converted GP38-2's. Original numbers for these will be
added at a later date.
| SP # | Built | Serial | Notes |
| 4305 | 5/54 | 19459 | None |
| 4317 | 4/55 | 19984 | None |
| 4319 | 1/55 | 20223 | None |
| 4338 | unkw | unkw | None |
| 4343 | 3/55 | 19944 | None |
| 4348 | unkw | unkw | None |
| 4349 | 2/55 | 19931 | None |
| 4350 | unkw | unkw | None |
| 4364 | unkw | unkw | None |
| 4372 | 5/55 | 20211 | None |
| 4373 | 5/55 | 20215 | None |
| 4389 | 3/55 | 19954 | None |
| 4427 | unkw | unkw | None |
| 4438 | 2/55 | 19938 | None |
| 4450 | unkw | unkw | None |
| 4451 | 4/54 | 19452 | None |
Most of this information is compiled from locomtoive footnotes on various pages (RR Picture Archives, The Diesel Shop), as well as first hand research. Rotary roster information is from G. M. Bests book "Snowplow", of course updated to current status.
Info on the B units is from Andrew Toppan's online roster (A great tool, but severly out of date at this point).
At some point in the near future, I would like to add the Rotary consits as well as photos.
Last update 1/28/2019
