Locomotive Spotlight #10-2022 / Southern Pacific E7A #6003

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Spotlight #10-2022

Southern Pacific EMD E7A #6003

 

Welcome to another locomotive spotlight!! Today we'll take a look at Southern Pacific EMD E7A #6003 and compare it to my recently purchased HO scale Proto 2000 model.

 

EMD E7 Prototype Information

The E7 is a two thousand horsepower passenger locomotive built between 1945 and 1949 by General Motors Electro Motive Division at LaGrange, Illinois. The unit rode on A1A-A1A trucks and was powered by two 12 cylinder 567 prime movers. The E7 was the eighth passenger unit produced by EMD with a total of 428 cab units and 82 booster units built.

The Southern Pacific purchased five E7A units, numbered 6000A-6004A and ten E7B units numbered 6000B,C - 6004 B,C. The SP rebuilt another unit, the 6017, classed as an E7m from an E2A to E7A standards. The 6000-6002 series were delivered in this scheme.

The number board indicates the train number, #4, the eastbound Golden State.

"THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC'S 'GOLDEN STATE'" by Robert Huffstutter is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/?ref=openverse.

SP E7As 6003ABC and 6004ABC were the first units to appear in the "Daylight Scheme" with "Shasta Daylight" lettering and medallions 

The Shasta Daylight train was delayed due to steel shortages but the EMDs were able to be delivered. The engines soon lost the Shasta Daylight lettering and medallions and were lettered for the SP with the sunset medallion similar to the E8A below and put into the Los Angeles diesel passenger pool. 

"Southern Pacific Special -- 19 Photos" by railfan 44 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.

See Espee Archive link below for additional information.

 

The Model

In November 2022 a long search for a reasonably priced Proto 2000 Southern Pacific E unit in the daylight paint scheme finally bore fruit. I found a like new E7A #6003 in a buy it now ebay listing below my targeted price and made the purchase.

Unfortunately the model was damaged in transit.

When I picked up the box from my driveway and noted the engine was sliding around inside I knew there would be trouble. And there was. That big hole should have a coupler arm in it. All of this with a perfect box and a locomotive packed in Styrofoam peanuts.

Most of the damage was done to the rear of the locomotive and the front coupler was broken.

Once I was able to get the shell off I found most of the parts including the coupler swing arm inside. 

I contacted the seller and provided him with these photos. He was apologetic and gracious offering a full refund and to pay the shipping cost to return to the engine to him. After I test ran the power chassis and was happy how it ran I thought I could fix it up and get it back in service. We settled on a partial refund that we were both happy with. 

The rear coupler swivel arm was broken and not salvageable. I took the front swivel arm off and transplanted it to the rear of the frame. I then made this coupler mount using Styrene, a Kadee #5 coupler and a Kadee coupler box.

The 6003 is now ready for service. The number boards indicate the E7A is assigned to SP Train #3, The westbound Golden State Limited, that ran between Chicago and Los Angles from 1902-1968. See link below for additional information.

The rear of the unit doesn't look that bad.

Window maker was used to fill in the holes where the broken pieces could not be replaced and red spice acrylic hobby paint was used to touch up the rear. The front swivel arm is now on the rear to allow the engine to haul passenger cars around tighter curves than the fixed coupler on the front.

Here is the reason for the purchase! The SP 6003 is coupled up to an eight car IHC passenger set painted in daylight colors with the name "Sunbeam". The Sunbeam was carded as SP Train 13/14 that ran between Houston and Dallas Texas from 1937 to 1955.

The IHC eight car set was just upgraded with metal wheelsets. McHenry Couplers were added years ago along with additional weight. Check the link below for more on working with the IHC-AHM-Rivarossi passenger cars.  

On the NYCTL the SP train's colorful consist will be a welcome addition to the annual Holiday passenger trains that pass thru Empire City Station. Holiday Trackage Rights have been granted!

SP E7A #6003 in Holiday Passenger Service

Final Comments

Obviously the addition of this locomotive to my fleet didn't start out well to put in mildly. I was impressed with the ebay seller's handling of the issue and happy I took the discounted repair instead of  full refund return option. The P-2000 E7A has the muscle to easily haul the eight car train plus a track cleaning car at speed and up the grades from Empire City Station to Terminal Yard just as I hoped it would.

My five year old grandson also rigorously tested the E7A and IHC passenger cars with sustained running at well over a hundred miles per hour. The set is now Grandpa and Grandson approved!

Additional Reading

Southern Pacific Train 3/4 "The Golden State Limited"

Photos of SP #6003

Espee Modelers Archive

Sunbeam, Train #13

Working with IHC-AHM-Rivarossi passenger cars.