SP MWT #SPMW-5810, MWTK #SPMW-4256, MWTK #SPMW-63113, and MWF #SPMW-509473

: SPMW-5810

These former SP maintenance of way (MoW) equipment are found at Grand Junction, Colorado.

MWT #SPMW-58(10) is the tool car for UP Grand Junction Wreck Outfit. It once sported large speed lettering and “TOOL CAR HOUSTON DIVISION”[1]. Letters 1 and 0 were dropped from the number unnoticed, and finally covered with silver paint.

[1] 1995 photo of SPMW-5810 by Duane Simmons;
* 1998 photo of SPMW-58 by James R. Griffin;
* 2006 photo of SPMW-58 by Rodney J. Sorensen;


: SPMW-4256
: SPMW-63113

MWTK #SPMW-4256 is a water car for the fire train. It seems rebuilt from one of SP #58575 – 58774 (later 62798 – 62995) series O-50-13 class tank cars built in 1942.

The Official Railway Equipment Register for July 1974 shows the O-50-13 class tank cars with 75 cars in place, described as follows:
AAR Designation T and description “Tank, Stl.” and capacity 110,000 Lbs.

* 1978 photo of SP #62820 by Ron Hawkins;

MWTK #SPMW-63113 is also a water car for the fire train. It was rebuilt from one of SP #63105 – 63135 series O-100-4 class tank cars built in 1965.

The Official Railway Equipment Register for July 1974 shows the O-100-4 class tank cars with 28 cars of possible 31 in place, described as follows:
AAR Designation T and description “Tank, Stl., (Sulfuric Acid), Not Equipped With Bottom Outlet, 2” Safety Vents in Place of Safety Valves” and capacity 200,000 Lbs.

* 1978 photo of SP #63113 by John Huey;


: SPMW-509473

MWF #SPMW-509473 is a bulkhead flat car assigned for MoW service. According to Southern Pacific Color Guide to Passenger and Freight Equipment Vol. 2, SP #509473 was one of SP #509325 – 509574 series SP F-70-50 class cars built by Gunderson Brothers Engineering Co. in 1968.

The Official Railway Equipment Register for July 1974 shows the SP #509325 – 509574 series cars with 243 of possible 250 in place, described as follows:
AAR Designation FMS and description “Flat, Stl., Blkhd.” and capacity 149,000 Lbs.

　
暗号のような記事タイトルだが、先週に引き続きSouthern Pacificの落ち穂拾いである。以前訪れたコロラド州Grand Junctionのヤードに留置されていたSPの事業用車両を紹介する。

MWT #SPMW-58(10)は、Grand Junctionに駐在する救援編成のTool Car。かつては側面に大きなSpeed Letteringを施されていた。恐らく荷物車からの改造車だろう。余剰のカブース用にでも振り替えたのだろうか、台車が車体の長さに比べて小振りである。

MWTK #SPMW-4256およびMWTK #SPMW-63113は、Grand Junctionに駐在する消防編成のWater Car。２両を太いホースでつないでいる。放水銃を装備する、リベットが魅力的な車両は1942年製。N scaleならMTL製品の加工でと思うが、手すりに悩みそうだ。

MWF #SPMW-509473は、資材を運搬する汎用車。1968年製というから事業用車両としては比較的新しい。載っているのは新品の電信柱に見える。今でも沿線に並ぶ「ハエたたき」を更新することがあるのだろうか。