The UP Gila Sub is the ex-Southern Pacific Sunset Route that runs 255 miles from Yuma, AZ, to Tuscon, AZ. When I found out of a possible signal replacements coming this summer, I made plans to go get the remaining SP signals. Plus UP has been putting double track in along this route, and those plans also have replaced alot of the old SP signals too. Roughly only 85 miles of original SP trackage is left with old signals along the Gila.
Early morning finds this eastbound intermodal train from Los Angeles, CA, (Savage Pacific Services) to Englewood, TX, working hard up the 1% grade approaching the siding at Shawmut. The train is down to under 30 mph as these 3 units lift 7200 tons of traffic up this grade. Ex-SP Searchlight signals are still used in this area between Shawmut and Piedra. Time is about to catch up with these old gems, as PTC upgrades and or double tracking projects will spell the end of the heritage thru here.
4247 looks like a fresh repaint? Had some gleam in the early morning light, plus a flag was added.
