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PHO-F2-G7P3
π Vintage 1977 Southern California Diesel Railfan Photo Album
SP 9950 GE U50 β’ UP 6931 DDA40X β’ Amtrak SDP40F β’ Santa Fe β’ Cotton Belt
πΈ Description
Up for sale is a vintage 1977 mini railfan photo album containing 14 small color railroad photographs. Each photo measures approximately 3.5 x 3.5 inches.
This small spiral-bound album has a strong Southern California diesel-era railroad feel, with handwritten notes identifying locations including Colton Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, and other Southern California railroad scenes.
The standout subjects are Southern Pacific 9950, a rare GE U50 diesel locomotive, and Union Pacific 6931, an EMD DDA40X Centennial. The album also includes Amtrak 500 and Amtrak 556 SDP40F passenger locomotives, Union Pacific 1039, Cotton Belt 9002, and Santa Fe blue/yellow diesel power.
π Locomotive Highlights
- π Southern Pacific 9950 GE U50, rare eight-axle Southern Pacific βBaby Hueyβ diesel subject.
- π Union Pacific 6931 DDA40X Centennial, giant UP high-horsepower diesel locomotive subject.
- π Amtrak 500 SDP40F, early Amtrak long-distance passenger power.
- π Amtrak 556 SDP40F, additional 1970s Amtrak passenger diesel view.
- π Cotton Belt 9002, Southern Pacific family / SSW diesel subject.
- π Union Pacific 1039, UP yard or switcher locomotive subject.
- π Santa Fe blue/yellow diesel power, including road numbers appearing 5519 / 5516.
- π Handwritten 1977 notes identify Colton Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, Amtrak Sunset Ltd. at Colton Tower, and related Southern California railroad scenes.
π Why Youβll Love It
This album is a serious little diesel-era time capsule. The combination of SP 9950 GE U50 and UP 6931 DDA40X Centennial gives it a strong βbig diesel monsterβ angle that Southern Pacific and Union Pacific collectors will notice.
The Southern Pacific U50s were unusual, massive, twin-engine locomotives, and SP owned only a small group of them. The fact that this album includes multiple SP 9950 views makes it much stronger than a generic railfan photo lot.
The UP 6931 DDA40X adds another heavy-hitter subject. The DDA40X Centennial locomotives were among Union Pacificβs most famous high-horsepower diesel units, making this a very appealing piece for UP diesel fans.
Add in Amtrak SDP40F passenger power, Cotton Belt 9002, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, and handwritten notes, and this becomes a compact but information-rich Southern California railfan album.
π§Ύ Included Subject Breakdown
- πΈ 14 small color railroad photographs total.
- πΈ Each photo measures approximately 3.5 x 3.5 inches.
- π Blue mini spiral-bound Main Photo Service Inc. album format.
- π Multiple Southern Pacific 9950 GE U50 views.
- π Union Pacific 6931 DDA40X Centennial view.
- π Amtrak 500 and Amtrak 556 SDP40F passenger locomotive views.
- π Union Pacific 1039 yard / switcher locomotive views.
- π Cotton Belt 9002 diesel locomotive view.
- π Santa Fe blue/yellow diesel power, with road numbers appearing 5519 / 5516.
- π Handwritten notes identify Colton Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, and Carson-area railroad context.
- π Notes include Jan. 23, 1977, Jan. 29, 1977, and Jan. 30, 1977 references.
π Railroad History Notes
The biggest Southern Pacific highlight is SP 9950 GE U50. The GE U50 was a huge eight-axle, twin-engine diesel locomotive from the experimental high-horsepower era. Southern Pacific owned only a few of these locomotives, and all U50s were eventually scrapped, giving vintage photos of SP 9950 strong diesel-collector appeal.
Union Pacific 6931 is another major highlight. The DDA40X βCentennialβ locomotives were among Union Pacificβs most recognizable big diesel locomotives and remain favorite subjects for UP collectors.
The Amtrak images add a nice passenger-rail angle. The SDP40F was Amtrakβs early long-distance passenger locomotive type, making the 1977 Amtrak 500 and 556 photos especially period-correct.
The handwritten notes add important provenance by tying the album to Colton Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, and other Southern California railroad locations.
π΅οΈ Identification Note
Locomotive identifications are based on visible road numbers, markings, handwritten album notes, image details, and provided research notes. Several numbers are visible and readable, including Southern Pacific 9950, Union Pacific 6931, Amtrak 500, Amtrak 556, Union Pacific 1039, and Cotton Belt 9002.
Some views are small, soft, or partially obscured due to the original photo size, album glare, and age-related image softness. Santa Fe numbers are listed carefully as appearing to be 5519 / 5516 where visibility is softer.
β
Condition
Vintage mini spiral-bound railroad photo album containing 14 small color railroad photographs. Each photo measures approximately 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Album shows normal vintage handling wear from age and storage, including age toning, light surface wear, softness, and some glare/shadowing visible from the album pages.
Blue album cover shows visible wear/peeling on the front. Photos remain attached in the album. Several locomotive numbers are visible and readable, including Southern Pacific 9950, Union Pacific 6931, Amtrak 500, Amtrak 556, Union Pacific 1039, and Cotton Belt 9002.
Album includes handwritten notes identifying 1977 dates and locations including Colton Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, and other Southern California railroad locations. Some locomotive numbers are partially soft or difficult to confirm due to the small original photo size.
π Item Specifics
- π Type: Photograph Album
- π Subject: Trains / Locomotives / Railroad
- π
Year: 1977
- πΈ Photo Size: Approx. 3.5 x 3.5 inches each
- πΈ Number Of Photos: 14
- π Format: Mini spiral-bound photo album
- π Railroads Featured: Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Amtrak, Santa Fe, Cotton Belt
- π Notable Subjects: SP 9950 GE U50, UP 6931 DDA40X, Amtrak 500 SDP40F, Amtrak 556 SDP40F, UP 1039, Cotton Belt 9002, Santa Fe 5519/5516
- π Locations Noted: Colton Yard, Colton Tower, East L.A. Yard, Santa Fe Hobart Yard, Carson area
- π Region: Southern California / Western United States railroad interest
- π Album Maker: Main Photo Service Inc. Santa Ana, California
- π¦ SKU: PHO-F2-G7P3
- π¦ BIN: F2
π¦ Shipping & Care
Ships free with tracking. This vintage photo album will be packed carefully with protection against bending, corner damage, cover wear, and moisture. Paper and photo collectibles are handled with care so they arrive safely and ready for your railroad collection.
π Big Diesel Buffet In A Tiny Album
Add it to your watchlist, favorite the store, and check back often for more vintage railroad photos, railfan albums, aviation archive finds, and estate-sale treasures.
New finds roll in regularly β sometimes the smallest albums carry the heaviest locomotives. πΈπ
