Uploaded September 2007 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Daylights, Cab Forwards & Early Diesels
From the vaults of the Southern Pacific Railroad comes a collection of rare vintage films never before released to the public. Part of the footage shown here was shot in 1941 for a promotional movie called This is My Railroad, but World War II intervened and in 1947 the film was entirely reshot, leaving the original footage unused.
You'll see marvelous images of early GS-class steam locomotives on the Coast Daylight and Noon Daylight climbing Santa Susana Pass, speeding along the Pacific Ocean and in San Luis Obispo. Also included is a rare shot of the Sunbeam in Texas.
There are many scenes of the awesome SP Cab Forwards pulling freight on the Coast Line and over Tehachapi and Donner Passes. These mighty giants are also seen pulling passenger trains through the Sierra Nevadas. Mikado and Mountain types make appearances as well.
A section on early diesels showcases many of SP's first-generation models, including Alco PAs; EMD E6s, E7s, F7s and GP7s; and Fairbanks-Morse Trainmasters in freight service. It's an astonishing collection from the cameras of the SP cinematographers that will thrill every rail enthusiast!
Daylights, Cab Forwards & Early Diesels
From the vaults of the Southern Pacific Railroad comes a collection of rare vintage films never before released to the public. Part of the footage shown here was shot in 1941 for a promotional movie called This is My Railroad, but World War II intervened and in 1947 the film was entirely reshot, leaving the original footage unused.
You'll see marvelous images of early GS-class steam locomotives on the Coast Daylight and Noon Daylight climbing Santa Susana Pass, speeding along the Pacific Ocean and in San Luis Obispo. Also included is a rare shot of the Sunbeam in Texas.
There are many scenes of the awesome SP Cab Forwards pulling freight on the Coast Line and over Tehachapi and Donner Passes. These mighty giants are also seen pulling passenger trains through the Sierra Nevadas. Mikado and Mountain types make appearances as well.
A section on early diesels showcases many of SP's first-generation models, including Alco PAs; EMD E6s, E7s, F7s and GP7s; and Fairbanks-Morse Trainmasters in freight service. It's an astonishing collection from the cameras of the SP cinematographers that will thrill every rail enthusiast!
