Southern Pacific #3709

Diesel-Electric Locomotive

Built by Electro-Motive Division of GM, LaGrange,IL; August 1959.  SP 5873 (3709) was part of SP’s last order of GP9’s, and was the second GP9 produced for the SP with a low nose. It was delivered in August 1959 with serial number 25632 and frame number 5608-2. This locomotive was built as a Phase III unit with 48” fans, and painted in the “Bloody Nose” paint scheme. These were among the last GP9s built by EMD for a US customer, and the only order of low nose GP9s built for a major railroad.

SP 5873 and her extra train take pause at El Paso, Tx in October of 1960. University of Texas at El Paso Library Special Collections Department, Ernest Hoppock Railroad Collection, MS160

In 1965, SP renumbered all of their GP9 locomotives in roughly the same order they were delivered, and at this time SP 5873 became SP 3709. It appears this loco never went though one of the big SP rebuild programs, but there are indications that it was rebuilt at some point by SP. SP retired it from the roster in December 1986.

SP 3709 at Taylor Yard in Los Angeles, CA on May 14, 1982. Craig Walker Photo.

 

Seen here in the middle of a lashup in February 1987, SP 3709 provides some extra power at New Orleans, LA. Earl Hampton Photo.

In February 1987 it was sold to the U.S. Army Transportation School as their 002. Later it became Department of Transportation 1401 and then the United States Marine Corps 296619. At one time the lettering on the side said U.S. Army, but the Army portion has since been painted out – most likely because this unit has been assigned to the USMC’s Camp Pendleton.  We believe that the locomotive last operated on Camp Pendleton some time in 2011 or 2012.

PSRMA would like to thank Bill Sign’s Trucking & Bob’s Crane (both from Lakeside, Ca) for their help moving this locomotive to Campo, Ca and safely returning her to the rails. We would also like to thank Asbury Environmental Services for removing and recycling the fluids from it.

The locomotive came to PSRMA in near-operating condition. Between 2019 and 2023, volunteers restored the locomotive to operating condition. This included reinstalling the numerous components that were disconnected or removed during the move to Campo. New fuel injectors, batteries, battery cables, and a radio were installed, the fuel tank was steam cleaned, and a fresh load of lubricating oil was added to the engine. The locomotive ran under its own power at Campo for the first time in October 2023, and pulled its first museum passenger train on January 20, 2024. The locomotive now regularly shares train service duties with its sister locomotive, SP 3873. Between pulling trains, SP 3709 is receiving a full cosmetic restoration. Restoration plans include replacement of rust damaged body panels, replacement of the dynamic brake system removed by the military, re-installation of the full SP-style light packages and a fresh paint job in the “bloody nose” style when time and funds permit.

PSRMA would like to thank the Emery Rail Heritage Trust for their generous grants in 2019 and 2021, totaling $23,000, which funded the purchase of new batteries, lubricating oil, and sheet metal for SP 3709. Our thanks to the Emery Heritage Railway Trust for their generous support over the years towards restoring the SP 3709.

PSRMA is actively seeking donors and volunteers to contribute to the restoration of SP 3709. Those interested in donating towards the project can donate to the SP 3709 restricted fund by visiting our Donation page, and selecting “SP 3709” from the drop-down. Those interested in volunteering on the restoration work can contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@psrm.org.

Reference: Craig Walker, Richard Percy and Joe Strapac