—[DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THESE IMAGES]—
Here is are the images (and statements) about these underrated incidents, all listed by volume and issue:
Vol. 1 - #1:
SP 4347’s derailment (image by Nils Gustavson)
Little details I could find about this incident [UNTIL MORE DETAILS COME OUT]
Reportedly, SP SD9E #4347 derailed on the White Hills Branch. This would be the last six-axle unit to operate on the branch line, as the White Hills Branch was later restricted to only four-axle units after the derailment.
Giving that this is the only photo, it is likely that it was running light as a solo(-Dolo) locomotive. or it could have been pulling a very small or short consist or had some units trailing behind it.
I can’t seem to find a report/document about this derailment.
As of 2025, the unit is still in storage at Schellville, California.
Vol 1. - #2:
SP 3346 smashed face-first, don’t know how that happened… (image by Craig Walker)
Vol. 1 - #3:
SP 4328, slightly damaged… (image by Marc McDonald)
Summary
SP SD9E #4328 set out on the house track at the west end of Ventura, CA. Earlier that day it collided with a semi truck that was stuck on the grade crossing near the intersection of Front and Ash Streets. Note the bent handrails in the front, damage to the headlight, and open door at the rear of the locomotive. October 1985.
Vol. 2 - #1:
“According to good sources, SP SD7 1408 was ordered in Apr. 1952 in EMD order 5157, frame 5157-09 ,construcion number 17152 and built with low 65:12 gears as a road frieght locomotive, SP Class DF-114 SP 5287. In the early 60s this class was given more normal 62:15 gearing and in the 1965 renumbering the class was recategorized as switchers, SP 2708, class ES615-1. In January 1974 it was renumbered as SP 1408 to clear the 2700 number block for MP15AC switchers. In May 1980 1408 was upgraded to SD7R SP 1536, Class ES615R-1. In September 1991 the 1536 burned at Pomona and was retired.” -Steve Sloan
“Retired 9/16/91; sold 3/1/92 Deron Manufacturing Co., Spokane.
as per Joseph Strapac’s Southern Pacific Diesel Locomotive Compendium vol-2”
-Chris
in New Zealand
Vol. 2 - #2:
"I was digging to research for more pictures about any SP accidents to discuss here, and I found this claim about SP SD9E #4307 where in July 1989 (not sure about the exact day this happened), the unit at Pomona, California, CAUGHT FIRE! This is a follow-up to SD7R 1536’s fire.
This source here claims that it was the main generator that caught fire (https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,659517,nodelay=1#:~:text=Think%20this%20was%20SD9E%20%234307.%20Its%20main%20generator%20caught%20fire.), and another source claims that the locomotive was scrapped at a company called “Purdie” in 1990.(https://trainweb.us/emdloco/20200.htm#:~:text=burned-,sfs%20Purdie%20.90,-.)
There’s barely any documentation or books or even magazines about this incident. So, it’s probably a rare incident." -LongLiveSP, Altamont Press
Vol. 2 - #3:
SP 4356 derailed? (image by Gary Perazzo)
Vol. 2 - #4:
“According to the Chicago Tribune files, this head-on collision occurred on Wednesday, January 20, 1993, between a BN 15 car local and a SP 92 car freight train. These photos appear to have been taken by a professional photographer, although unidentified.” -Gary Everhart, rrpicturearchives.net
—[DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THESE IMAGES]—