I’ve read all of the replies and they all offer great information. I model the SP myself and will add, that most of the car on the “Lark” are the same as the "Cascade and were all originally by Pullman. Most of the car can be found at Union Station Products. These will be exact car side and must be built. Modeling skills are needed, but it will be a great adventure. The “E” unit were tried in the LA pool north for a while and then move to the east for the Golden State and Sunset Limited for two reason. 1) No dynamics, 2) They didn’t pull worth a darn in the hill from the bay area north. Thats why SP bought PA’s. Hope this helps
During the steam era, the streamlined Lark was powered by a 4-8-4. In 1947, three-unit EMD E units were used. When SP began receiving Alco P locos, they began to be integrated into the train. Later on, EMD F steam-boilered units were used. The result was some very interesting motive power consists. Here are examples:
Train 76, February 1, 1961: PA2, E7B, PB2, PB2
Train 76, July 29, 1961: E9A, E7B, E9A
Train 75, December 23, 1961: PA2, PB2, E7B, E7A
Train 76, March 4, 1962: E9A, E7B, PA2
Train 76, March 3, 1962: PA1, E7B, GP9
Train 76, April 29, 1965: F7A (no steam), F7B, F7B, F7B
Train 76, January 1, 1966: FP7, F7B, F7B, F7B, FP7
SP’s later E units (E8 and E9) came equipped with dynamic brakes. The E9As even came originally equipped with MU hoses on the front!