Still Going at 70! Sierra Grain Terminal SD9 #3 switching at Hughson, CA скачать в хорошем качестве

Still Going at 70! Sierra Grain Terminal SD9 #3 switching at Hughson, CA

Throughout California's Central Valley there are several grain terminals and agricultural facilities that still use first generation EMD diesels to switch out their cars. One such example can be found in the town of Hughson where SD9 #3, a product from the mid to late 1950s, manages the Sierra Grain Terminal. All of these facilities, including SGT, operate on an as-needed basis, so seeing their engines in operation can be a challenge. While driving up to Northern California on October 15, 2025 I stopped by the Sierra Grain Terminal hoping that it would be one of their busy days. Lady luck was on my side that day as number 3 happened to be idling when I pulled up! With most of the day's switching already done by the time I showed up, I only managed to catch number 3 making a few back and forth moves before it was put away. An Amtrak San Joaquin, a BNSF intermodal, and a BNSF manifest also passed by on the adjacent Stockton subdivision in the 90 minutes I was there. But it was still amazing being able to see and hear a 70 year old first generation EMD in revenue operation rather than in a museum! Anyone who is a fan of old school diesels should seriously consider a trip to CA's Central Valley sometime! #3's heritage is a bit of a mystery. The only info. I could find says that SGT purchased it from Ozark Mountain Railcar a few years ago and that it might be a former Norfolk Southern engine. If anyone has any more info on this engine's history please share in the comments!