| The Southern Pacific loved 1500-horsepower EMD switchers! After buying 240 SW1500's and 12 MP15DC's, the railroad was the first customer for the MP15AC. Between August and October 1975 SP received 58 units,!2702-2759, and the first dozen were assigned to Avondale Yard near New Orleans; although a few of these were used elsewhere across southern Louisiana. Although usually used in pairs and trios, here we see five of the new units -- 2706, 2709, 2708, 2702 and 2703 -- on a westbound transfer run approaching the Huey P. Long Bridge at Central Avenue. The locomotives are literally clean enough to eat off of! These would be the last switch engines purchased by the railroad. |