A westbound Southern Pacific manifest rounds Sullivan’s Curve, with four six-axle EMD’s leading. My luck with the SP seemed to be questionable. Usually the lead units were filthy, and the rare clean leader always seemed be compromised, like this SD45 with most of the hood doors open. This was one of the “red lettering” units, reportedly having the unusual scheme due to the Scotchlite white reflective lettering cracking and peeling, revealing the SP scarlet base coat.
