Spirit That Won The West

Following the Southern Pacific's absorption by Rio Grande Industries, the parent company of the Denver Rio Grande Western, the promotional "Spirit of the West" excursion gave a new slogan to the final identity of the SP.

 

Following the excursion, "Spirit That Won The West" became the new marketing slogan for the Southern Pacific. In many ways this was very true, most of the communities along the SP and its predecessor roads were railroad towns. What might be the most famous example of the slogan's use was its mention in the Ballad of the Southern Pacific, which was used by SP's Corporate Communications. However, when UP took over in 1996, unfortunately this identity would die along with the scarlet and grey. Thankfully, 30 years later plenty remains of the railroad that won the west.

 

Along one of, if not the most famous SP line, one of many out of service signal bridge sits dormant. This bridge was put up by the Southern Pacific, so is there really a better way to shoot it than with an SP painted motor leading under it? When I had gotten word that morning from a friend of mine it would be leading MRVNP, this was the first shot that came to mind. I had previously shot Big Boy, stack trains, and spreaders here, but yet to shoot an SP. Since I did not want to give up that opportunity, I raced here after catching the train at Casa Loma, just to make sure I would not miss it. A few others and I waited for awhile, but thankfully not extremely long as the manifest was making great time over the mountain. Once the train cleared, we got on the road to continue to Reno.

 

While the unmistakable scheme may be fading fast, for now the scarlet and grey still remains as a sight on the mainline.

Done