appropriate SP Mt-4 consists

I just bought a Genesis Mt-4 #4350 (no skyline casing), and wondered what an appropriate consist would be. I know that the Mountains handled a lot of the bay area commutes, as well as mainline passenger trains, and I think they did their share of work over Donner. I am trying to figure out what kind of equipment would be appropriate for it where. UP San Francisco Limited cars over Donner? Lark/Overland Limited cars? Heavyweights? Reefer blocks in the valley (I'd assume the loco is too light, though...)?

Also, anyone know where 4350 spent its life?

 

Looks like you need to pick up a copy of The 4300 4-8-2's by Robert Church. He has it showing the 4350 first assigned to the Coast Division hauling the Lark and other 1st class passenger trains when not on the Lark. It also shows the 4-8-2's pulling express reefer blocks and freight extras.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark. And, the book sounds fantastic. I'll look for one.

 

It's published by Signature Press. Between models trains and railroad books, it
keeps me broke.

 

I hear you. RR books cost me quite a bit, and I've avoided buying models/brass until recently. Fortunately, I found the 4300 book for $20 delivered from an Amazon affiliate. (Eb*y didn't have it.) But the $20's add up!

 

That's a good price. Are you going to be getting a GS-4 too?

 

Eventually, when I find nice one at a decent price. The ACs are awfully nice, too. And the Pacifics. Ug.

 

Those MT's were a pretty versatile locomotive. I've got film showing one of them running as front helper to the "City of San Francisco" between Roseville and Norden over the Donner Pass line, and also film of them running reefer extras up and down the Valley Lines. They also double-headed running the "San Joaquin Daylight" over the Tehachapi's (given a modified 'Daylight' paint scheme on the tenders).
Though mainly designed as a passenger locomotive, it wasn't unusual to see them wheeling freights on the SP's more level routes in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys later in their careers.
A very successful locomotive, IMO.
Tom

 

Thanks, Tom. Is the film "SP Vintage West" by any chance? If so, my local library has it.

Also, were the MT-4's in their pre-skyline casing form? Thanks!

 

kpp:

The footage I have is from a 3-part video series called Southern Pacific put out by Video Rails in their 'classic collector's series.' One volume concentrates on the Roseville-Donner Pass line, one on the Coast Line and the third on the Valley and SF Bay area traffic.

IIRC, the MT's are shown both with and without the 'skyline casing'.

Tom

 

I have that one too. It is a good one. I especially enjoyed The Coast Line chapter.
Another video is Greg Scholl's Southern Pacific Overland Route featuring Mountains, Daylights, AC's and early diesels. There is some duplication with the Video Rails production.

Mark