Here's a somber moment in time for fans of the Southern Pacific and the Utah Railway Company . . . 11 EMD SD45s and 4 EMD F45s are being scrapped at the Utah Railway yard in Martin. Between 1985-1991, the Utah Railway leased 11 former SP EMD SD45s from Helm, utilized to haul unit coal trains over Soldier Summit between Helper and Provo. At that same time, a quad of former BN F45s were also added to this roster, effectively making the Utah a 20 cylinder motor paradise. By 1991, the Utah struck a deal with MK of Boise to lease 11 rebuilt SD40s, at which point all of the SD45 and F45s were retired. By May of that year, Helm leasing sold the fleet to Mountain States Machinery of Price, who scrapped them on site. Select parts from the SD45s and F45s were salvaged (draft gear, electrical equipment, and traction motors) and were shipped away to Helm. Interestingly, this location is where Utah Railway's fleet of steam engines were scrapped when the new Alco RSD-4 diesels were delivered in 1952.
There are times when many engines, cars or cabooses are concentrated in a location. Such sites are for storage, economic reasons, active power needs or for rebuilding. For others, wear and tear have brought their usefulness to and end.
An attempt to put the best picture of engines that represent each of America's railroads. When a better picture of an engine/type is found, it will be added.
