Southern Pacific 4404

Southern Pacific 4404
Type and origin References: Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division Serial number 20206 Model EMD SD9 EMD SD9E Build date April 1955 Rebuild date September 15th, 1975
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 40 in (1.016 m) Prime mover EMD 567B Engine type V16 diesel Cylinders 16
Performance figures Power output 1,750 hp (1,300 kW)
Career Operators Southern Pacific Transportation Company, Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Western Rail Inc. Numbers 5428 (1955-1965), 3906 (1965-1977), 4404 (1975-present) Retired September 18th, 1995 Disposition Under ownership of Western Rail Inc.

Southern Pacific 4404 is an EMD SD9E diesel locomotive that was originally built in April 1955 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

History

Revenue service

4404 had begun its life as Southern Pacific SD9 #5428 upon being delivered in 1956 and was first painted in the Southern Pacific's "Black Widow" livery but would be repainted into the Southern Pacific's "Bloody Nose" livery later on in its career. #5428 was later renumbered to #3906 in 1965 by the Southern Pacific's 1965 renumbering plan.

On September 15th, 1975, the Southern Pacific Railroad rebuilt the #3906 into an SD9E and renumbered by the Southern Pacific as #4404 in addition to plumbing and electrical work. The main spotting feature of the upgrade that was given to the 4404 was the addition of a Farr air filter that was located in a Saddle Style box which was located behind the cab and forward of the dynamic brakes.

Retirement and preservation

After running for a total of thirty years of service on the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, on September 18th, 1995, Southern Pacific SD9E #4404 was officially retired from service on the Southern Pacific. The 4404 would eventually be donated to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum (WPRM) on December 17, 1991.

In 2006, Southern Pacific SD9E #4404 had met up with another former Southern Pacific locomotive at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum which was Southern Pacific SD9E #4450 (also nicknamed "Huff"), this had occurred when #4450 was sold to the WPRM from the Golden Gate Railroad Museum (GGRM) when the GGRM was evicted from Hunters Point back in 2005 and moved to Sunol.

In 2013, Southern Pacific #4404 was declared surplus to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum's collection along with SD9E #4450, and although No. 4450 was scrapped due to its poor condition and lack of alignment control couplers, #4404 was not scrapped and was instead put up for sale for $40,000 (Present day inflation $). It remained on sale until Western Rail Inc. decided to purchase the locomotive following an agreement with the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.

See also

• Southern Pacific 4450
• Southern Pacific 4451
• Southern Pacific 5472

Further reading

• Withers, Paul K. (1996). Diesel Era November/December 1996, Vol 7 No.6. Withers Publishing. Search this book on
• The Train Sheet - Issue 164 (PDF). Feather River Rail Society. 2014. Search this book on
• McClure, Rod (2013). BILL OF SALE AND SALES AGREEMENT - Southern Pacific SD9 Locomotive 4404 (PDF). Feather River Rail Society. Search this book on
• McDONALD, LES (1994). Railfan & Railroad - Volume 13. Carstens Publications. Search this book on

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