Oregon Pacific Railroad 1202
Last Update:  February 7, 2010
"Walter B Beebe"
The OPR 1202 is one of Mr. Samuels newer diesels.    Named after Walter B Beebe.  A friend and mentor of Mr. Samuels,
shown in this 1959 photo while a member and operator of the Shady Dell live scale railroad that Mr. Samuels also belongs too.

The 1202 is a GMD 1200RSu.   It served with the Canadian Pacific.   After the sale of the OPR 1810, the 1202 is now also the
most powerful diesel in the OPR fleet, making 1200 h.p.

According to Canadian Pacific Roster information, the 1202 began life in 1953 as an GMD SW9 B/N A492 in 1953 and was
originally numbered 7403.   The original prime mover was an EMD 12-567-B V-12, making 1200 h.p.

In 1982, it was completely rebuilt from the ground up as a brand new SW1200RSu by GMD, including new engine, new cab
electronics, control stand, special flexi-coil trucks and renumbered 1202.   The prime mover was upgraded to a C Block
12-567-C V-12 also making 1200 h.p. and the locomotive was redesignated an SW1200RSu.

The 1202 has a unique headlight/reader board hood that appears to be unique to Canadian built SW1200RSu locomotives.

A series of photos of the 1202 when operating for the CP can be seen here.

The 1202 was rebuilt again in the 1990s.  In approximately 2005, the CP retired its SW1200RS locomotives.  Several made
their way to Larry's Truck & Electric (LTEX), a locomotive broker, whom from Mr. Samuels purchased the 1202.

The 1202 is the currently the work horse of the East Portland Branch, servicing most trains on that branch, while being
augmented by the No. 100 as the back up engine.   The 1202 is not only the most powerful engine, but it has the newest
control stand, is the most comfortable to ride in, with its flexicoil trucks and is the easiest engine of the fleet to operate.   Its
generally favored most by the crews for these reasons.

Long term plans may see the 1202 eventually moved to the Molalla Branch in the next few years, where its higher h.p. can
better be put to use to pull the longer trains.    Plans are to rebuild and restore the No. 802 into original Southern Pacific
condition.  The 802 is the only OPR engine to have dynamic brakes, which could be better put to use on the extremely steep
grade of the East Portland Branch.

Here is a photo of the 1202 at LTEX after it recieved fresh paint prior to being delivered to the OPR.

The 1202 is currently the primary locomotive for the East Portland Branch, augmented by the No. 100 as a back up
locomotive.

The 1202 can be seen switching out cars with the SP&S 700 at East Portland,
in this video of the 50th Annivesary, End of Steam, 2006

The 1202 can also be seen in this cab ride video of the OPR 1202 switching
out the 2007 Holiday Express and the SP 4449
More pictures can be found here.
Various photos of the 1202 in action in 2006 and 2007.
Photos of the cab of the 1202, including Mr. Samuels at the controls in 2007.
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The 1202 switching out consist at the beginning of the June, 2008 Steaming through History event with the SP&S 700.
The 1202 switching out consist at the end of the June, 2008 Steaming through History event with the SP&S 700.
The 1202 making a revenue run southbound on the East Portland Branch, with Kevin Novak's speeder in the Oaks Park siding.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Novak.
Photos of the 1202 in action in 2008
The 1202 pulling a small charter train in January, 2009
Oregon Pacific Railroad No. 1202
Oregon Pacific Railroad No. 1202
From left to right: (Oct 2009)
(1) 1202 switching cars in the Helico Spur.  (2) 1202 on the hill just above the shops (3) Switching engines around for photo oppertunities south of Golf Junction
(4) View of 1202 from cab of 100 at Golf Junction.  (5) Engine 100 at Golf Junction  (6) Engine 1202 at Golf Junction
From left to right:  (Oct. 2009)
(1) After dropping off empties, picking up loads at East Portland  (2) East Portland, with UP mainline on the right.  (3) View of No. 100 from the cab of 1202.
(4) Train heading south at Holegate Curve..   (5) Photo op of No. 100 at Holegate Curve.  (6)  Train between Golf Junction and 17th Street.
1202 photos from June, 2009
Photos of the cab of the 1202, including the engineer's view.
History of the EMD/GMD SW9 & SW1200

No. 1202 was born an EMD SW9.   SW9s were manufactured by EMD and GMD between 1950 and 1953.   They were
equipped with 12-567B engines making 1200 h.p.   In 1954, EMD upgraded the engine to a 12-567C, making the same
power.  This upgrade caused EMD to change the name of the model to the SW1200 to distinguish between B and C block
equipped locomotives.  Thus, when a locomotive was upgraded to the newer style engine, it's designation was then changed.  
This is what happened to the No. 1202.   It was built in 1953 with a 12-567B, but then was upgraded to a 12-567C, later in its
life and became an SW1200.   However, due to the manufacture date, these locomotives are still sometimes referred to as
SW9s.

The original SW1200s were manufactured through 1966.   786 EMD SW9s were built in the U.S. through 1953.  29 were built
for Canada...of which the No. 1202 is one of.   

The 1200 h.p. switchers were the largest and most powerful of the EMD SW switchers of their day and were the last heavy
switchers to be powered by the EMD 567 series engine.   They would later be replaced by the SW1500, when that model
came out in 1966.

However, the SW1200s still see regular service on many short line railroads, where they can negotiate tight radius curves and
still provide plenty of h.p. for switch movements.

The SW9/SW1200s are very similar in size and appearance to the SW900, SW600 and SW8 and are often only
distinguishable by the nature of the more powerful engine's twin exhaust stacks from the V-12 diesels, verses the single
exhaust stack of the other locomotive's V-8 diesel engines.

Operator's Manual EMD SW900
(Somewhat applies to this locomotive)