SP S12 Chronicles - Salem, Oregon

SP S12 2112 switching in the Salem, Oregon yard - August 1970

Salem, Oregon was kind of my second Oregon home after Corvallis. Many of my relatives lived there, and at the time this photo was taken my Uncle was working for the State and living in S. Salem. My youngest, and only female cousin was born just about the date this photo was taken. The City of Salem apparently had an ordinance requiring yellow flashers on switch engines. SP 2112, 2113, and maybe 2114 were so equipped and only left Salem for their 30 day inspections in Eugene. Salem still had active canneries back then, and the SP did a good business with all of those Willamette Valley green beans and fruit, and so Salem was a great place to see food service boxcars.

SP S12s 2113, and 2112 with yellow flashers, Salem, Oregon