AUDIO RECORDINGS OF THE
SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD

This site is a list of all the known audio recordings of the Southern Pacific Railroad.  These audio recordings captured the history and flavor of the railroad, from the last runs of steam to more modern diesels.  Some were made by professionals using equipment that was state of the art at the time, while others were made by amateurs using what they could afford.  Today they are preserved on three types of materials: vinyl record (LP), cassette, and compact disc.

If you know of a recording that is not listed, please contact the host.

This page is part of David Coscia's SP site
April 8, 2004

Daylight Sales
they list these records, but not who produces them, I have no financial gain from company
Greatest Hits of the Daylight Volume 1 - Trackside (steam locomotive SP 4449)
Greatest Hits of the Daylight Volume 2 - In the cab (steam locomotive SP 4449)
Sounds of Daylight 4449
Sounds of the 2472
Steam Tracks Volume 1 (SP 4449)
Steam Tracks Volume 2 (SP 4449)
Steam Tracks Volume 3 (SP 2472 and SSW 819)
First Generation Diesels Volume 1 (description states it has SP, not specific)
First Generation Diesels Volume 2 (Fairbanks Morse H12-44)
Diesel Tracks/Big Engines and Heavy Rail (sequences from Tehachapi)
A Decade of Steam (SP 4449)

 

Mobile Fidelity Records
MF 4      Highball; SP 4460 on her last run, Oakland to Reno, and back
MF 16    Twilight of Steam - Volume 3; SP 4460 in 1958
?            Power and Majesty - Volume 2; SP 4449
?
            Remember When ; Track 14:  SP 4460
?            Memories in Steam (Side 1 "San Jose to Monterey"; Side 2 "Espee's Coast Division)

 

Penn Cal Video
Train Sounds No. 7 - Southern Pacific Steam and Diesel (numerous modern diesels, SP 4449)
Train Sounds No. 14 - Southern Pacific Diesel (numerous modern diesels, some the same as on 7)

 

Robin Haas --  Santa Cruz Collage --Mid 1960's Southern Pacific Diesel CDs
101        SP Commuter run behind GP9P 3007 from San Jose to San Francisco (entire 90 minute run on 2 CDs)
102        Cab Ride from Burbank to Sunland, and over Tehachapi Loop in SD9
103        Down by the SP Depot -  at San Jose station with Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster engines on commuter trains
104        Tehachapi Loop--4 trains pass: 3 Santa Fe, 1 SP and cab ride over the Loop in SP SD9
105        SP Passenger trains - in Northern and Southern California
106        FM Trainmasters on SP Commuters with ride behind
107        Taylor Yard - recording of action on the hump from the pedestrian bridge for an hour in 1967
108        Freight Trains and Switching in California (2 CD set)

 

Southern California Chapter Railway and Locomotive Historical Society
Whistles West: A Pageant of Western Steam Locomotives (multiple tracks)
Steam Echoes: The Unforgettable Sound and Drama of Steam Engines in Action (multiple tracks)

 

Various Recordings
Interurban Memories (has recording of Pacific Electric Watts local on 4 track main to Long Beach)
Mister D's Machine (various recordings of diesels over Tehachapi in the 1950's)
Speed and Power - Amazing Train Sounds (cover says it has SP, but not specific)
HIFI Records "Farewell to Steam" LP; (SP at Santa Barbara, six tracks)