Southern Pacific Train Symbol History

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Most of the following train symbols originated at UP's Albina Yard in Portland, the Alton & Southern Yard in East St. Louis, or Avondale Yard in New Orleans, LA.

Click on any small picture in this report to see a larger picture and get more information about the train and the location.

Southern Pacific train symbol ABSM at Shumla, TX
Southern Pacific train symbol ABSM at Shumla, TX

ABSM (Advanced Blue Streak Merchandise) operated daily and handled TOFC and manifest traffic for Los Angeles. It was deleted in 1974.

ABSM Pine Bluff 200P  Los Angeles 800P  2 71-73

Southern Pacific train symbol ABSM by semaphore signals at Dryden, TX
Southern Pacific train symbol ABSM by semaphore signals at Dryden, TX

ALEUM began as the DGWUP (Drag West from Union Pacific) originating at UP's Albina Yard. In September 1986, it handled traffic for Eugene and West Colton. It became the ALEUM in October 1985.

ALEUY Albina 1000P  Eugene 300A  1 77-82
ALEUY Albina 1030P  Eugene 330A  1 83-85
ALEUM Albina 1030P  Eugene 330A  1 86-87

ALEUZ handled overflow traffic from the ALEUY and operated as needed.

ALEUZ Albina 1100P  Eugene 400A M 1 79

AMPUM is the new symbol adopted in October 1989 for D&RGW train 162.

RG162 Alamosa 400A  Pueblo 1000A    74
RG162 Alamosa 1100P  Pueblo 500A  1 80-84

Southern Pacific train symbol APLAB on the Cienega Bridge
Southern Pacific train symbol APLAB on the Cienega Bridge

APLAB began in 1974 and handled auto parts and manifest traffic for City of Industry and beyond.

APLAB Pine Bluff 530A  Los Angeles 130A  2 74-77

ASBIM began operating November 9, 1989 to IHB Blue Island Yard in Riverdale, IL.

ASEUM is a run thru with D&RGW train 145 which began in August 1988. It operated via Roseville until the Modoc Line was reopened October 13, 1988. It handled traffic for Pueblo and reclassification at Eugene. When operated thru Denver D&RGW symbol 125 was used.

ASHOY handled traffic for Pine Bluff, Shreveport, Lufkin and Houston. It was suspended in late 1985.

ASHOY E St Louis 1100A  Houston 200A  2 85

Southern Pacific train symbol APLAA at Harwood, TX
Southern Pacific train symbol APLAA at Harwood, TX

ASLAA began as the APW (Auto Parts West). It became the APLAA in 1974 and in 1982, the APLAA handled autos and auto parts for Eagle Pass, Phoenix, City of Industry, and Los Angeles. The route was changed to Tucumcari in 1983 and became the ESCIT on July 6, 1984. It became the ASLAA in October 1984 and ran until June 1985. It handled traffic for El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix, West Colton, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area.

APW Pine Bluff 1130P  Los Angeles 800P  2 73
APLAA E St Louis 830A  Los Angeles 1159P  2 74
APLAA E St Louis 515A  Los Angeles 1159P  2 77-82
APLAA E St Louis 600A  Los Angeles 1100P  2 83
ASLAA E St Louis 900P  Los Angeles 1201P  4 85

ASLAM began October 1985 operating via Kansas City. It was often combined with the BSMFF during 1986 and 1987.

ASLFM began as the ASBEY and handled traffic for Lake Charles, Beaumont, and Dayton. The ASBEY became the ASBTM in October 1985. The ASLFM began in October 1986 and in August 1987 replaced the ASBTM.

ASBEY E St Louis 600A  Beaumont 830P  1 85
ASBTM E St Louis 600A  Beaumont 830P  1 86
ASLFM E St Louis 800A  Lafayette 950P  2 87

ASPBM began as the WF-SSW (Wiggins Ferry - SSW) from TRRA Wiggins Yard. It became the ESPBY in 1974 and handled westbound traffic, picked up and set out at Illmo, Malden, Paragould, and Jonesboro. It became the ASPBY in April 1983, operating on no set schedule, but often in two or three sections. It became the ASPBM in October 1985.

WF-SSW St Louis 315P  Pine Bluff 130A  1 71-73
ESPBY E St Louis 1201A  Pine Bluff 200P    74
ESPBY E St Louis 1201A  Pine Bluff 100P    77
ESPBY E St Louis 1201A  Pine Bluff 425P    79-82
ASPBY E St Louis 1201A  Pine Bluff 145P    84

AVAXT began in April 1985 and handled APL containers from Avondale Yard in New Orleans to Long Beach. The containers came from Atlanta via Southern Rwy train 219.

AVAXT1 Avondale Sat 700P  Long Beach Tue 500P  86
AVAXT2 Avondale Thr 700P  Long Beach Sun 300P  86
AVAXT2 Avondale Sun 700P  Long Beach Wed 600P  87
AVAXT5 Avondale Wed 700P  Long Beach Sat 600P  87
AVAXT7 Avondale Fri 700P  Long Beach Mon 600P  87
AVAXT Avondale M,Thr,Sat 400P  Long Beach Thr,Sun,Tue 600A  88

AVAZT began in late 1989 handling APL containers to Oakland.

AVHOT began as the NOPBW (New Orleans Pig) and became the AVHOT in 1974. It handled TOFC and manifest traffic for Houston and beyond. It picked up at Lake Charles and Beaumont.

NOPBW Avondale Yard 900P  Houston 1100A  1 71-73
AVHOT Avondale Yard 900P  Houston 200P  1 74-77

AVLFM began as the AVHOY. In 1982, it handled traffic for Beaumont, Lake Charles, and Houston TOFC and could fill with West Colton empties. The AVHOY became the NOHOM in October 1985, became the AVHOM in early 1986 and became the AVLFM in early 1987. It operated as needed.

AVHOY Avondale Yard 1000A  Houston 400P  1 82
AVHOY Avondale Yard 330P  Houston 930P  1 83-85

AXAVT began as the VAAVT and handled APL containers for Houston and to New Orleans for Southern Rwy train 222 to Atlanta. Also operating during the Spring of 1988 was an AXAVT4.

VAAVT Valla 200A  Avondale Yard 830A  3 85
AXAVT1 Long Beach Wed 1100A  Avondale Sat 110P    86
AXAVT2 Long Beach Sat 500A  Avondale Tue 410A    86
AXAVT2 Long Beach Sun 500A  Avondale Tue 1159P    87
AXAVT5 Long Beach Wed 500A  Avondale Fri 1159P    87
AXAVT7 Long Beach Fri 500A  Avondale Sun 1159P    87

AXMFT began in December 1987 and could be combined with the LAMFF or run as either AXMFT2 or AXMFT5 depending on the day of departure.

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