Southern Pacific Train Symbol History A

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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

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

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

ADHFT began in March 1990. It handled auto parts originating around Detroit in APL containers for the Ford assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico south of Tucson. The train ran three days a week and section number at the end of the symbol designated the day of departure from Kansas City: 3 Monday, 5 Wednesday, and 7 Friday.

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.

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

AMPUM was a new symbol adopted in October 1989 for D&RGW train 162.

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.

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

ASBTQ 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. It became ASBTQ in March 1993.

ASHOQ began as the ASHOY. It handled traffic for Pine Bluff, Shreveport, Lufkin and Houston. ASHOY was suspended in late 1985 and later restarted as the ASHOQ.

Southern Pacific train symbol APLAA at Harwood, TX

ASLAA began as the APW (Auto Parts West). It became the APLAA in 1974 and the APLAA in 1982. It 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.

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

ASPBM began as the WF-SSW (Wiggins Ferry - SSW) from TRRA Wiggins Yard. It became the ESPBY in 1974 and handled westbound traffic. It 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.

ASRVM began as ASEUM. It was 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. It was later split into the ASROM and ROEUM. The ASROM was split into the ASPUM and PUROM. These trains changed in 1993 to the ASGJM and GJROM. The symbol was changed again to ASRVM.

ASSRQ operated daily to Strang Yard near Houston.

AVAZT began in late 1989 handling APL containers to Oakland.

AVHOM began in the early 90s.

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.

AVLBT began as the AVLAY and handled traffic for San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix, City of Industry, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and the Bay Area. The schedule was suspended in 1983 and reinstated as the AVLAT in June 1984. AVLAT handled loads and empties for West Colton and TOFC for Los Angeles and Valla. It became NOLAT in October 1985. The NOLXT began in November 1986 and the NOLAT symbol was deleted in early 1987. It later became the AVLBT.

AVSRQ 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. It became AVSRQ in March 1993.

AVWCQ began as the AVHOQ. Traffic from the AVHOQ often connected with the HOCIQ, they were combined in 1994 to form the AVWCQ.

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