SP Freight Train Symbol History

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Most of the following train symbols originated at Houston, TX.

HEBVM began as the EN-SA (Ennis San Antonio) and No 363 from San Antonio to Brownsville. They were combined and rerouted via Vitoria to become the ENBVY in 1974. In 1977, it handled traffic for Victoria, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley. The ENVIY, operated as needed and became the ENVIM in October 1985. The HEVIY and HEVIM also operated during this time when there was insufficient traffic to originate the train in Ennis. It became the HEBVM December 21, 1986 and operated as needed.

HEPBM began as train SAPBY. From 1982 thru 1985, the SAPBY handled traffic for Giddings, Caldwell, Hearne, North Texas (set out at Corsicana) Tyler, Texarkana, Pine Bluff, and East St. Louis. It became the SAPBM in October 1985 and operated as needed. It became the HEPBM in late 1986.

HGPBY originated at the SSW Hodge Yard in North Fort Worth. It primarily handled traffic for reclassification at Pine Bluff and also picked up and set out at Carrollton, Plano, Addison, Greenville, Commerce, Mt. Pleasant, and Texarkana. The schedule was deleted May 20, 1983.

HOASM began as the TSN (Texas Streak North) and became the HOASY in 1974. From 1982 thru 1985, it handled traffic for Pine Bluff and connections via the Alton and Southern. From 1980 to April 3, 1983, it operated via Shreveport over the weekend and via Hearne on weekdays. After April 3, 1983, HOASY operated primarily via Shreveport. The HOASY became the HOASM in October 1985.

HOBEM began as the HOBEY and in 1982 handled traffic for Beaumont. The schedule was deleted May 20, 1983, however the symbol is still used as needed. It became the HOBTM in October 1985.

HOCXQ began in July 1987 as a run thru to Jacksonville, FL via New Orleans and the CXS.

HODAM began as No 257 which terminated at Denison, TX and handled traffic for North Texas. It was split into the HOENY and ENDNY in 1974. The ENDNY became the ENSHY in 1980 and handled Dallas and BN interchange traffic for Sherman. In 1984 they were combined to form the HODNY and became the HODNM in October 1985. It became the HODAM in late 1986 and operated as needed.

HODAQ began as HODAX in 1984. It handled Dallas TOFC, was limited to 15 cars and operated without a caboose.

HODAT began as the PBW (Piggyback West) and became the HODAT in 1974. In 1982, it handled traffic for Ennis, Dallas, and BN interchange at Sherman for Tulsa and beyond.

HOEPT began January 16, 1989 and handled El Paso, Tucson, and Phoenix TOFC and manifest traffic from Houston and trains NOLXT and CXHOT. It would pick up additional traffic at San Antonio from trains DASAQ and MFLAT.

HOESQ began in July 1987 operating five days per week. This was increased to six days per week in April 1989.

HOEXT began January 1986 handling Express system containers from Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans. During early 1986, it was combined with the CHEXT at El Paso.

Southern Pacific train symbol TXN at Dragoon, AZ

HOLAM began as the TXN (Texan) operating to Indio to connect with the SF, IV-NCP, and IV-VXW. It became the HOLAY in 1974 and became the HOLAM in October 1985. HOLAM handled traffic for San Antonio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Tucson, and West Colton.

SP train symbol HOLBT at Deming, NM

HOLAT in 1982 handled TOFC and manifest traffic for El Paso, Tucson, City of Industry, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area in 1982. In 1987, HOLAT handled TOFC for El Paso, Tucson, and West Colton.

SP train symbol HOLFM at Welsh, LA and on the Mermentau River Bridge

HONOM began as the HNO (Houston New Orleans) and became the HOAVF in 1974. In 1982, it handled traffic for Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Avondale Yard and could have a block for Beaumont on the head end. It became the HONOM in October 1985.

SP train symbol HOWCQ at Lordsburg, NM

HOOAM began as the HOWCY. From 1982 thru 1985, it handled mixed traffic and picked up and set out at San Antonio and El Paso. It became the HOWCM in October 1985 and in 1986 became the HOOAM.

HOOAT began as the AVBAT. In 1982, it operated via the Coast and handled TOFC for San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area. The AVBAT operted via the Valley in 1985. The AVBAT became the NOOAT in October 1985 became the HOOAT during the Summer on 1986. In 1987, it handled San Antonio TOFC and manifest traffic and Bay Area TOFC and manifest traffic. It picked up additional Bay Area traffic from the MFOAT at San Antonio and from the KCEPQ at El Paso.

HOPBY in 1982 handled traffic for Pine Bluff and beyond. It generally operated via Lufkin, but could operate via Corsicana. The schedule was deleted May 20, 1983 but the symbol was used into 1984.

HOSAM began as the HOSAY handling traffic for West Texas and Arizona and could fill with traffic for West Colton on the head end. The schedule was deleted May 20, 1983 but the symbol continued to be used until changed to the HOSAM in October 1985. It operated as needed.

HOSBM began as the SP-FLA (SP Florida) and became the HOLNY in 1974. It handled traffic for exL&N at Avondale Yard and could have a Lafayette block on the rear end. The HOSBY became the HOSBM in October 1985, and operated as the HONOM2 from January 1986 to January 1988.

HOSOM began as the HSO (Houston Southern Run Through) and became the HOSOY in 1974. It handled traffic for Southern Rwy train 194 for Birmingham and Atlanta and could have a block for Lake Charles on the head end. The HOSOY became the HOSOM in October 1985 and operated as the HONOM3 from January 1986 to January 1988.

HOTXQ began in late 1987 as a unit tank train to Teneha then via AT&SF to Texas Eastman at Longview. It operated daily except Saturday.

HOVIM began as the HOVIY handling traffic for South Central Texas. It became the HOVIM in October 1985.

HXHOT began in March 1988 leaving Long Beach on Tuesday if there is sufficient Hanjin traffic. Otherwise Hanjin traffic will be handled by the LXHOF, LXCRF, and LACHF.

ICMXQ handled Mitsui containers from the ICG when connection with ESKCQ is missed.

ICNXQ handled NYK containers for the ICG. when connection with ESKCQ is missed.

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