SSW 320

This loco was built in 6/1950 with EMD construction number 10736 on order number 6038. She was built as a passenger engine. She was painted in Cotton Belt's version of SP's Daylight paint and featured a basic headlight arrangement on the each end. She did not have dynamic brakes, but did have a steam generator. She originally featured the spelled-out St. Louis Southwestern on her long hood.

She was renumbered to SSW 304 at Shreveport, LA on April 6, 1952.

She recieved COTTON BELT lettering on her long hood at some time between 1955 and 1956.

She was repainted into Cotton Belt's version of the black widow scheme ca. 1958.

Her steam generator was eventually removed in 1960 due to the shrinking SSW passenger business and she became another road switcher. It is doubtful that she ventured far from home rails. She worked in local freight service in Arkansas for many years.

She received a coat of bloody nose paint at some point in the 1960's and retained her number SSW 304 after the system-wide 1965 renumbering.

She was retired and sold to Precision National in 11/1972. Rebuilt to GP10 specifications and became ICG 8029 in 2/1973. She was among the units sold to upstart MidSouth Rail and became MSRC 1005.

She was eventually sold Rail Switching Services as RSSX 1005. Last known assignment was as a plant switcher for Proctor & Gamble at Ivorydale, Ohio. It is not known if she is still in service or has been scrapped.

If she still exists, it would be wonderful if she could be returned to her original high front hood configuration in Daylight paint!

SSW 304:

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