This route would be a good route to have if it was set in 1954 as there would be a mix of steam and diesel equipment. The route is 470 mi long (756 km) but could be cut down. Two cut down routes that could happen would be Los Angeles to Santa Barbara which would be 103 mi (165.7 Km) another choice could be San Francisco Salinas for a total of 114 mi (183km) Locomotives that ran during this period include Lima Locomotive Works GS-4 and GS-5 ALCO PA EMD E7 EMD E8 EMD E9 EMD FP7
I'd suggest the GS4 (including #4449), the Alco PA-1 or PA-2, and maybe an FP7 or SD7 or SD9 in Black Widow livery. An FM Trainmaster and/or GP7/9 could be good ideas, too.
