Not really, only 660 horses and only 70 tons light. They were used on the light but hilly Lakeside Branch because of their light axle loading and their dynamic braking. Nothing else had such a gentle step yet still had dynamics. SD&AE used to run two of them MU'd back to back, then later nose to nose for visibility. They would occasionally lash three together if the loads were heavy enough. They were sent north and replaced by a special set of dynamic brake equipped SW800s.
The Lakeside Branch was the route now used by the Orange Line of the San Diego Trolley. They still run nightly freights out to El Cajon but with GP9s now that there is heavier rail in place.