ATSF 98
Encyclopedia
ATSF 98 is a 1967 General Motors Electro-Motive Division FP45
diesel locomotive once owned by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
and is today on permanent, operational display at the Orange Empire Railway Museum
in Perris, California
USA.
With its 3600 hp, 20-cylinder prime mover
and six traction motors, the FP45 was intended for fast passenger service and is geared to run in excess of 90 miles per hour (40.2 m/s) . ATSF 98 is especially notable as being the last passenger locomotive ever purchased by the railroad and was used on Santa Fe's finest passenger trains, including the Super Chief
between Chicago and Los Angeles. Relegated to fast freight service in 1971 when passenger rail operations were transferred to Amtrak
, the FP45 was donated in operating condition less its air conditioner by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe in 1997.
The locomotive's sheer size in comparison to the museum's relatively small, low-speed main line limits its use to occasional demonstration service and special excursions. It is maintained in service-ready condition and is sometimes used on off-property work trains.
EMD FP45
The EMD FP45 is a cowl unit type of C-C diesel locomotive produced in the United States by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It was produced beginning in 1967 at the request of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which did not want its prestigious Super Chief and other passenger...
diesel locomotive once owned by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
and is today on permanent, operational display at the Orange Empire Railway Museum
Orange Empire Railway Museum
The Orange Empire Railway Museum , 2201 South "A" Street, Perris, California, is a railroad museum founded in 1956 at the Pinacate Station as the "Orange Empire Trolley Museum." The museum also operates a heritage railroad on the museum grounds.-Background:The collection focuses on Southern...
in Perris, California
Perris, California
Perris is a city in Riverside County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city population was 68,386, up from 36,189 at the 2000 census. The city is named in honor of Fred T. Perris, chief engineer of the California Southern Railroad...
USA.
With its 3600 hp, 20-cylinder prime mover
Tractor unit
A tractor unit, prime mover , road tractor, or traction unit is a heavy-duty commercial vehicle within the large goods vehicle category, usually with a large displacement diesel engine, and several axles. The tractor unit serves as a method of moving trailers...
and six traction motors, the FP45 was intended for fast passenger service and is geared to run in excess of 90 miles per hour (40.2 m/s) . ATSF 98 is especially notable as being the last passenger locomotive ever purchased by the railroad and was used on Santa Fe's finest passenger trains, including the Super Chief
Super Chief
The Super Chief was one of the named passenger trains and the flagship of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was often referred to as "The Train of the Stars" because of the many celebrities who traveled on the streamliner between Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California.The Super...
between Chicago and Los Angeles. Relegated to fast freight service in 1971 when passenger rail operations were transferred to Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, the FP45 was donated in operating condition less its air conditioner by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe in 1997.
The locomotive's sheer size in comparison to the museum's relatively small, low-speed main line limits its use to occasional demonstration service and special excursions. It is maintained in service-ready condition and is sometimes used on off-property work trains.