Santa Fe 3751
Encyclopedia
Santa Fe 3751 is a restored 4-8-4
steam locomotive
that was originally owned and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
. It is located in the Central City East neighborhood of Los Angeles, California
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, 3751 was Baldwin's and the Santa Fe's first 4-8-4. Tests showed that 3751 was 20% more efficient and powerful than Santa Fe's 4-8-2 3700 class steamer, which at the point was the Santa Fe's top of the line steamer. In 1936, the engine was converted to burn oil. Two years later, the locomotive was given a larger tender able to hold 20,000 gallons of water and 7,107 gallons of fuel oil. In 1941, along with other 4-8-4s, 3751 received major upgrades including: 80-inch drive wheels, a new frame, roller bearings all around, and more. That same year, it achieved its highest recorded speed at 103 mph. It continued to be a very reliable work locomotive until 1954, when it pulled the last steam powered passenger train out of San Diego on August 23, on its last revenue run. Later that year, it was officially retired from the roster and placed on display in San Bernardino
.
In 1981, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society was formed with intentions of restoring and operating 3751. Four years later, they achieved their goal when 3751 was sold to them with the condition that the SBRHS must restore and operate the locomotive. In 1986, 3751 was moved from its display to California Steel Industries, where it was restored at a cost of $1.5 million and in 1991, operated for the first time in 38 years. Since then, it has done countless excursions and special trips and gone to many events.
The locomotive is currently owned by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, the organization that performed the restoration.
The 3751 made its first excursion in December 1991 following its completed restoration. The 3751 and two Santa Fe FP45s led 15 passenger cars from Los Angeles.
The year 1992 had 3751 on its largest assignment so far, as the engine ran the entire route of the Santa Fe Transcon route between Los Angeles and Chicago. The engine spent 18 days traveling over nearly 1000 on home rails.
The 3751 was a participant in Railfair '99.
In 2000, 3751 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
A second locomotive of the same class has also been preserved, AT & SF Locomotive 3759. It too is listed on the NRHP.
In 2002, the 3751 ran an Amtrak excursion from Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona to participate in the 2002 NRHS Convention. The excursion ran over Metrolink, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway, and the Arizona and California. The engine also ran on the Grand Canyon Railway for an excursion on the former Santa Fe's "Grand Canyon" line. The event including double and tripleheading with Grand Canyon Railway's own steam engines.
In 2008, 3751 ran on the Surf Line for two excursions. The first, on June 1, was a public excursion which left 30 minutes late due to a delayed Metrolink
train and arrived 4 hours behind schedule, mostly caused by the single-track railroad south of CP Avery, or the Mission Viejo station. However, it was history in the making, as no steam engine had traversed the Surf Line since the 1976 American Freedom Train
, and many proud Southern California residents turned-out to watch. The train was turned at Miramar Wye, 15 miles north of San Diego station. The second excursion was a private car special, passing San Clemente at 9:30 AM. However, a trespasser was struck at CP Avery, delaying all trains up to 3 hours. 3751 passed CP Avery at around 9:00 PM. Still, this excursion was enjoyed by many, even catching the eye of railfans as far north as Simi Valley.
In May, 2010, the 3751 returned to the Surf Line
for a third excursion, pulling eight Amtrak
cars and a few dome cars, attracting large crowds to see it in action. In order to alleviate issues with turning the train, the excursion was split over two days: south to San Diego on May 1, and north to Los Angeles the following day. This proved successful, as 3751 was on time into San Diego the first day and sustained only normal delays northbound, thus proving this excursion to be the most successful yet. Proceeds from this trip will be used for the annual $50,000 cost of maintaining and storing the locomotive. The engine also was in Los Angeles for "National Train Day".
4-8-4
Under the Whyte notation classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles .Other equivalent classifications are:UIC classification: 2D2...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
that was originally owned and operated 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...
. It is located in the Central City East neighborhood of Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
Built in 1927 by the Baldwin Locomotive WorksBaldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
, 3751 was Baldwin's and the Santa Fe's first 4-8-4. Tests showed that 3751 was 20% more efficient and powerful than Santa Fe's 4-8-2 3700 class steamer, which at the point was the Santa Fe's top of the line steamer. In 1936, the engine was converted to burn oil. Two years later, the locomotive was given a larger tender able to hold 20,000 gallons of water and 7,107 gallons of fuel oil. In 1941, along with other 4-8-4s, 3751 received major upgrades including: 80-inch drive wheels, a new frame, roller bearings all around, and more. That same year, it achieved its highest recorded speed at 103 mph. It continued to be a very reliable work locomotive until 1954, when it pulled the last steam powered passenger train out of San Diego on August 23, on its last revenue run. Later that year, it was officially retired from the roster and placed on display in San Bernardino
San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California is a large city in the Inland Empire Metropolitan Area of Southern California.San Bernardino may also refer to:-Landforms:*San Bernardino , a torrent that flows through the Italian province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola...
.
In 1981, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society was formed with intentions of restoring and operating 3751. Four years later, they achieved their goal when 3751 was sold to them with the condition that the SBRHS must restore and operate the locomotive. In 1986, 3751 was moved from its display to California Steel Industries, where it was restored at a cost of $1.5 million and in 1991, operated for the first time in 38 years. Since then, it has done countless excursions and special trips and gone to many events.
The locomotive is currently owned by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, the organization that performed the restoration.
The 3751 made its first excursion in December 1991 following its completed restoration. The 3751 and two Santa Fe FP45s led 15 passenger cars from Los Angeles.
The year 1992 had 3751 on its largest assignment so far, as the engine ran the entire route of the Santa Fe Transcon route between Los Angeles and Chicago. The engine spent 18 days traveling over nearly 1000 on home rails.
The 3751 was a participant in Railfair '99.
In 2000, 3751 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
A second locomotive of the same class has also been preserved, AT & SF Locomotive 3759. It too is listed on the NRHP.
In 2002, the 3751 ran an Amtrak excursion from Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona to participate in the 2002 NRHS Convention. The excursion ran over Metrolink, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway, and the Arizona and California. The engine also ran on the Grand Canyon Railway for an excursion on the former Santa Fe's "Grand Canyon" line. The event including double and tripleheading with Grand Canyon Railway's own steam engines.
In 2008, 3751 ran on the Surf Line for two excursions. The first, on June 1, was a public excursion which left 30 minutes late due to a delayed Metrolink
Metrolink (Southern California)
Metrolink is a commuter rail system serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area of Southern California; it currently consists of six lines and 55 stations using of track....
train and arrived 4 hours behind schedule, mostly caused by the single-track railroad south of CP Avery, or the Mission Viejo station. However, it was history in the making, as no steam engine had traversed the Surf Line since the 1976 American Freedom Train
American Freedom Train
The United States has seen two national 'Freedom Trains'. The 1947–1949 Freedom Train was a special exhibit train that toured the United States in the later half of the 1940s. A similar train called the American Freedom Train toured the country for the United States Bicentennial celebration in...
, and many proud Southern California residents turned-out to watch. The train was turned at Miramar Wye, 15 miles north of San Diego station. The second excursion was a private car special, passing San Clemente at 9:30 AM. However, a trespasser was struck at CP Avery, delaying all trains up to 3 hours. 3751 passed CP Avery at around 9:00 PM. Still, this excursion was enjoyed by many, even catching the eye of railfans as far north as Simi Valley.
In May, 2010, the 3751 returned to the Surf Line
Surf Line
The Surf Line is a railroad line that runs from San Diego north to Los Angeles along California's Pacific Coast. It is so named because much of the line is near the Pacific Ocean, within less than 100 feet in places...
for a third excursion, pulling eight 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...
cars and a few dome cars, attracting large crowds to see it in action. In order to alleviate issues with turning the train, the excursion was split over two days: south to San Diego on May 1, and north to Los Angeles the following day. This proved successful, as 3751 was on time into San Diego the first day and sustained only normal delays northbound, thus proving this excursion to be the most successful yet. Proceeds from this trip will be used for the annual $50,000 cost of maintaining and storing the locomotive. The engine also was in Los Angeles for "National Train Day".
Historic designations
- National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
#NPS–#00001178