Santa Fe class 3460

Last updated
ATSF 3460 class
Santa Fe 3460 Baldwin.jpg
ATSF 3460, the “Blue Goose”
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number62083-62088
Build date1937
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 4-6-4
   UIC 2′C2′ h
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia. 37 in (940 mm)
Driver dia.84 in (2,134 mm)
Trailing dia. 40 in (1,016 mm)
Wheelbase Loco:41 ft 1+12 in (12.53 m)
LengthLoco:55 ft 3+14 in (16.85 m);
Loco & tender:102 ft 6+34 in (31.26 m)
Width10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)
Height15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
16 ft 8 in (5.08 m) over raised stack extension
Axle load 70,266 lb (31,872 kilograms; 31.872 metric tons)
Adhesive weight 210,800 lb (95,600 kilograms; 95.6 metric tons)
Loco weight417,300 lb (189,300 kilograms; 189.3 metric tons)
Tender weight396,246 lb (179,734 kilograms; 179.734 metric tons)
Total weight813,546 lb (369,018 kilograms; 369.018 metric tons)
Fuel type Oil
Fuel capacity7,000 US gal (26,000 L; 5,800 imp gal)
Water cap.20,000 US gal (76,000 L; 17,000 imp gal)
Tender cap.7,000 US gal (26,000 L; 5,800 imp gal) oil, 20,000 US gal (76,000 L; 17,000 imp gal) water
Firebox:
  Grate area99.5 sq ft (9.24 m2)
Boiler88 in (2,235 mm)
Boiler pressure300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 23.5 in × 29.5 in (597 mm × 749 mm)
Valve gear Walschaerts
Valve type Piston valves
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 mph (193 km/h) [1]
Power output3,600 hp (2,700 kW) @ 50 mph (80 km/h) (drawbar)
Tractive effort 49,456 lbf (220.0 kN)
Factor of adh. 4.26
Career
Operators Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Class 3460 class
Numbers3460–3465
Preserved3463, in Topeka, Kansas
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's 3460 class comprised six 4-6-4 "Super Hudson" type steam locomotives built in 1937 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for service between La Junta, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois, a fairly flat division of the railroad suited for the 4-6-4 type. They were substantially larger than the road's earlier 3450 class locomotives, and all were built oil-fired, although in a manner that would allow for easy conversion to coal firing. All were fitted with SKF roller bearings on every axle.

They had much in common with the Milwaukee Road's class F7 and the Chicago and North Western Railway's class E-4, all three types being fast, 84-inch drivered 4-6-4s for Midwestern service with 300 lb/in2 boiler pressures.

In December 1937, locomotive #3461 set a world record for the longest single run by a steam locomotive by completing the 2,227 miles (3,584 km) from Los Angeles, California to Chicago without maintenance other than five refuelling stops en route, hauling Train #8, the Fast Mail Express. An average speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) was obtained, including stops; maximum speed during the run was 90 mph (140 km/h). During steeply graded portions of the run it was assisted by helper locomotives. Such long distance runs were a goal of railway operating departments to reduce locomotive numbers and through increased locomotive usage, reduce overall costs. [2]

The first locomotive, #3460, was built streamlined; painted light, robin's egg blue and silver, it became known as the "Blue Goose". It was the Santa Fe's only streamlined steam locomotive, featuring extensively in railroad publicity.

Locomotive #3461 was fitted with a streamlined "skyline" casing along the top of the boiler, encasing stack and domes, in an experiment to see if it helped clear smoke away from the locomotive. It was not retained. All of the locomotives otherwise had a Santa Fe-style telescoping stack extension fitted, which elongated the stack to clear smoke better and could be lowered to pass under low bridges and tunnels.

The 3460 class 4-6-4s, the 3765 class 4-8-4s, and the 5001 class 2-10-4s were designed and ordered around the same time and had much in common in their designs; in addition, they used the same six-axle tender design. The classes together were often called the "Big Three".

Only one of this class survives, #3463 is on static display on the grounds to the Southeast of the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kansas. It was initially planned to be restored to operating condition by the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR), but after several years of delay and negotiations, the group was renamed to the Kaw Valley Rail Heritage Conservancy (KVRHC). The group's new intentions are to move #3463 to a more visible and protected site, build a shelter over the locomotive to protect it from the elements and cosmetically restore it to its 1956 appearance. [3]

NumberBaldwin serial numberDate builtDispositionNotes
3460620831937Sold for scrap.Streamlined, nicknamed "Blue Goose".
3461620841937Sold for scrap.Ran the longest single run by a steam locomotive from Los Angeles to Chicago without maintenance.
3462620851937Sold for scrap.
3463620861937On static display on the grounds to the Southeast of the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kansas. Awaiting cosmetic restoration.
3464620871937Sold for scrap.
3465620881937Sold for scrap.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-10-4</span> Locomotive wheel arrangement

Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, a 2-10-4 locomotive has two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a Bissel truck, ten coupled driving wheels on five axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles, usually in a bogie. These were referred to as the Texas type in most of the United States, the Colorado type on the Burlington Route, and the Selkirk type in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Central Hudson</span> American 4-6-4 steam locomotives (1927–1957)

The New York Central Hudson was a popular 4-6-4 "Hudson" type steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), Baldwin Locomotive Works and the Lima Locomotive Works in three series from 1927 to 1938 for the New York Central Railroad. Named after the Hudson River, the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement came to be known as the "Hudson" type in the United States, as these locomotives were the first examples built and used in North America. Built for high-speed passenger train work, the Hudson locomotives were famously known for hauling the New York Central's crack passenger trains, such as the 20th Century Limited and the Empire State Express.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-6-4</span> Locomotive wheel arrangement

Under the Whyte notation for the classification of locomotives, 4-6-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels and four trailing wheels. In France where the type was first used, it is known as the Baltic while it became known as the Hudson in most of North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-8-4</span> Locomotive wheel arrangement

Under the Whyte notation for the 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. The type was first used by the Northern Pacific Railway, and initially named the Northern Pacific, but railfans and railroad employees have shortened the name since its introduction. It is most-commonly known as a Northern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway</span> Former railroad company in the United States

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, often referred to as the Santa Fe or AT&SF, was one of the largest Class 1 railroads in the United States between 1859 and 1996.

Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-10-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, ten powered and coupled driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. In the United States and elsewhere the 2-10-2 is known as the Santa Fe type, after the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway that first used the type in 1903.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California State Railroad Museum</span> Railroad museum in Sacramento, California

The California State Railroad Museum is a museum in the California State Parks system that interprets the role of railroads in the Western U.S.. It is located in Old Sacramento State Historic Park at 111 I Street, Sacramento, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-8-4</span> Locomotive wheel arrangement

Under the Whyte notation, a 2-8-4 is a steam locomotive that has two unpowered leading wheels, followed by eight coupled and powered driving wheels, and four trailing wheels. This locomotive type is most often referred to as a Berkshire, though the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway used the name Kanawha for their 2-8-4s. In Europe, this wheel arrangement was mostly seen in mainline passenger express locomotives and, in certain countries, in tank locomotives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMC 1800 hp B-B</span> Locomotive class

Electro-Motive Corporation produced five 1800 hp B-B experimental passenger train-hauling diesel locomotives in 1935; two company-owned demonstrators, #511 and #512, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's #50, and two units for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Diesel Locomotive #1. The twin engine power unit layout and multiple unit control systems developed with the B-B locomotives were soon adopted for other locomotives such as the Burlington Route's Zephyr locomotives built by the Budd Company in 1936 and EMC's own EMD E-units introduced in 1937. The B-B locomotives worked as proof-of-concept demonstrators for diesel power with the service loads of full size trains, breaking out of its niche powering the smaller custom Streamliners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Canyon Railway</span> Historic railway to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

The Grand Canyon Railway is a heritage railroad which carries passengers between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe 3751</span> Preserved American Santa Fe 3751 class 4-8-4 locomotive

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 3751 is a class "3751" 4-8-4 "Heavy Mountain" type steam locomotive built in May 1927 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). No. 3751 was the first 4-8-4 steam locomotive built for the Santa Fe and was referenced in documentation as type: "Heavy Mountain", "New Mountain", or "Mountain 4-wheel trailer". No. 3751 served in passenger duties until being retired in 1953.

The Timken Roller Bearing Company was one of the first to introduce roller bearings for railroad cars. Railroad cars owned and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway were some of the first to use roller bearings rather than "oil waste journal" boxes. Henry Timken, a German immigrant, invented an improved bearing and founded the company in 1899. It was later renamed The Timken Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe 2926</span> Preserved Santa Fe 2900 class 4-8-4 locomotive

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 2926 is a class "2900" 4-8-4 type steam locomotive built in May 1944 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). It was used to pull passenger and fast freight trains, mostly throughout New Mexico, until it was retired from revenue service in 1953. Three years later, it was donated to Coronado Park in Albuquerque for static display.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee Road class F7</span> Class of 6 streamlined 4-6-4 steam locomotives

The Milwaukee Road's class "F7" comprised six (#100–#105) high-speed, streamlined 4-6-4 "Baltic" (Hudson) type steam locomotives built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1937–38 to haul the Milwaukee's Hiawatha express passenger trains. Following on from the success of the road's class "A" 4-4-2s, the F7s allowed the road to haul heavier trains on the popular Chicago–Twin Cities routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe class 3450</span>

The Santa Fe class 3450 consisted of ten 4-6-4 "Hudson" type steam locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1927. Built as coal-burners, they were later converted to oil-burning during the 1930s. At the same time, the locomotives were given 79-inch (2,007 mm) driving wheels instead of their original 73-inch (1,854 mm), and the boiler pressures increased from 220 to 230 lbf/in2. Combined, these changes reduced the starting tractive effort from 44,250 to 43,300 lbf, but increased the top speed and efficiency. Their early service was in the Midwest, between Chicago and Colorado; later, some were assigned to service in the San Joaquin Valley of California between Bakersfield and Oakland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe 5000</span> Preserved American 2-10-4 steam locomotive

Santa Fe No. 5000 is a 2-10-4 "Texas" type steam locomotive constructed by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1930 for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. No. 5000 was immediately nicknamed the "Madame Queen" and remained a unique member of its own class. It was donated to the City of Amarillo, Texas in 1957. As of 2023, Santa Fe 5000 is maintained by the Railroad Artifact Preservation Society. Santa Fe 5000 is on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe 3415</span> Preserved American Santa Fe 3400 class 4-6-2 locomotive

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 3415 is a preserved class "3400" 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built in June 1919 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Retired in 1954, it sat in Eisenhower Park in Abilene, Kansas, until 1996. At that point, it was put on display in the Abilene and Smoky Valley yard. In 2005, it was purchased by the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad were it was restored in December 2008 and began hauling excursion trains on the line. It is the only operating steam locomotive in Kansas and is one of four Santa Fe steam engines still operating can the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe class 5011</span>

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway class 5011 was the last class of steam locomotives to be purchased by AT&SF. The class was introduced by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe Class 2900</span> Santa Fe 2900 Class

The Santa Fe 2900 Class was a series of 30 4-8-4 type steam locomotives built between 1943 and 1944 for Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and pulled freight and passenger trains until retirement in the early to late-1950s.

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe No. 1316 is a preserved 1309 class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1911 for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was frequently used for pulling fast passenger trains in Texas, until it was reassigned to freight service in the late 1940s. After being retired in 1954, it was donated to the Fort Concho Museum in San Angelo, Texas for static display. In 1980, No. 1316 was acquired by the Texas State Railroad, who moved it to Rusk, Texas and restored it in 1982 as their No. 500. It continued to operate there until 2002, when it was found to be due for an overhaul, and it spent several years in storage, disassembled. As of 2024, No. 1316 has been put back together during a cosmetic restoration and it is awaiting the necessary overhaul required to operate it again.

References

  1. Rhodes, John T.; Stephenson, David R. (2013). "Steam Locomotive Rail Wheel Dynamics Part 1: Precedent Speed of Steam Locomotives" (PDF). Coalition for Sustainable Rail: 6. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  2. "Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4-6-4 "Heavy Pacific" Locomotives in the USA". www.steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  3. Hrenchir, Tim. "Effort picking up steam to restore and move historic Topeka locomotive No. 3463". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-17.