Santa Fe class 3450

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's 3450 class comprised 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 (1.52 to 1.59 MPa). Combined, these changes reduced the starting tractive effort from 44,250 to 43,300 lbf (196.8 to 192.6 kN), but increased the top speed and efficiency. Their early service was in the Midwest, between Chicago, Illinois and Colorado; later, some were assigned to service in the San Joaquin Valley of California between Bakersfield and Oakland.

ATSF 3450 class
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Build date 1927 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-4  • UIC 2′C2′ h Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 73 in (1,854 mm), later: 79 in (2,007 mm) Length 97 ft 11 in (29.85 m) Adhesive weight 198,000 lb (90,000 kilograms; 90 metric tons) Loco weight 343,900 lb (156,000 kilograms; 156.0 metric tons) Total weight 639,260 lb (289,960 kilograms; 289.96 metric tons) Fuel type Coal (later converted to oil in the 1930s) Fuel capacity 5,000 US gal (19,000 l; 4,200 imp gal) Water cap 15,000 US gal (57,000 l; 12,000 imp gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 88 sq ft (8.2 m^2) Boiler pressure 220 lbf/in^2 (1.52 MPa), later: 230 lbf/in^2 (1.59 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 25 in × 28 in (635 mm × 711 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type Piston valves
Performance figures Tractive effort 44,250 lbf (196.8 kN), later: 43,300 lbf (192.6 kN)
Career Operators Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Numbers 3450–3459 Preserved One (No. 3450) preserved, remainder scrapped Disposition No. 3450 on display receiving a cosmetic restoration at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California

They were smaller and less powerful locomotives than the later 3460 class, but were capable of equivalently high speeds.

The first locomotive built, No. 3450, was donated by the Santa Fe in 1955 to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society's Southern California chapter, and is preserved at the Society's museum in the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds at Pomona, California. The locomotive sits inside the RailGiants Train Museum. It is not in operational condition but is preserved in good condition as a static exhibit. It is currently receiving a cosmetic restoration. Visitors who walk into the cab can ring the bell and blow the classic ATSF 6 chime whistle, which receives pressure from an air compressor.

Other Images

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  3450 4-6-4 steam locomotive
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  Front of #3450
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  Side of #3450

References

• "Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 3450". Southern California Chapter, Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2005-03-17. Retrieved 2006-01-22.
• Barris, Wes. "Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Hudsons". SteamLocomotive.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2006. Retrieved 2006-01-22.
• Glischinski, Steve (1997). Santa Fe Railway. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International. ISBN 978-0-7603-0380-1.