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Steam Power Returns to the Santa Fe Railway |
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In August and September l992, railfans and a wide variety of people with dim memories of the great steam giants that patrolled the mountains and plains of the Santa Fe route between Los Angeles and Chicago welcomed the return of steam motive power to the line. A cooperative effort between The San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society and the AT&SF Ry resulted in the "Employee Recognition Special" headed up by ex-Santa Fe steam locomotive No 375l, assisted by three new 800 class diesel locomotives in traditional warbonnet livery.
The initial run began on 30 August at Hobart, CA, arrived in Chicago on 9 September and returned to Hobart the evening of l6 September. Certainly slower than the runs she made at the point of such famous trains as the Chief, El Tovar, The Grand Canyon Limited, and the Scout, 375l's trip never had been conceived as a speed run. Santa Fe employees joined the train at scheduled stops along the way and rode segments in the districts within which they work. Buses returned them to their point of origin when they completed the ride designed to repay them for their years of service to the company. Overnight stops for servicing, crew rest, and the Topeka Railroad Days also caused a more leisurely pace.
Originally built in l927, No. 375l joined Santa Fe's extensive stable of power for a total cost of $99,7l2.77. Out of service in l953, she languished in a San Bernardino park until the SBRHS bought her in l985 and began the restoration project that culminated in this trip. Exact figures are not available, but a reasonable estimate of the rebuilding cost is somewhere around $500,000. Quite a difference in the original price tag. Rebuilt in l94l with roller bearings and 80" drivers, No 375l delivered 66,000 pounds of tractive effort and ran at speeds up to l03 mph. Although considered by many to be a beautiful lady, she weighs in at a hefty 874,346 pounds with 7l0l gallons of oil and 20,000 gallons of water on board. During this trip she relived the days of yore in the 70 to 80 mph range trailing a gleaming stainless steel consist of vintage streamliner cars.
Following immediately behind the diesels, the train included two baggage cars, six Regal series sleeping cars, the dining car "Fred Harvey", Club Lounge car #62, Dome Lounge car #60, and bringing up the rear, Theater car #89 "William Barstow Strong". Built between l940 and l962, these cars roamed the western rails on several of the famous name trains, such as the Super Chief, and have been maintained since by Santa Fe for the exclusive use of the railroad on specials such as this.
As she sped across Arizona, battalions of railfans chased alongside on the roads (usually old Route 66), throngs of well-wishers gathered at the stations or draped themselves on overpasses along the way, and heartily welcomed No 375l and her crew. This may have been a once-in-a-lifetime event but there is every reason to believe we will have other opportunities to relive the days of steam locomotive power in the coming years via this wonderful rebirth. Sounds of hissing steam and rhythmic pumps, along with the sight of a billowing smoke plume and feel of power which a diesel cannot begin to impart, are all part of the nostalgia most of us feel when in the presence of one of these magnificent machines. No 375l lives on and trails our history behind her as she once again travels familiar routes. For many years Santa Fe's advertising department billed the entire system as "The Grand Canyon Line". Maybe 375l will again ride the rails north to the AT&SF Ry's namesake Canyon as she once did at the head of El Tovar. One can hope.
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Used by permission of the Grand Canyon Pioneers Society.
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