LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 3751 will make its first public appearance of 2023 at Los Angeles Union Station’s Trainfest Sept. 9-10, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society announced today.
The event, “Trainfest 2023: A Celebration of Past, Present & Future,” will be held each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along with the appearance from No. 3751, it will feature equipment displays from Amtrak, Metrolink, LA Metro,and other railroads and organizations.
Guided tours highlighting station restoration and artwork, model railroad displays, and other activities are also planned.
It will be just the second outing for No. 3751, which became Santa Fe’s first 4-8-4 when built by Baldwin in 1927, since completion of its 1,472-day inspection in 2022. Last September, the locomotive appeared at an Amtrak and Operation Lifesaver event in Fullerton, Calif.
Details involving equipment movements to and from the event have yet to be finalized. For the latest information, visit the SBRHS website, or follow the organization on Facebook or Instagram at @SantaFe3751.
Living in Burbank (just 10-12 miles from Union Station) I’m going to make SURE I get there!!!!
Being put on display at LA Union Station, great news.. but when are we going to see 3751 out on the mainline again, running an excursion? Perhaps San Diego, if they ever get the track problems solve along the Ocean ?
Formed in 1981, the vision of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society (SBRHS) is to promote the historical and social significance of railroads in the southwest through the operation and display of steam locomotive 3751. Operation and display will occur with or without additional vintage rail equipment, either while on excursions or at static locations.
Today, Santa Fe 3751 is one of the premiere steam locomotives operating in the United States and is maintained to a high standard by the all-volunteer crew of the SBRHS. The crew works weekly on the locomotive and support equipment to ensure that when the call comes to take 3751 on the road, the locomotive is always in top condition.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Santa Fe No. 3751 is a class 3751 4-8-4 “Northern” 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 locomotive was then placed on display in San Bernardino until it was restored to operating condition in 1991. It is currently located in the Central City East neighborhood of Los Angeles and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. It holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving 4-8-4 type steam locomotive in the world.
The locomotive is currently owned and operated by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, which uses the locomotive to haul occasional mainline excursion trains. However, a federally mandated 15-year inspection put it out of service for three to four years. No. 3751’s overhaul was completed in September 2022, and it returned to service that month.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Ferrying 2926 to LA would be a good PR move for BNSF. Just an observation.