Santa Fe Class 2900 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 2900 Class |
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Build date | 1943-1944 |
| Total production | 30 |
| Configuration | 4-8-4 |
| UIC classification | 2′D2′ h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Driver diameter | 80 in (2,032 mm) |
| Length | 120 ft 10 in (36.83 m) |
| Axle load | 77,500 lb (35,200 kg) |
| Weight on drivers | 293,860 lb (133,290 kg) |
| Locomotive weight | 510,150 lb (231,400 kg) |
| Tender weight | 464,700 lb (210,800 kg) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 974,850 lb (442,180 kg) |
| Fuel type | Oil |
| Fuel capacity | 7,000 US gal (26,000 L; 5,800 imp gal) |
| Water capacity | 24,500 US gal (93,000 L; 20,400 imp gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 300 lbf/in2 (2.1 MPa) |
| Fire grate area | 108 sq ft (10.0 m2) |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Cylinder size | 28 in × 32 in (711 mm × 813 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaert |
| Valve type | Piston valves |
| Power output | 4,590 hp (3,420 kW) @ 40 mph |
| Tractive effort | 79,968 lbf (355.72 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 3.67 |
| Retired | 1953-1959 |
| Preserved | Six (Nos. 2903, 2912, 2913, 2921, 2925 and 2926) preserved |
| Disposition | Five on display and one (2926) under restoration to operating condition, remainder scrapped |
The Santa Fe 2900 Class was a group of 30 powerful 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotives. They were built between 1943 and 1944 for the Santa Fe Railroad. These amazing engines pulled both freight and passenger trains. They served until they were retired in the mid to late 1950s.
Today, six of these 2900s still exist. Most are on display for people to see. One special locomotive, No. 2926, is being fixed up to run again. When it's fully restored, it will be the biggest working 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive in the United States!
Contents
History of the Santa Fe 2900 Class
Building During World War II
These locomotives were built during World War II. Because of the war, there were shortages of special metals. This meant that regular metals had to be used to build them. This made the 2900 class the heaviest Northern type locomotives ever built. They weighed over 2,000 pounds more than other similar engines! All their axles also had special Timken roller bearings.
From Freight to Passenger Service
Even though these locomotives were designed to pull passenger trains, the war changed their plans. They were urgently needed to haul important freight (goods) until the war ended. After the war was over, they finally got to pull famous passenger trains. These included trains like the Scout and the Grand Canyon Limited.
Retirement of the Steam Giants
By the mid-1950s, newer diesel engines started to take over. Diesel locomotives were more efficient and easier to maintain. Because of this, the Santa Fe 2900 class steam locomotives were gradually retired. By 1959, all of them had been taken out of service.
Preserved Santa Fe 2900 Locomotives
Six of the 2900 class locomotives were saved and preserved. You can visit them at different museums and parks:
- No. 2903 is on display at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois.
- No. 2912 is displayed at the Pueblo Railway Museum in Pueblo, Colorado.
- No. 2913 can be seen at Riverview Park in Fort Madison, Iowa.
- No. 2921 is now displayed at the Modesto Amtrak Station in Modesto, California.
- No. 2925 is displayed at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California.
- No. 2926 was moved from Coronado Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1999. It is now being rebuilt by the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society. This locomotive was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 2007.
Images for kids
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2921 in Modesto
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2921 drive wheels
