NNG - ATSF #3751

Hi, All -

Per a request from BelenEagle (David Young) on another thread - and not wishing to
hijack said thread any more than I already have - here are a few pics of #3751 under-
going preliminary evaluation for possible restoration. This was prior to the organizing
of the San Bernardino RR Histörical Society as a legal, non-profit entity.


As an historical artifact, ATSF is one of the more important steam locomotives running today. She was not only Santa Fe's first 4-8-4 and Baldwin's first 4-8-4,* she was the first 4-8-4 built as an oil-burner.** Originally equipped with 72" drivers, she was extensively rebuilt in the early 1940's with a one-piece cast steel engine bed (frame), 80" drivers, roller bearings on all axles, and a larger tender.


IIRC, #3751 was given a major overhaul by the Santa Fe in 1956 at their San Bernardino shops, in anticipation of her being needed for helper service over Cajon Pass during the peak months in late summer and early fall, but a dip in the economy made this unnecessary. By 1957 there were enough diseasels available that she was stored serviceable, and was never fired up again before being donated to the City of San Bernardino. When the left cylinder head was removed in 1982 - twenty five years after she was retired (and over twenty-five years ago!!) - chalk marks identifying the piston as being for the left side of #3751 were still visible!

- Russo

* Did Baldwin deliver her with the green jacket customary in the nineteen-teens and 'twenties? Only The Shadow knows ...

** Corrected per a post from Jeff Taylor. Thank you for the update, Jeff!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2012 12:19PM by Russo Loco.