The Santa Fe class 3450 consisted of 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 and Colorado; later, some were assigned to service in the San Joaquin Valley of California between Bakersfield and Oakland.

ATSF 3450 class
ATSF No. 3450 on static display at the RailGiants Train Museum
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBaldwin Locomotive Works
Build date1927
Total produced10
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-6-4
 • UIC2′C2′ h2s
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.73 in (1,854 mm), later: 79 in (2,007 mm)
Length97 ft 11 in (29.85 m)
Adhesive weight198,000 lb (90,000 kilograms; 90 metric tons), later: 206,000 lb (93,000 kilograms; 93 metric tons)
Loco weight343,900 lb (156,000 kilograms; 156.0 metric tons), later: 352,600 lb (159,900 kilograms; 159.9 metric tons)
Tender weight283,000 lb (128,000 kilograms; 128 metric tons), later: 298,600 lb (135,400 kilograms; 135.4 metric tons)
Total weight626,500 lb (284,200 kilograms; 284.2 metric tons), later: 651,200 lb (295,400 kilograms; 295.4 metric tons)
Fuel typeCoal (later converted to oil in the 1930s)
Fuel capacity5,000 US gal (19,000 L; 4,200 imp gal)
Water cap.15,000 US gal (57,000 L; 12,000 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area88 sq ft (8.2 m2)
Boiler pressure220 lbf/in2 (1.52 MPa), later: 230 lbf/in2 (1.59 MPa)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size25 in × 28 in (635 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Valve typePiston valves
Performance figures
Maximum speed110 mph (177 km/h)[1]
Tractive effort44,250 lbf (196.8 kN), later: 43,307 lbf (192.6 kN)
Factor of adh.4.42, later: 4.76
Career
OperatorsAtchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Numbers3450–3459
PreservedOne (No. 3450) preserved, remainder scrapped
DispositionNo. 3450 on display at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California

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

The first locomotive built, No. 3450, was donated by the Santa Fe in 1955 to the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society's Southern California chapter, and is preserved at the Society's museum in the Los Angeles County Fair grounds at Pomona, California. The locomotive sits inside the RailGiants Train Museum. It is not operational, but preserved in good condition as a static exhibit. It received a cosmetic restoration between 2013-2021.

Other Images

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References

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  1. ^ "RailGiants Train Museum | Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe #3450".