The Santa Fe (ATSF) No. 3450 is a type of 4-6-4 "Hudson" steam locomotive. Also commonly referred to as "Heavy Pacific's". It was built in 1927 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway.
The locomotive began its career hauling the Santa Fe's crack passenger trains across the Midwest between Chicago, IL, and Colorado, but they were soon overshadowed by the AT&SF's growing stable of class 3751 Northern type (4-8-4) locomotives as well as the larger and more powerful 3460 class Hudsons.
Some of the 3450s were later assigned to passenger and freight service on the Santa Fe's Valley Division, working the 270 miles up the San Joaquin Valley from Bakersfield through Fresno to Oakland, CA.
Retirements started in the early 1950's and all of the 3450's were withdrawn from service by 1956 after running up some impressive mileage: when it was retired in 1953, #3450 had accumulated more than 2.4 million miles in service, when it presently went into storage until being donated by the Santa Fe in 1955.
Today it's on static display at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, CA, and it is owned by the Southern California Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.
Trivia[]
- The locomotive is the first of ten light Hudson type (4-6-4) locomotives built for the AT&SF by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Another heavier series of engines with the same wheel arrangement were delivered from the same builder - the 3460 Class.
- Only two Santa Fe Hudsons have survived: #3463 and as well as #3450.
- Visitors who walk into the cab of the locomotve can ring the bell and blow the classic ATSF 6 chime whistle, which receives pressure from an air compressor.
