Santa Fe No. 5000 is a 2-10-4 Texas class locomotive built by Baldwin in 1930. No. 5000 earned itself the nickname "Madame Queen" and remained a unique member of its own class.
History[]
The Santa Fe needed larger engines to handle increasing amounts of traffic. Their answer to the problem was add an extra driving axle to the Berkshire type locomotive. Baldwin produced a prototype engine which was numbered 5000. This engine would be the base design for all Texas class engines made for the Santa Fe. Several additional engines were ordered as a result.
The engines proved their worth by pulling 15% more tonnage in 9% less time, burning 17% less coal then a 2-10-2 3800 series.
Unfortunately, the engines were purchased during the depression and were re classed for several reasons. At the time of their retirements the 5000's were the pinnacle of steam technology on the Santa Fe.
Retired in November 1953, No. 5000 was officially retired April 17, 1957, and was donated to the city of Amarillo, Texas and placed on static display.
Trivia[]
- Renowned by many a railwayman, it was affectionately nicknamed "Madam Queen".
- This engine was the development of a one-off, experimental engine (actually a modified 3800 class 2-10-2), number 3829, built in 1919 with the four-wheel trailing truck - and sparked the development of a larger class of 2-10-4's, known as the 5000's, although 5000 itself is almost a far cry from the later examples, being in a class of its own, and the only engine.
