Bolivia Railways - FCAB -
North British 2-8-4T narrow gauge steam Locomotive #34 built in 1927 at Antofagasta shop
Photo by J.McMillan.
July 2024, Midland Pullman HST/125 at Carstairs, Scotland UK. A classic livery from a prestigious express between 1960 and 1966, applied to a recently retired but preserved HST set to do railtours up and down the country.
VIA Rail locomotives 6400 and 6416 at the Halifax terminal in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, preparing the Ocean, Via Rail's eastern transcontinental train, which runs between Montreal and Halifax...
This a Santa Fe (ATSF) 4-8-4 "Northern" type, pulling a freight train. The locomotive is painted in a distinctive blue and yellow livery, which is characteristic of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (commonly known as Santa Fe) during a particular period. Let’s break down the details:
Description of the Image
Locomotive: The steam engine is a 4-8-4 "Northern" type, identifiable by its wheel arrangement (4 leading wheels, 8 driving wheels, 4 trailing wheels). The number "3463" is visible on the side, indicating its specific identification.
Livery: The locomotive is painted in a blue and yellow scheme with a red stripe, a design used by Santa Fe for some of its steam engines in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The front features the Santa Fe cross logo, a well-known emblem of the railway.
Smoke: Thick black smoke is billowing from the chimney, indicating the engine is working hard, likely pulling a heavy freight train.
Train: The train consists of a long line of freight cars, which appear to be boxcars, suggesting this is a freight haul rather than a passenger service.
Setting: The landscape is open and rural, with grassy fields and a clear sky, typical of the American Midwest or Southwest where Santa Fe operated extensively.
About Santa Fe 3463
History:
Santa Fe 3463 is part of the 3460 class of 4-8-4 locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. This class was constructed in 1937, designed for high-speed freight and passenger service.
The 3460 class was known for its streamlined design, with some engines, including 3463, receiving a distinctive blue and yellow paint scheme to match the aesthetic of Santa Fe’s passenger trains like the Super Chief.
These locomotives were among the most powerful steam engines of their time, capable of speeds up to 100 mph, though they typically operated at lower speeds for freight.
Service:
The 3460 class served through the 1940s and early 1950s, a period when steam was being phased out in favor of diesel-electric locomotives. Santa Fe 3463 was retired in 1956.
After retirement, 3463 was donated to the city of Topeka, Kansas, where it was displayed at the Kansas Expocentre (formerly the Shawnee County Fairgrounds).
Current Status:
As of March 22, 2025, Santa Fe 3463 is under restoration by the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR) and the Santa Fe 3463 Project. The goal is to return it to operational condition, making it one of the few 4-8-4s still capable of running. The restoration began in 2012, and the locomotive was moved to the Colebrookdale Railroad in Pennsylvania for this purpose.
The project aims to use 3463 for educational and experimental purposes, including testing biofuels and modern steam technology to demonstrate sustainable rail practices.
Programs and Affiliations
Programs: There are no specific "programs" associated with the locomotive itself while it was in service, as it was a working engine. However, the current restoration effort by the Santa Fe 3463 Project involves educational outreach, including public updates, fundraising events, and plans for future excursions once the locomotive is operational.
Affiliations:
Historically, 3463 was operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which merged into the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway in 1996.
The restoration is led by the Coalition for Sustainable Rail, a nonprofit focused on advancing steam technology, in partnership with the Colebrookdale Railroad, a heritage railway in Pennsylvania.
Additional Context
The image appears to be a colorized photograph, likely from the 1940s, given the style and condition of the train. The copyright notice in the bottom right corner ("© 2017" suggests this might be a restored or digitally enhanced version of an older photo.
Santa Fe’s 3460 class was notable for its role in bridging the steam-to-diesel transition, and 3463’s blue livery made it a standout among other engines of the era.
Railroads, Subways & Trolleys Past & Present - Pictures and discussion for railfans.