View source for Santa Fe class 3460

{{Infobox locomotive
| name = ATSF 3460 class
| powertype = Steam
| image = Santa Fe 3460 Baldwin.jpg
| caption = ATSF 3460, the “Blue Goose”
| builder = [[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
| serialnumber = 62083-62088
| builddate = 1937
| totalproduction = 6
| whytetype = [[4-6-4]]
| uicclass = 2′C2′ h
| gauge = {{Track gauge|56.5in|allk=on}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|37|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter = {{convert|84|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = {{convert|40|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = ''Loco:'' {{convert|41|ft|1+1/2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| length = ''Loco:'' {{convert|55|ft|3+1/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}};<br />''Loco & tender:'' {{convert|102|ft|6+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|15|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}} <br /> {{convert|16|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}} over raised stack extension
| width = {{convert|10|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| axleload = {{convert|70266|lb|kg t|abbr=in|sp=us}}
| weightondrivers = {{convert|210800|lb|kg t|abbr=in|sp=us}}
| locoweight = {{convert|417300|lb|kg t|abbr=in|sp=us}}
| tenderweight = {{convert|396246|lb|kg t|abbr=in|sp=us}}
| locotenderweight = {{convert|813546|lb|kg t|abbr=in|sp=us}}
| fueltype = [[Fuel oil|Oil]]
| fuelcap = {{convert|7000|usgal|abbr=on}}
| watercap = {{convert|20000|usgal|abbr=on}}
| tendercap = {{convert|7,000|usgal|abbr=on}} oil, {{convert|20,000|usgal|abbr=on}} water
| boiler = {{convert|88|in|0|abbr=on}}
| boilerpressure = {{convert|300|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
| firearea = {{convert|99.5|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| cylindercount = Two, outside
| cylindersize = {{convert|23.5|x|29.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| valvegear = [[Walschaerts valve gear|Walschaerts]]
| valvetype = [[Piston valve (steam engine)|Piston valves]]
| maxspeed = {{convert|120|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rhodes |first1=John T. |last2=Stephenson |first2=David R. |date=2013 |title=Steam Locomotive Rail Wheel Dynamics Part 1: Precedent Speed of Steam Locomotives |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55e5ef3fe4b0d3b9ddaa5954/t/55e63647e4b06159647b2fb9/1441150535974/WP_SLRWD_1.pdf |journal=Coalition for Sustainable Rail |volume= |issue= |pages=6 |doi= |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref>
| poweroutput = {{convert|3600|hp|abbr=on}} @ {{convert|50|mph|abbr=on}} (drawbar)
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|49456|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion = 4.26
| operator = [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]]
| operatorclass = 3460 class
| fleetnumbers = 3460–3465
| preservedunits = 3463, in [[Topeka, Kansas]]
| disposition = One preserved, remainder [[scrapped]]
}}

The [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]]'s '''3460 class''' comprised six [[4-6-4]] "Super Hudson" type [[steam locomotive]]s built in [[1937 in rail transport|1937]] by the [[Baldwin Locomotive Works]] for service between [[La Junta, Colorado]] and [[Chicago, Illinois]], a fairly flat division of the railroad suited for the 4-6-4 type. They were substantially larger than the road's earlier [[ATSF 3450 class|3450 class]] locomotives, and all were built oil-fired, although in a manner that would allow for easy conversion to [[coal]] firing. All were fitted with [[SKF]] [[roller bearing]]s on every axle.

They had much in common with the [[Milwaukee Road]]'s [[Milwaukee Road class F7|class F7]] and the [[Chicago and North Western Railway]]'s [[CNW Class E-4|class E-4]], all three types being fast, 84-inch drivered 4-6-4s for Midwestern service with 300&nbsp;lb/in<sup>2</sup> boiler pressures.

In December 1937, locomotive #3461 set a world record for the longest single run by a steam locomotive by completing the {{convert|2227|mi}} from [[Los Angeles, California]] to Chicago without maintenance other than five refuelling stops en route, hauling Train #8, the Fast Mail Express. An average speed of {{convert|45|mph|abbr=on}} was obtained, including stops; maximum speed during the run was {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on}}. During [[Grade (slope)|steeply graded]] portions of the run it was assisted by [[Bank engine|helper locomotives]]. Such long distance runs were a goal of railway operating departments to reduce locomotive numbers and through increased locomotive usage, reduce overall costs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4-6-4 "Heavy Pacific" Locomotives in the USA|url=https://www.steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=4-6-4&railroad=atsf#449|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.steamlocomotive.com}}</ref>

The first locomotive, #3460, was built [[Streamliner|streamlined]]; painted light, robin's egg blue and silver, it became known as the "Blue Goose". It was the Santa Fe's only streamlined steam locomotive, featuring extensively in railroad publicity.

Locomotive #3461 was fitted with a streamlined "skyline" casing along the top of the boiler, encasing stack and domes, in an experiment to see if it helped clear smoke away from the locomotive. It was not retained. All of the locomotives otherwise had a Santa Fe-style telescoping stack extension fitted, which elongated the stack to clear smoke better and could be lowered to pass under low bridges and tunnels.

The 3460 class 4-6-4s, the 3765 class [[4-8-4]]s, and the 5001 class [[2-10-4]]s were designed and ordered around the same time and had much in common in their designs; in addition, they used the same six-axle tender design. The classes together were often called the "Big Three".

Only one of this class survives, #3463 is on static display on the grounds to the Southeast of the [[Kansas Expocentre]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]]. It was initially planned to be restored to operating condition by the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR), but after several years of delay and negotiations, the group was renamed to the Kaw Valley Rail Heritage Conservancy (KVRHC). The group's new intentions are to move #3463 to a more visible and protected site, build a shelter over the locomotive to protect it from the elements and cosmetically restore it to its 1956 appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hrenchir |first=Tim |title=Effort picking up steam to restore and move historic Topeka locomotive No. 3463 |url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/11/10/efforts-underway-to-restore-and-move-topeka-railroad-engine/76044327007/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=The Topeka Capital-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Number!!Baldwin serial number!!Date built!!Disposition!!Notes
|-
|3460||62083||1937||Sold for scrap.||Streamlined, nicknamed "Blue Goose".
|-
|3461||62084||1937||Sold for scrap.||Ran the longest single run by a steam locomotive from Los Angeles to Chicago without maintenance.
|-
|3462||62085||1937||Sold for scrap.||
|-
|3463||62086||1937||On static display on the grounds to the Southeast of the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kansas. Awaiting cosmetic restoration.||
|-
|3464||62087||1937||Sold for scrap.||
|-
|3465||62088||1937||Sold for scrap.||
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

* {{cite book|author=Westcott, Linn H.|year=1960|title=Model Railroader Cyclopedia - Volume 1: Steam Locomotives|publisher=Kalmbach Books|isbn=0-89024-001-9}}
* {{Glischinski-Santa Fe}}

{{clear}}

[[Category:Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway locomotives|3460 class]]
[[Category:Baldwin locomotives]]
[[Category:4-6-4 locomotives]]
[[Category:2′C2′ locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1937]]
[[Category:Steam locomotives of the United States]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of the United States]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives]]
[[Category:Streamlined steam locomotives]]