ATSF MOTIVE POWER DEVELOPMENT | Ep 3 | The Beginning of Santa Fe's Mechanical Department.

The story of Santa Fe's motive power development continues with the start of an institution that would shape American railroading: the legendary Mechanical Department. This episode commemorates the appointment of Harry V. Faries as Master Mechanic on July 1, 1870. "In this video, Sam, the author of 'The Madame Queen – ATSF 5000' and historian from the History Channel’s Mega Movers, shares his unparalleled knowledge of the AT&SF 5000 and Santa Fe Motive Power." As established in the first episode, the American Standard 4-4-0 was woefully insufficient for the steep grades of Raton Pass. Even running two 4-4-0s would not provide the power needed to effectively transport loaded railcars over the newly acquired route. To meet this severe challenge, the Santa Fe placed an order for ten powerful 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. We dive into the story of the first of this order: Locomotive No. 132. After two decades of grueling service on Raton Pass, No. 132 was eventually retired from mainline duty. We follow its final years and learn the inspiring story of how it was preserved as Santa Fe's oldest surviving steam locomotive to this day! This series is dedicated to the Santa Fe Railway's Mechanical Engineering Department—the unsung heroes who produced the finest steam locomotives ever built and later paved the way for diesel development starting in the 1930s. We will cover the entire motive power story from 1869 to 1994. Support Our Channel ✅ Visit our store! https://santaferatonsub.square.site/ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 0:12 Beginning of Santa Fe's Mechanical Department. 0:46 George Hackney, replaces Faries on November 1, 1878 just as Santa Fe acquires ownership of Raton Pass and needs more powerful locomotives. 1:03 Rapid growth of the nation causes the Santa Fe Railroad to need more equipment and locomotives with much more power. 1:27 Santa Fe orders ten new 2-8-0 steam locomotives from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1880. 2:22 2-8-0, number 132 is delivered and become the first locomotive built to Santa Fe Mechanical Department specifications and serves on Raton Pass for 20-years. 3:41 After 60-years of service on the Santa Fe, John Purcell orders 132 to be restored and preserved as Santa Fe's oldest surviving locomotives. 4:10 John Purcell's career highlights. 5:31 Preservation story of 132. 7:26 Santa Fe donates the 132 to the Kansas Historical Society in 1983. 8:03 Successful design of 132 and her nine sisters were still not enough to meet the power demands of Raton Pass. Santa Fe still needs more powerful locomotives. 9:04 Photo Credits Recommended Links: 1. https://trainweb.us/utahrails/drgw/wa... #SantaFeRailway #ATSF132 #280Consolidation #SteamLocomotive #RailroadPreservation #RatonPass #ATSFMechanical #TrainHistory #MotivePower #BaldwinLocomotive -- About the Creator -- I am a published Santa Fe historian (Author of "The Madame Queen - ATSF 5000"), a technical consultant for The History Channel’s "Mega Movers," and a former commercial layout builder. My mission is to use my 30 years of prototype restoration experience and research to bring the Santa Fe’s legendary Raton Subdivision to life in HO scale.