The classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! Santa Fe Railway steam locomotives were likewise distinguished by a wide range of numerical classes (the Santa Fe Railway was one of a few large railroads of its day to distinguish its steam types by numbers rather than letters). In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of the AT&SF's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, distinctively known as the Santa Fe or ATSF, likely is not only this country’s but also the world’s most recognized and famous railroad. It has had its own movie, song, and numerous model trains and other purchasable gifts created in its honor. The railroad’s renowned Warbonnet livery has been made in several variations ranging from the more popular silver and red with yellow trim to the blue and yellow. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, albeit no longer an operating company, is truly a railroad whose name is as common as that of Coca Cola or General Electric.
Give the Santa Fe's size it shouldn't be surprising that the railroad likewise owned a large and varied fleet of steam locomotives from small switchers to large articulateds like massive 2-10-10-2s. Not only did the AT&SF have a large steam locomotive fleet, today it has no less than 59 being in some state of preservation with two in operation and several more undergoing restoration. To learn more about these surviving Santa Fe Railway steam locomotives please click here.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Steam Locomotive Classes
Class 507
The Santa Fe's Class 507 designated its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics.
Class 591
The Santa Fe's Class 591 designated its fleet of 2-6-0 Moguls.
Class 789
The Santa Fe's Class 789 designated its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.
Class 882
The Santa Fe's Class 882 designated its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.
Class 900
The Santa Fe's Class 900 designated its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 985
The Santa Fe's Class 985 designated more of its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 987
The Santa Fe's Class 987 designated its fleet of 2-10-0 Decapods.
Class 1000
The Santa Fe's Class 1000 designated its fleet of 2-6-2 Prairies.
Class 1050
The Santa Fe's Class 1050 designated more of its fleet of 2-6-2 Prairies.
Class 1170
The Santa Fe's Class 1170 designated its fleet of 2-6-6-2 heavy articulateds.
Class 1200
The Santa Fe's Class 1200 designated its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.
Class 1226
The Santa Fe's Class 1226 designated more of its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.
Class 1396
The Santa Fe's Class 1396 designated its unique 4-4-6-2 Mallet.
Class 1600
The Santa Fe's Class 1600 designated more of its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 1790
The Santa Fe's Class 1790 designated its fleet of 2-8-8-2 heavy articulateds.
Class 1798
The Santa Fe's Class 1790 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-8-2 heavy articulateds.
Class 2110
The Santa Fe's Class 2110 designated its fleet of 0-6-0 switchers.
Class 2439
The Santa Fe's Class 2439 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.
Class 2442
The Santa Fe's Class 2442 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.
Class 2445
The Santa Fe's Class 2445 designated more of its fleet of 2-6-0 Moguls.
Class 2450
The Santa Fe's Class 2450 designated more of its fleet of 0-6-0T switchers.
Class 2535
The Santa Fe's Class 2535 designated its fleet of 0-8-0 switchers.
Class 2900
The Santa Fe's Class 2900 designated its fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns.
Class 3000
The Santa Fe's Class 3000 designated its fleet of massive 2-10-10-2 heavy articulateds.
Class 3020
The Santa Fe's Class 3020 designated more of its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 3100
The Santa Fe's Class 3100 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.
Class 3129
The Santa Fe's Class 3129 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.
Class 3160
The Santa Fe's Class 3160 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.
Class 3290
The Santa Fe's Class 3290 designated more of its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 3291
The Santa Fe's Class 3291 designated more of its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 3296
The Santa Fe's Class 3296 designated its fleet of 2-8-8-0 articulateds.
Class 3300
The Santa Fe's Class 3300 designated more of its fleet of 2-6-6-2 heavy articulateds.
Class 3400
The Santa Fe's Class 3400 designated more of its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.
Class 3450
The Santa Fe's Class 3450 designated more of its fleet of 4-6-4 Hudsons.
Class 3460
The Santa Fe's Class 3460 designated more of its fleet of 4-6-4 Hudsons. Included within this class was AT&SF #3460, dubbed the "Blue Goose", it was painted light blue and was the only streamlined steam locomotive the railroad ever owned.
Class 3500
The Santa Fe's Class 3500 designated more of its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.
Class 3600
The Santa Fe's Class 3600 designated more of its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.
Class 3700
The Santa Fe's Class 3700 designated its fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains.
Class 3751
The Santa Fe's Class 3751 designated more of its fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns.
Class 3765
The Santa Fe's Class 3765 designated more of its fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns.
Class 3776
The Santa Fe's Class 3776 designated more of its fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns.
Class 3800
The Santa Fe's Class 3800 designated more of its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
Class 4101
The Santa Fe's Class 4101 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-4 Berkshires.
Class 4000
The Santa Fe's Class 4000 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.
Class 4193
The Santa Fe's Class 4193 designated more of its fleet of 2-8-4 Berkshires.
Class 5000, 5001, 5011
These classes designated Santa Fe's fleet of 2-10-4 Texas Types.
For more reading on the Santa Fe Railway you might want to consider Santa Fe Railway from Steve Glischinski. Of course, being that the Santa Fe is our country's most legendary railroad hundreds of publications (many quite good) have been written about it over the years detailing various subjects. However, this book will at least give you a general overview and history of the Santa Fe (filled with many, excellent, historical and colorful photographs) at which point you can decide if you are interested in further books of study on the railroad. Even if you are a historian of the ATSF and have not seen this book I'm sure you will enjoy it!
And, for more reading on the Santa Fe's famous Super Chief please consider purchasing a copy of Santa Fe Chiefs from author Bill Yenne. The book not only covers the famous flagship but also a number of other Chiefs operated by the Santa Fe. For anyone interested in the Santa Fe and/or its passenger operations you will very likely enjoy this book, which is also filled with photographs. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing these books please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".