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Santa Fe Railway Steam Locomotives

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 Atchison, Topeka & 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.

Given 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.

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 complete roster information regarding Santa Fe Railway steam locomotives please click here.

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 about the history of the steam locomotive consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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