ABILENE, Kan. — Former Santa Fe 4-6-2 No. 3415 has entered the final phases of its Federal Railroad Administration 1,472-day inspection and rebuilding. The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad plans to have the locomotive operational by Labor Day 2027.
“Santa Fe 3415 is an important icon for Abilene, the State of Kansas, and the storied history of the steam power that built our nation’s agricultural and manufacturing infrastructure,” said A&SV President and General Manager Ross Boelling, in an interview with KSAL Radio. “The 2024 Kansas Legislature named our engine an official icon of Kansas to commemorate the role of railroads in building Kansas, and the Santa Fe Railroad in particular as a legacy Kansas company. We’re eager to get the engine back up and running so we may continue to live up to this mission.”
The A&SV has retained the services of steam crew members from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to help complete the rebuild. The D&SNG team, who work on steam locomotives daily, will work with A&SV volunteers. The current plan is to have the rebuild mostly completed by Jan. 1, 2027. The balance of the time leading up to Labor Day will be devoted to testing, final adjustments, and FRA certification.
“These guys work with steam engines every day, and they will help our volunteer staff restore the engine without further delay,” Boelling says. “Of course, their help in getting the engine back in service will add more cost to the project, but it’s worth it.”
Returning No. 3415 to service is operationally important to the railroad, as well. Boelling indicates that the A&SV’s steam powered trains accounted for roughly 75% of the railroad’s 2023 excursion ticket sales.
The 107-year-old locomotive was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1919. It was the 16th engine in Santa Fe’s 50-locomotive 3400-class of 4-6-2s. Originally assigned to top passenger trains, No. 3415 first worked between Kansas City, Mo., and La Junta, Colo. As diesel locomotives replaced steam engines, No. 3415 could be found hauling freight and mail trains through Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The Santa Fe donated it to the City of Abilene in 1955 for placement in Eisenhower Park. After restoration, No. 3415 made its first trip on the A&SV in May 2009.
The railroad has already received nearly $225,000 toward the inspection and rebuild project. Additional funding will be required to complete the work. For more information on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad or to make a contribution to No. 3415’s rebuilding, visit the railroad’s website.
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