Abilene & Smoky Valley Cab ride with Santa Fe, 4-6-2,

I heard this locomotive was getting close to its mandatory 15-year overhaul, so I decided I should stop by for a visit. Built by Baldwin in 1919, this high-stepping, Pacific-class locomotive, with its 74" driving wheels was built for speed. With an impressive 40,000 pounds of tractive effort, this locomotive could easily go over 100 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, it doesn't get much of a workout as it travels the prairies of Kansas at less than 10 mph. This is one of the few steam locomotives in operation that looks very much like it did in the 1950's. Dirty, faded paint, rusty, and well worn. All that will change as the locomotive goes into heavy overhaul over the next few years when it gets a total rebuild.
This railroad is located in Abilene, Kansas. For more information click link here asvrr.org

[@David-v2t8h]

Beautiful locomotive…..be nice to see those high drivers turning at a higher speed. Maybe some day

[@EngineerDaylight]

Favorite rhing about this engine is its aesthetic. Always fascinates me to watch the disc drivers spin round. Much more unique look compared to spoked wheels

[@jamescotter5376]

Thanks Tom I appreciate it

[@travelingtom923]

You are welcome.

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@travelingtom923 I believe the 3415 is now in her 1472 day rebuild, but I could be wrong about that

[@donaldcasselman]

Amazing machine. Great presentation 👍

[@infaredxkingz8786]

Santa fe all the way

[@lonewolfe31619]

now this is awesome I think it's already going through that 15 mandatory overhaul now and they want to have donations for the track to be re layed now as well.

[@fastmail55]

How much track do they have and what is the current condition of the track? Where does one send donations?

[@bigolemike33]

Enjoyed the train ride Tom.

[@travelingtom923]

Thank you.

[@DomAZ]

Awesome, thanks for sharing🙂

[@Shipwright1918]

Lot of people fussing about how worn this engine looks, but this would be fairly typical back in the day of a mainline engine that had been "pensioned off" into secondary or branch service after being displaced by bigger or more modern power. They certainly weren't shiny and pretty by then. From what I understand it's a small organization, so to to keep a big ol' girl like a Pacific running at all is a tall order.

[@traintalkproductions5934]

There’s tons of small museums forced to work with what we have and it pisses me off when people shit on us. We’ve been given the short end of the stick time and time again and we’re just trying our best to simply keep running. What you’ve said is the truth, and I hope more people come to realize that.

[@princessofthecape2078]

I love that this locomotive is still running, and I like their operation. But my God does she belong on the main line somewhere doing 100. Just donated $10 to the restoration. I'm destitute, but I get the feeling that they are, too. We poor have to help one another out.

[@FrigginKlar]

That’s really cool

[@hollywood1340]

Holding right at 200psi and a clean stack. Good job to the fireman, a light train with a big engine isn't an easy job.

[@Ndoggy1127]

Actually it is easier to have more power than you need vs too little or pulling close to max tonnage. Props to every fireman but this isn’t a difficult firing run at all due a light concist

[@santobinardi]

Saya suka Lokomotive...dulu saya tinggal di kompleks pabrik gula dan selalu lihat loko tapi kecil....keren

[@goodrails]

Very cool. Noisy place up there.

[@ortingdude]

I mean, the engine is cool. But there are some operating issues visible in this video. First of all, the whistle shouldn't require to hands, you should only have 1 hand on the whistle cord so you have a free hand for brakes and throttle - need to fix the spring. Kinda missed even whistling for a crossing in there till they were in it. OK, that's the first 15 mins.....more to come

[@1chuck96]

A (P.S. to the below post) ..."and how old are her flues and when was the last time she had an ACTUAL FRA inspection? Inquiring minds would like to know.

[@hollywood1340]

It would be a matter of public record. And some FRA requirements are on a yearly basis so this year?

[@travelingtom923]

It was rebuilt in 2009. Not sure if it was re-tubed back then but it more than likey it was. I am not sure if they have any qualified mechanics to work on the steam locomotive. From what I have learned the repair/ maintenance work is done by paid contractors from the Cumbers and Toltec. Engineers are also contractors.

[@jackrigdon6270]

​@@travelingtom923 Durango and Silverton is also overhauling some individual parts. I've met some folks from the Smokey Valley operation. They take their safety seriously. I don't know what 1chuck96's gripe is with, but it's poor form to run around accusing people of having dangerous locomotives.

[@travelingtom923]

@@jackrigdon6270 I would agree.

[@1chuck96]

All I want to know is when was her last FRA mandated inspection and flue time Tell me this...and 'll go away.

[@1chuck96]

HUH !!! The thing hasn't blown-up yet...SHOCKING !!!

[@timpetta2974]

Do you have a point to make?

[@darnelwashoe2781]

This engine is in poor shape

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@darnelwashoe2781 3415 is in her 1472 day inspection now did you know that?

[@toomanytododge2594]

​@darnelwashoe2781 it's maybe in poor cosmetic shape but I'm sure it's structurally sound. But this is how they would all look when they were working. Now everyone thinks they were always shiny

[@PereMarquette1223]

@@toomanytododge2594you don’t know the back story…

[@1chuck96]

A "thrilling" video, but I'm a little busy watching paint dry.

[@nayastellini2610]

Who tf leaves a mean comment on a train video

[@1chuck96]

@@nayastellini2610 You MUST be a very young and ignorant person per your comment. I'm 71 years old and this locomotive is a "ticking timebomb" since nobody can tell me when the last time it had an actual FRA inspection, yet it goes on year after year and nobody seems to care after the boiler blows up...'Guess we'll have to see it on the 6:00 news in the near future. Your thoughts???

[@nayastellini2610]

@1chuck96 yeah youre just not comfortable being old and calm. You must make a change before you meet your end, and when nobody listens it reflects back onto your hurt ego that youre not the man you once were. Heal, do better.

[@somespeedbikefreak9244]

@@1chuck96 3415 Got a list of items the FRA wanted fixed about a year or two ago. FRA does yearly inspections. 3415 is fine.

[@Sparecards]

@@1chuck96He may be young, but at least he seems to have more joy in life than you wish you could have. Sod off you miserable twat and go back to your nursing home.