Santa Fe 5000
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 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 2-10-4 steam locomotive #5000 "Madame Queen" waiting in a siding to meet an eastbound train. Ricardo, New Mexico, March 1943. |
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Build date | 1930 |
| Configuration | 2-10-4 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) |
| Driver size | 69 in diameter |
| Wheelbase | 24 ft 6 in (driving wheelbase) |
| Boiler | 108 in diameter |
| Cylinder size | 30 in diameter x 34 in stroke |
| Career | Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway |
| Number | 5000 |
| Retired | April 17, 1957 |
| Current owner | city of Amarillo, Texas |
| Disposition | Static display in Amarillo, Texas |
The Santa Fe 5000 is a 2-10-4 steam locomotive constructed by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1930 for the North American Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Locomotive number 5000 was immediately nicknamed "Madame Queen." [1] and remained a one of a kind member of its own class. The 5000 was donated to the city of Amarillo, Texas in 1957 and is currently maintained by the Railroad Artifact Preservation Society. The Santa Fe 5000 is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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[edit] Construction
The Texas type on the Santa Fe is by design a Berkshire with an additional driving axle, as it was ordered by most railroads.[1] Although Santa Fe 3829 was the first steam locomotive with the 2-10-4 wheel arrangement, Santa Fe 5000 served as the prototype for all further 2-10-4 locomotives rostered by the road.
In 1930, the Santa Fe looked at the contemporary heavy-duty motive power policies of other railroads, and decided that its own needed substantial reappraisal.[1] Additional locomotives were ordered as a result of this study, including the 5000. Santa Fe 5000 was placed in service between Clovis and Vaughn, New Mexico for observation. The result was the company had purchased a locomotive which would pull 15% more tonnage in 9% less time, burning 17% less coal per 1000 gross ton miles than its 3800 series 2-10-2s.[citation needed]
Although the 5000 was a success the 1930s brought the national depression and the Santa Fe adopted a policy of avoiding capital expendetures during this peiod. By the time the next 2-10-4s were delivered in 1938 they were placed in a different class because of many design refinements. With the various classes of 4-8-4 types, the 2-10-4 type represented the pinnacle of modern heavy power development on the Santa Fe Railway System.[2]
[edit] Modifications
The Santa Fe 5000 underwent few modifications during its service life. It received a larger 'square tender' which required the cab roof to be modified with an area that allowed crew members to pass from the cab to the top of the tender. In 1940 the locomotive was converted from coal to oil fuel.
[edit] Preservation
On April 17, 1957, after several years of storage and 1,750,000 miles of service, Santa Fe 5000 was retired and donated to the city of Amarillo, Texas. The Santa Fe 5000 was placed on outdoor static display at the Santa Fe station. In August of 2005 the 5000 was moved by the Railroad Artifact Preservation Society to a new location in Amarillo where they plan to construct a building to house and preserve the locomotive.
 Ricardo, New Mexico. Engineer in his cab about to start the train along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad between Clovis and Vaughn, New Mexico. |
 Canadian, Texas. Engineer John Morris Price bringing the Madame Queen back into Amarillo, TX from Canadian, TX in 1950. |
 Amarillo, Texas. Front view of Santa Fe 5000 on static display, October 2002. |
 Amarillo, Texas. Side view of Santa Fe 5000 on static display, October 2002. |
[edit] Links
- 1979 Article on the Madame Queen
- 1981 Article on putting the Madame Queen on the Nat. Register of Historic Places
- Railroad Artifact Preservation Society of Amarillo, TX
