Photos and Story By Ken HulseyBack in 2012, the San Bernardino Railroad Days in San Bernardino, California, featured a true star of railroading: the ex-Santa Fe "Northern" locomotive #3751. The event attracted a lively crowd of railroad enthusiasts and photographers who eagerly lined the tracks in front of the beautifully preserved vintage passenger depot, all hoping to capture a glimpse of this remarkable piece of living history. As expected, this proud locomotive of the Santa Fe steamed down the Metrolink tracks from her home in Los Angeles, presenting an impressive sight for all to behold.
As #3751 approached the station, excitement filled the air—photographers jostled for position and snapped away at this iconic steam engine. When the train finally came to a halt, passengers began to disembark from a collection of vintage passenger cars that were once part of some of the most renowned trains in American history, including Burlington's beloved Zephyr and Southern Pacific's famous "Daylight." Many attendees embraced the occasion by dressing in turn-of-the-century clothing, and a few even donned cowboy costumes, creating a vibrant and fun atmosphere at the event.
For photographers present, having a classic steam locomotive right in front of them was a dream come true. However, as the blazing California sun overhead intensified and temperatures soared into the nineties, even the most dedicated railfans sought refuge in the shade with cooling drinks.
Locomotive #3751 has a remarkable history, having spent a significant portion of her retirement as a static display right across from that very depot. So, whenever this beloved engine returns to her old stomping grounds, it’s a delightful occasion appreciated by all. Initially, the original 4-8-4 locomotives, including #3751, began their journeys on the Grand Canyon Limited route between Los Angeles and Wellington, Kansas—a distance of 1,534 miles—starting in January 1940. After undergoing a rebuild, #3751 rejoined this prestigious roster.
In terms of operational duties, #3751 occasionally found herself on trains bound for La Junta from Los Angeles. However, after the delivery of ten new 4-8-4 locomotives in the summer of 1941, her assignments became less frequent. By May 23, 1942, the original 4-8-4s began operating directly from Los Angeles to Kansas City via Amarillo, achieving an impressive new record for steam locomotive runs at 1,789 miles.
During World War II, these powerful engines were responsible for hauling both the Scout and the Grand Canyon Limited trains. While on-time performance sometimes suffered due to lengthy stops to process heavy mail and express shipments, it was rare for one of these locomotives to break down at an intermediate station.
In August 1943, these fourteen engines averaged an impressive 18,435 miles each, with repair costs of only 23 cents per mile—quite a bargain compared to the 32.4 cents per mile spent on repairs for 3,600-horsepower diesel engines that were managing lightweight trains at that time. Following the war, the larger 2900 class 4-8-4s were assigned to the Scout and Grand Canyon Limited as of September 23, 1945, allowing them to be redirected from freight service. With the arrival of new passenger diesels in the fall of 1946, ten of the original 4-8-4s transitioned to freight operations, marking yet another chapter of their storied legacy.
San Bernardino Railroad Days remains an incredible opportunity to relive these fascinating moments in rail history, and the appearance of #3751 just adds to the excitement and nostalgia.
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