Newly Restored Santa Fe 3415 to Steam May 23
Santa-Fe-3415 Abilene, Kansas, in 2000
ABILENE, Kan. – After a successful test run in December, the Wichita Eagle is reporting that the tourist hauler Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad will steam the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4-6-2 “Pacific” No. 3415 for the first time in more than 50 years on May 23. It will be the start of once-monthly rides behind the engine over A&SV’s five-mile ex-Rock Island route to Enterprise, Kan.
The 1919-built Baldwin sat in an Abilene park from 1954 until 1996. Volunteers restored it over the past four years at a cost of around $300,000. Engine 3415 will become one of only three operational former Santa Fe steam locomotives in the nation, and the only one in Kansas.
A ticket for the inaugural run will cost $100 and will be available through the railroad’s Web site at www.asvrr.org. Other rides on the steam locomotive that weekend will be offered for $45 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 to 11. Children under 2 can ride free.
